Rationalising the use of antibiotics in primary health care Muscat Health Centre experience

This study aimed was to assess the impact of a method comprised of reorientation of primary health care doctors regarding the rational use of antibiotics combined with continuous feedback regarding their prescriptions on the consumption and choice of antibiotics prescribed. The study was conducted over six months in one primary health care centre and included three types of antibiotics in two drug forms. The results included a reduction of consumption of antibiotics by 53% at the end of the study period and changes in the pattern of choices of the prescribed antibiotics. The study concluded that it is practical, feasible and cost-effective to increase the level of rationalisation of prescribing antibiotics by doctors in primary health care

All about royal hospital bugs

The types and antibiotic sensitivities of microorganisms isolated from routine clinical specimens at Royal Hospital during 1995 were studied. The most common isolates were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae and beta -haemolytic Streptococcus group B. 4% of S.aureus were sensitive to penicillin and 81% to cloxacillin, augmentin and cephradine. Beta -haemolytic streptococci were highly sensitive to penicillin, but only 45% of S.pneumoniae strains were penicillin sensitive. Ampicillin inhibited most strains of H. influenzae, Salmonella spp., and Proteus spp., but Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella spp. and Serratia spp. were less susceptible. Augmentin and cephradine were more effective than ampicillin against Enterobacteriacae. Ceftriaxone and ceftazidime activity against E.coli and Klebsiella spp. was similar to that of cephradine, but they were more effective against other Gram negative bacteria. Ceftazidime was superior to ceftriaxone particularly against Pseudomonas and Flavobacterium spp. Imipenem was generally more effective than aztreonam, but both drugs showed high activity against most Gram negative isolates, except Pseudomonas spp and Flavobacterium spp. The sensitivities of Gram negative bacteria to aminoglycosides ranged from 50% to 95% and amikacin was generally more active than gentamicin against most strains. The incidence of antibiotic resistance in Royal Hospital is high compared to other centres