Antibiotic
prescription habits, cost pattern, and the prospective intervention
in an Intensive Care Unit were analyzed.
Methods: Data on antibiotic utilization and costs were collected
prospectively from individual electronic charts from August 2003
to January 2004, and retrospectively from August to December 2002.
Results: A total of 180 and 107 patients were surveyed in 2002
and 2003. In 2002, Piperacillin-Tazobactam (13.8%) and Imipenem/Cilastin
(11.2%) were the most prescribed medications; while, in 2003,
Vancomycin (12.6%) and Imipenem/Cilastin (11.3%) were prescribed,
respectively. Total defined daily dose (DDD) and Drug Utilization
90% (DU90%) index for 2002 and 2003 were 2031.15 and 2325.90 DDDs
(p>0.1) and 1777.57 and 2079.61 DU90%, respectively (p>0.1).
The Median Total Cost /100 admission days (CI 95%) were NIS13,310
(11,110;18,420) and NIS13,860 (6,710;18,020) (p=0.66), respectively.
Conclusions: Interventional programs should focus on promoting
infectious control with rational antibiotic prescription aimed
at minimizing the future emergence of bacterial resistance and
futile expenses.
Keywords:
Anti-Bacterial
Agents. Drug Utilization. Hospitals. Israel.
