Antibiotic utilization pattern at the surgery department of a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to determine the pattern of antibiotic utilization at the surgery department of a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over a period of 6-month in surgical ward at Bharti Hospital and Research Centre, Pune, a 1000 bedded teaching hospital. Patients above 18 years and receiving antibiotic therapy pre- and post-surgery were included in the study. Results: A total of 160 patients with surgical operations were included in the study. The disease spectrum was classified into respective system-wise surgical procedures of which 49.37% cases are skin and soft tissue infections, 25.62% cases of general surgical procedure, 12.5% cases of gastrointestinal surgical procedure, 11.25% cases of urinary system, and 1.25% case of head-neck system. 20.62% of the study patients had hernia, 18.12% patients had cellulitis, 16.87% patients had diabetic foot ulcer, 16.25% patients had abscess, and 10.62% patients had appendicitis and cholelithiasis. In this study, it was found that 471 antibiotics were used in total of 160 patients, among which highest group of antibiotics prescribed were third generation cephalosporin (28.23%) followed by penicillins (23.56%). The most frequently prescribed antibiotics were metronidazole - 19.74% among the nitroimidazoles followed by ceftriaxone - 19.53% of the class cephalosporins. Conclusion: The rate of prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics has increased demonstrably which may result in the development of bacterial resistance; however, development of guidelines for an antibiotic prescription and use of appropriate drugs for the diseases can minimize the unfavorable use of antibiotics and cost of health care.