The impact of guidelines on peri-operative antibiotic administration.
A survey has shown that peri-operative antibiotic therapy was inappropriate in 83% of patients undergoing abdominal or arterial surgery. Missed doses at induction or postoperatively, a questionable choice of antibiotics and unnecessarily long postoperative courses were major problems. The introduction of formal guidelines was partially successful with appropriate prescribing improving from 17 to 60% of cases. There was, in addition, a marked reduction in prescribing costs.
Dobrzanski
S
S
Department of Pharmacy, Bradford Royal Infirmary, West Yorkshire, U.K.
Lawley
D I
DI
McDermott
I
I
Selby
M
M
Ausobsky
J R
JR
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011292:Premedication / Q000379:methods*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents