title: Antibiotic overkill of trauma victims?
abstract: Antibiotic usage was assessed in a prospective, randomized trial of recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) versus placebo for 212 severely injured trauma patients in four university hospitals. All patients were observed until death or discharge from the hospital. We found the number of antibiotics used and their associated costs staggering and difficult to justify, although serious antibiotic-related complications were infrequent. Regular antibiotic administration following severe trauma should be re-evaluated since clinical evidence supports the use of shorter courses for these patients, with presumed similar outcomes and much-reduced expenses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, KY.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hadjiminas
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Cheadle
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Spain
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Short
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Starko
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Livingston
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014481:United States; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents