Adecuación de la prescripción de antimicrobianos en población pediátrica en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario / Appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing in paediatric patients in a hospital emergency department

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los antimicrobianos son uno de los agentes terapéuticos más empleados en niños. Se estima que entre el 30 y el 50% de las prescripciones son inadecuadas. En este escenario, el análisis de la prescripción aporta información importante para la implementación de medidas de mejora en este campo. OBJETIVOS: Evaluar la adecuación de la prescripción de antimicrobianos en población pediátrica en un servicio de urgencias. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal en población menor de 14 años atendida en las urgencias hospitalarias de un hospital comarcal durante el año 2013. Se seleccionó una muestra aleatoria de 630 pacientes (intervalo de confianza: 99%; error alfa: 5%). Se analizó el grado de adecuación del tratamiento antimicrobiano comparando nuestra práctica clínica con las recomendaciones de una guía de tratamiento antimicrobiano basada en la mejor evidencia disponible diseñada especialmente para este estudio. RESULTADOS: Se prescribió antimicrobiano al 16,5% de los pacientes (n=104). El tratamiento fue considerado inadecuuado en el 51,9% de los pacientes (n = 54). Se prescribió tratamiento innecesario en el 40,7%, la elección del antimicrobiano fue incorrecta en el 35,2% y la posología en el 24,1%. Las principales enfermedades en las que se produjo la prescripción inadecuada fueron: otitis media aguda, episodio de sibilancias, fiebre sin foco, faringoamigdalitis aguda y neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. CONCLUSIÓN: Hasta en la mitad de los pacientes la prescripción de antimicrobianos puede ser inadecuada. Estos resultados ponen de manifiesto la importancia de introducir un programa de optimización de antimicrobianos para reducir su uso innecesario

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotics represent one of the most widely prescribed therapeutic agents in children. It has been estimated that 30-50% of antibiotic prescriptions for this population are inappropriate. In this scenario, analysis of prescription data provides an invaluable source of information as a basis for implementing strategies for improvement in this field. OBJECTIVE: To assess the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions in a paediatric population at an emergency department. METHODS: An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted on patients under 14 years who attended the emergency department during 2013. A random sample of 630 patients was selected (confidence level 99%, accuracy 5%). To assess the suitability of antibiotic prescriptions, the clinical practice was compared with an evidence-based guideline especially designed for this study. RESULTS: Antibiotics were prescribed to 16.5% patients (n = 104). Antibiotic treatment was inappropriate in 51.9% patients (n = 54). Unnecessary treatment was indicated in 40.7%, with wrong antibiotics chosen in 35.2%, and the posology was incorrect in 24.1% of them. The most frequent diseases with incorrectly prescribed antibiotics were: acute otitis media, episodes of wheezing, fever of unknown origin, acute pharyngo-tonsillitis, and community-acquired pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Antibiotic prescribing seems to be inappropriate in up to half of the patients. These data reinforce the need to develop a paediatric antimicrobial stewardship program to decrease the unnecessary use of antimicrobial agents

[Appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing in paediatric patients in a hospital emergency department]. / Adecuación de la prescripción de antimicrobianos en población pediátrica en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario.

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotics represent one of the most widely prescribed therapeutic agents in children. It has been estimated that 30-50% of antibiotic prescriptions for this population are inappropriate. In this scenario, analysis of prescription data provides an invaluable source of information as a basis for implementing strategies for improvement in this field. OBJECTIVE: To assess the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions in a paediatric population at an emergency department. METHODS: An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted on patients under 14 years who attended the emergency department during 2013. A random sample of 630 patients was selected (confidence level 99%, accuracy 5%). To assess the suitability of antibiotic prescriptions, the clinical practice was compared with an evidence-based guideline especially designed for this study. RESULTS: Antibiotics were prescribed to 16.5% patients (n=104). Antibiotic treatment was inappropriate in 51.9% patients (n=54). Unnecessary treatment was indicated in 40.7%, with wrong antibiotics chosen in 35.2%, and the posology was incorrect in 24.1% of them. The most frequent diseases with incorrectly prescribed antibiotics were: acute otitis media, episodes of wheezing, fever of unknown origin, acute pharyngo-tonsillitis, and community-acquired pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Antibiotic prescribing seems to be inappropriate in up to half of the patients. These data reinforce the need to develop a paediatric antimicrobial stewardship program to decrease the unnecessary use of antimicrobial agents.