Abstract
Antimicrobial agents are reported to be the commonest prescribed medication among physicians. Studies have shown that up to 50% of antimicrobial agents prescriptions are inappropriate. The study was a retrospective cross-sectional design. Records of all patients admitted to both the medical and paediatrics wards during the period of audit were reviewed after discharge from the hospital. The appropriateness of the prescribed antimicrobial agents given to them was determined by a microbiologist who was independent of the team that managed the patients. More than 50% of antimicrobial agents prescribed for our inpatients were inappropriate. The most common test done to investigate infections in these patients was complete blood count and the most common class of antimicrobial agents prescribed was cephalosporin. Based on the outcomes of this study we recommend constituting a drug and therapeutics committee to develop an antimicrobial stewardship policy and the guideline for implementing the policy for a more rational use of these agents. Key words: Antimicrobial agents, physicians, prescriptions.
Highlights
Antimicrobial agents (AA) are reported to be the commonest prescribed medication among physicians (Odusanya and Oyediran, 2000; Arroll and GoodyearSmith, 2000)
The assessment of the antimicrobial agents prescription performed by a microbiologist independent of the team that managed the patients revealed that less than half, 46% of the antimicrobial agents prescribed during the study period was appropriate; there was no sufficient data available to assess the AA prescription for 13% of the patients (Table 2)
This study showed that inappropriate prescriptions of antimicrobial agents are still common among physicians in our centre
Summary
Antimicrobial agents (AA) are reported to be the commonest prescribed medication among physicians (Odusanya and Oyediran, 2000; Arroll and GoodyearSmith, 2000). Studies on drug use indicators showed that inappropriate use of AA is common,with the rate of inappropriate prescription of these agents exceeding 50% in many centres (Pulcini et al, 2007; Akinyede et al, 2000; Ohaju-Obodo et al, 2008; Hawkey, 2008). This study sought to audit the prescription pattern of antimicrobial agents for patients admitted to our hospital wards. The study broad objective was to determine the rate of inappropriate use of AA at our centre and to use findings from this study as a basis for recommending appropriate steps to reduce this practise. The specific objectives were to determine the appropriateness of the use of the AA in our hospital settings, pattern of use of these agents and assessment of laboratory investigations for assessing possible infection in patients before prescribing AA. The study design was a retrospective cross-sectional review of case records of patients treated with AA during their hospital stay
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
