Prescription pattern analysis of antibiotic use in a paediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India

Sindhu S.; Syed Mohsin Ahmed

doi:10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20182016

Authors

Sindhu S. Department of Pharmacology, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, India
Syed Mohsin Ahmed Department of Pharmacology, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20182016

Keywords:

Antibiotic resistance, Paediatric antibiotic overuse, Prescription pattern analysis, Rational antibiotic use

Abstract

Background: Antibiotic resistance is rising to alarming levels that necessitates the evaluation of prescription patterns for the rational use of antibiotics. Hence this study was conducted to evaluate antibiotic use in a government run general hospital.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted to evaluate the rationality of antimicrobial prescription in a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a government run tertiary care teaching hospital using the USAID indicators for rational use of antibiotics. Case records of 104 patients were documented and analysed.

Results: The most common antimicrobials prescribed were 3^rd generation Cephalosporins namely Ceftriaxone, followed by Aminoglycosides (Amikacin), Imipenams (Meropenam), Anti-Influenza Antiviral (Oseltamivir) and Oxazolidinones (Linezolid). A common trend of antibiotic overuse emerged due to paucity of resources to support decision making and choice of antibiotic. This led to patients being exposed to a high number of antibiotics with an associated increase in morbidity.

Conclusions: Antibiotic resistance would remain a challenge until systems for rapid, precise and low cost detection of the causative micro-organisms and antibiotic sensitivity are developed, surveillance systems are increased and antibiotic stewardship programs are enforced.

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