Utilization of antibiotics: analysis of appropriateness of use.
An antibiotic utilization review was performed for the purpose of determining the frequency and types of infectious diseases presenting to a large, teaching hospital emergency department, and the appropriateness of the use of antibiotics in this setting. In 27% of the visits a diagnosis of an infectious disease was made or an antibiotic was prescribed. The most common presenting diagnoses (comprising more than 75% of cases) were infections of the respiratory tract, skin, urogenital system, and gastrointestinal tract. Penicillins and sulfonamides were frequently prescribed in nearly two-thirds of cases. Antibiotic prescribing was determined to be appropriate in 78% of cases. Inappropriate use most often involved the use of prophylactic antibiotics in clean lacerations and the use of prophylactic antibiotic combination products following trauma to the eye.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002140:California; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents