EVALUATION OF ANTIBIOTIC EFFICACY AND PRESCRIBING PATTERN IN SKIN AND SKIN STRUCTURE INFECTIONS AT A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy and prescribing pattern of antibiotics in the skin and skin structure infections (SSTIs) at tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: In this prospective observational study, an attempt was made to evaluate the efficacy and prescribing pattern of antibiotics. Subjects were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and patient case sheets were analyzed for patient demographic details, results of physical examination and laboratory parameters, and prescription pattern. Results: Cellulitis was the most common skin and skin structure infection among the subjects, followed by an ulcer. Few patients showed discomforts such as pain, swelling, and purulent discharge. Surgical procedure has been done in 76 patients. Out of 99 patients, 11 patients showed a prolonged length of stay (LOS) (≥16 d), which is an indication of the poor efficacy of antibiotics. Intravenous to oral antibiotic therapy switch was seen in 47 patients, which indicates that the patient’s condition was improved. The mean length of hospital stay was 8.79 d. The majority of patients have been discharged within 15 d. Cephalosporins were the most frequently prescribed class of antibiotics in patients with skin and soft tissue infections. Metronidazole was the most frequently used antibiotic as monotherapy followed by cefuroxime. Piperacillin+Tazobactam was the most frequently used combination antibiotic. This study finds that the antibiotic treatment was efficacious in the majority of the patients. Conclusion: This study finds that the antibiotic treatment was efficacious in the majority of the patients.