An Audit of Rational Use of Antibiotics in Pediatric Department Zagazig University Children's Hospital

Abstract

Background: Antibiotics are one of the most widely used drugs in hospitals, but they are often misused. The proper antibiotic use  improves medication and patients' safety, lowers drug intake, costs and reduces the proliferation of resistant species.

Aim and  objectives: To determine the magnitude of inappropriate antibiotic prescription at Zagazig University Children's Hospital.

Methods: This  cross-sectional study was carried out in the pediatric department, faculty of medicine, Zagazig university on 1000 children. All patients  were subjected to full medical history with stress on age, sex, diagnosis, past history and antibiotic regimen (begin, course, end). The  investigations carried out to the patient were recorded. Clinical outcomes after the use of the antibiotics were carefully evaluated and registered.

Results: 97.29% of the prescribed antibiotics were of the appropriate dose and 94.22% were of appropriate interval. 68.67% of  the prescribed antibiotics fulfill the guidelines, while 31.32% not fulfill the guidelines. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics are Ampicillin/Sulbactam and 3rd generation cephalosporin while the least prescribed antibiotics are Amoxicillin/Clavulanic and  cotrimoxazole.

Conclusion: Antibiotics misuse and overuse are common, contributing to the rise of bacterial resistance. As a result, the  main challenges in prescription of antibiotics are to achieve a rational choice and appropriate use of antibiotics and to recognize their  potential problems.