Comparison of antibiotic use in the COVID-19 pandemic with the pre-pandemic period in a university hospital.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The appropriate use of antibiotics is an important strategy in slowing the development of antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to evaluate antibiotic consumption and antibiotic use during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pre-pandemic period and pandemic period. Methods: Antibiotic consumption was evaluated with the antibiotic consumption index (ACI). Results: Antibiotics with the largest increase in ACI value during the pandemic period compared to the previous year increased from 0.4 to 1.8 DDI/100 bed days in moxifloxacin. Teicoplanin, linezolid, and clindamycin were not affected in terms of consumption. Conclusions: It was observed that the use of many intravenous antibiotics in our hospital increased during the pandemic period.