title: The use of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in seven Malaysian hospitals.
abstract: A survey on the use of antibiotics in surgical prophylaxis was carried out in seven Malaysian hospitals. Details of antibiotic prescriptions were obtained through questionnaires completed by the prescriber. A total of 430 such prescriptions was analysed. A large number of different antibiotic regimens were used for a variety of surgical procedures. The majority of prescriptions (70%) were issued for procedures where such prophylaxis was probably not necessary. Antibiotics were also often prescribed for durations that were longer than necessary. There is an urgent need to educate surgeons and standardize surgical prophylactic regimens in order to reduce cost and combat the emergence of antibiotic resistance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Cheong
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Suleiman
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011292:Premedication; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents