Antibiotic Prescription Style in Surgery Department in Baquba Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Antibiotics are one of the most common drugs prescribed in the hospitals. The present survey was performed to study the style of prescription of different types of antibiotic regimens in different surgeries in Baquba Teaching Hospital and assess the appropriateness of antibiotic therapy through a comparison with the standard guidelines for antibiotic prescription. Methodology: A retrospective survey were used to evaluate the patients undergone surgery through one month duration beginning from the 1st of April 2009 to the 1st of May 2009. 303 patients were enrolled in our survey and questionnaires concerning demographic data, type of surgery, and parameters of antibiotic therapy ( selection of antibiotic, dose, route and duration of therapy) were completed.Results: From 303 patients, 179 patients receiving one antibiotic and the other 124 patients receiving 2 or more antibiotics (antibiotic combination). Claforan was the common antibiotic prescribed where it was written for 169 patients as a single agent or in combination with other antibiotics. Claforan with Flagyl was the common antibiotic combination, prescribed for 63 patients. Concerning duration of therapy, 159 patients continue on antibiotic therapy for 2-3 days while 71 patients continue for one day. Conclusion: The antibiotic selection in this hospital is optional and not according to any guidelines or recommendations. The utilization of culture and sensitivity studies is absent and antibiotic prescription is almost totally empirical. Therefore, antibiotic prescription is inappropriate and didn’t follow the standard guidelines for antibiotic prescription.