Utilization of antibiotics: Analysis of appropriateness of use

✍ Scribed by Linda R. Bernstein; Steven L. Barriere; John E. Conte Jr

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1982
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 327 KB
• Volume: 11
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1097-6760
• DOI: 10.1016/s0196-0644(82)80034-6

✦ Synopsis

An antibiotic utilization review was performed for the purpose of determining the frequency and types of infectious diseases presenting to a large, teaching hospital emergency department, and the appropriateness of the use of antibiotics in this setting. In 27% of the visits a diagnosis of an infectious disease was made or an antibiotic was prescribed. The most common presenting diagnoses (comprising more than 75% of cases) were infections of the respiratory tract, skin, urogenital system, and gastrointestinal tract. Penicillins and sulfonamides were frequently prescribed in nearly twothirds of cases. Antibiotic prescribing was determined to be appropriate in 78% of cases. Inappropriate use most often involved the use of prophylactic antibiotics in clean lacerations and the use of prophylactic antibiotic combination products following trauma to the eye.