Adherence to Empiric Antibiotics Prescription Guidelines in Hospitalized Patients with Pneumonia at Secondary Care Hospitals in Al Jouf Region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Abstract Background: Adherence to therapeutic protocols is essential for the effective treatment of pneumonia, as it contributes to decreased mortality rates, shorter hospital stays, and reduced antibiotic therapy duration. Despite its significance, there remains a high rate of nonadherence to these guidelines worldwide. Presently, no data exist regarding physician adherence to pneumonia management guidelines in the Al Jouf region of Saudi Arabia. Thus, our objective was to evaluate compliance with empirical antibiotic prescription guidelines for patients with pneumonia. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to May 2023 in three secondary care hospitals in the Al Jouf region, Saudi Arabia. Data on patients admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia were extracted from the electronic medical records and pharmacy departments of the hospitals using structured proforma. The results are presented using descriptive statistics as frequencies and percentages. Differences in proportions were compared using a one-sample t-test, with the level of significance set at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 197 patients were studied, with a male-to-female ratio of 0.9:1. Most patients were admitted with nosocomial pneumonia 126/197 (63.9%). Cephalosporins, glycopeptides, and quinolones are the most commonly prescribed classes of antibiotics. Most patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) were prescribed a combination of ceftriaxone and moxifloxacin, whereas most patients with nosocomial pneumonia received meropenem and vancomycin. Adherence to the guidelines was low. A higher adherence to the guidelines was observed in patients with CAP. Conclusion: The study indicated low adherence to guidelines for the management of inpatients with pneumonia in the Al Jouf region, Saudi Arabia.