engleski

Antibiotic prescribing in pediatric hospitalized patients

Monitoring of antibiotic drug prescribing is of growing concern due to resistance, adverse reactions and cost. Thus, strict antibiotic policies are warranted. Prior to their implementation, detailed knowledge of antibiotic prescribing patterns is required. In this prospective, pilot study the utilization of antibiotics at the Pediatric Clinic, University Hospital Center Rijeka, Croatia has been analyzed. During a period from 8 January-15 February, 2003, patient charts were reviewed with regard to antibiotic prescription. Antibiotics were prescribed to 88 patients. In 72% of the patients antibiotics were given empirically, and only 20% had proven bacterial infection. More than one antibiotic was prescribed to 15%, and it was changed in 42% of the patients. In total, 150 antibiotic courses were prescribed. Restricted antimicrobials were given in 67% of the courses. Third generation cephalosporins were most commonly prescribed (48% of courses). Ceftriaxone was the single most prescribed drug (29%). Since it is not recommended to use a combination of drugs or a restricted antimicrobial as a first choice in empiric treatment, further diagnose-linked analysis is necessary. It also needs to be assessed whether the reason for such an extensive number of switches in antibiotic agents was a reflection of treatment failure.

antibiotics; pediatrics

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