A prospective study of antimicrobial utilization in post-operative care unit of a teaching hospital in South India

ABSTRACT

Background: Surgical site infections, a common cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients can be prevented using an antimicrobial agent (AMA) as prophylaxis. Inappropriate use of AMA leads to antimicrobial resistance.Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 208 patients in Owaisi Hospital and Research Centre (OHRC) for a period of 6 months on post-surgical patients admitted in the postoperative care unit. Included in the study were post-operative patients aged 18 years and above, who were willing to participate in the study. Data related to demography of the patients and the AMAs used in these patients was collected and analysed.Results: Majority of the patients belonged to the age group 50 to 59 years (32%) followed by 40 to 49 age group (23%). Male patients (54%) were more than females. Common route of administration was intravenous (89%) and the most common dosing frequency was thrice a day (54%). Most AMAs were used in combinations. Metronidazole (62%) was the most commonly prescribed AMA, followed by ceftriaxone (55%).Conclusions: Cephalosporins were the preferred antimicrobials for surgical prophylaxis of aerobic infections prescribed in 74% of cases, while metronidazole was used as the primary antimicrobial agent to prevent anaerobic infections. AMA utilization needs to be continuously evaluated in post-operative units of the surgery departments in order to promote rational prescribing to decrease morbidity, cost of therapy and to contain the problem of developing AMA resistance in the region.