A point prevalence survey of antibiotic prescriptions: Benchmarking and patterns of use

Abstract

AIM The aim of the study was to assess current patterns of antibiotic prescribing and the impact of a hospital antibiotic policy on these practices.METHODS The study involved collecting information regarding hospitalized patients utilizing the ESAC audit tool.RESULTS In the study site hospital, the use of the restricted agents was low whilst the use of the non-restricted agents was high. Compliance with the hospital antibiotic guidelines was 70%.DISCUSSION The findings identified monitoring non-restricted antibiotics and compliance with guidelines as targets for quality improvements in our hospital. Point prevalence surveys may offer a simple method of monitoring antibiotic policies, thus, informing antibiotic stewardship. © 2011 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology © 2011 The British Pharmacological Society.