Antibiotic-impregnated cement use in U.S. hospitals

Abstract

The results of a survey of the use of antibiotic-impregnated bone cement and cement beads in U.S. hospitals are reported. A random sample of hospitals was selected from all hospitals registered with the American Hospital Association. A questionnaire designed to characterize the extent of use of the products and the degree of pharmacy involvement was mailed to the pharmacy directors at 547 hospitals nationwide. The response rate was 61.7% (336 evaluable returns). Ninety hospitals (26.9%) reported using antibiotic-impregnated bone cement or cement beads. Product use was significantly greater in urban hospitals, hospitals larger than 200 beds, teaching hospitals, and hospitals with pharmaceutical services in the operating rooms. Most facilities using the products were community hospitals. Total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, and chronic osteomyelitis were the most common indications for use. Systemic antibiotics were also administered in the great majority of hospitals reporting use of the products. The products were generally used in fewer than one procedure per month. Aminoglycosides and various cephalosporins were the antibiotics most commonly used; most have not been adequately studied for this use. Although nearly all the hospital pharmacies purchased antibiotics for these products, none mixed cement and only two premanufactured antibiotic beads. About one fourth of the hospitals surveyed reported using antibiotic-impregnated bone cement and cement beads, although the total number of patients being treated was small.