title: Use of antimicrobial drugs in medical wards.
abstract: Antimicrobial usage patterns in 17,750 consecutive medical in-patients, monitored between 1966 and 1972 are described. 36.4% of all patients were exposed to one or more antimicrobials and about half of them received more than one antimicrobial agent. Penicillins accounted for 49% of all exposures and use of ampicillin rose steadily over the years. Concomitant receipt of more than one antimicrobial was common (22% of all exposed patients). Of 171 possible two-drug combinations involving 19 drugs, 126 were actually encountered. Apart from combinations, 60% of antimicrobial recipients received more than one agent at different times.
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002170:Canada; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D009520:New Zealand; D010406:Penicillins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D010406:Penicillins