Abstract

STUDY ON PRESCRIBING PATTERN OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS IN A SUPER SPECIALITY HOSPITAL IN SOUTH INDIAN CITY

A. P. Ravinandan*, Abina Babu, K. R. Shreenivas and N. Suneha

Abstract

Background: An antimicrobial is an agent which is used to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. They are grouped according to their primary actions. For example, agents which are used against bacteria are antibiotics and substance which is used against fungi are called antifungals. Other examples include antiviral, antiparasite etc. Antimicrobial drugs are widely used in medicine for prophylaxis of diseases which are showing benefits in human health. Irrational use of antimicrobials includes polypharmacy, use of inappropriate drugs irrelevant to diagnosis has leading to antimicrobial resistance. Rationality in the utilization of antimicrobial agents will control the antimicrobial resistance and side effects. Objective: To study the prescribing pattern of antimicrobial drug in in-patient department who are admitted for various illnesses in a super speciality hospital in south India. Methodology: A retrospectiveprospective and observational analysis was carried out in a super speciality hospital over a time of 6 months. The prescription was received from in-patient department. Prescribing pattern of antibiotics were compared. Result: Prescribing pattern can be evaluated retrospectively by the examination of clinical records of the SHRC. By checking the antibiotics prescribed among 154 patients data were collected and analysed based on the age group gives 110(71%) adults and 44(29%) geriatric population. In this study the subjects are evaluated for the total number of antibiotics prescribed per prescription among 154 subjects 77(50%) prescribed one antimicrobial, 52(34%) given two antimicrobial, 23(15%)given three antimicrobial and 2(1%) given four antimicrobial, hence the use of monotherapy and combination therapy of antimicrobial is equal. Among this 154 patient’s antimicrobial given one day is 9(6%) and two days 24(16%), three days 53(34%), four days 31(20%), five days 23(15%), and above 5 days 14(9%). Out of 154 patients 109(42%) cephalosporin antimicrobials given to 34(13%), penicillin’s 34(13%), tetracycline’s 31(12%), nitroimidazoles 21(8%), fluoroquinolones 15(6%), macrolides 6(2%), carbapenems and aminoglycosides, lincosamide, betalactum, nitrofurantoin antimicrobials are given 1%respectively. Conclusion: The present research on prescribing pattern of antimicrobial agent in a super speciality hospital provide a framework for prescription audit in the hospital In SHRC most of the prescribing of antimicrobial are based on clinical judgment, while few are supported by microscopic culture and sensitivity reports. . The results of the study suggest that an extensive understanding of antibiotics and its resistance. By periodic evaluation to improve prescribing standards, for ensuring the safety of patients, physicians should provide their care to minimize these multiple drug prescribing pattern.

Keywords: Antimicrobial, Prescribing pattern, Antimicrobial resistance, Rationality