Use of antibiotics in hospitalized adult patients: an experience from NWFP

ABSTRACT

An audit of antibiotic use in the hospitalized adult patients in different wards and specialties in Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar. Records of all admitted patients, during the month of January 2002, were analyzed, to find out the age and sex-distribution, number of patients given antibiotics, routes of administration, types of antibiotics used, and brands of antibiotics used. Records of 750 patients were analyzed, with 55% males and 45% females. Mean age was 35.19 years and the mean hospital stay was 5.09 days. Antibiotic[s] were given in 590 patients [78.67%] orally in 50.18%, intravenously in 24.40%, and both in 25.42% patients. The most three commonly prescribed antibiotics were Penicillin [30.96], 1st generation Cephalosporins [12.33%] and quinolones [9.78%]. Different groups of antibiotics and numerous brands are being used in hospital. Hospital based formulary is urgently needed to limit this irrational and diverse use of antibiotics