title: Use of antimicrobial drugs in general hospitals. II. Analysis of patterns of use.
abstract: The hospital charts were surveyed of 5,288 patients in 20 hospitals that were randomly selected from the 194 general hospitals in Pennsylvania. Antimicrobial drugs were administered to 28% of the patients, with little variation in pattern according to hospital size. Surgical services accounted for 61% of the patients who received antimicrobial drugs, and the proportion of patients receiving such drugs varied from 84% on thoracic and cardiovascular surgical services to 13% on obstetrical services. General medicine accounted for 29% of the patients who received antimicrobial drugs and pediatrics for 9%. Eight percent of the hospital population accounted for 50% of all antimicrobial drugs used. Ampicillin was the most frequently used drug, being given in 22% of all courses, with cephalosporins (18%), benzylpenicillins (14%), and tetracycline (13%) next in order. Approximately 30% of the antimicrobial courses were used for prophylaxis.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D010414:Pennsylvania; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents