[Evolution of the use of antibiotics in a hospital long-term care center in Catalonia].
BACKGROUND
Advanced age, together with immune system changes, malnutrition, chronic disease, and the institutional environment, all contribute to a higher risk of acquiring infection in the elderly. Antibiotics are widely used in geriatric centers, but often their use is not optimal.


METHODS
Study carried out during the period 1992-1999 in Centro Sociosanitario Albada (Sabadell, Spain). Data were taken from the Pharmacy Department's unidose registry. We determined the most frequently used antibiotics, the hospital units with highest consumption, the variation in these factors over time, and related costs.


RESULTS
A progressive increase in overall antibiotic consumption was observed during the first 5 years of the study with subsequent stabilization. The units showing highest consumption were the Moderate and Highly-Dependent Chronic Unit, the Palliative Care Unit and the Convalescence and Rehabilitation Unit, with significant increases in the Palliative Care Unit in the last two years of the study. Amoxicillin-clavulanate, ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin were the most extensively used antibiotics. Cost increases were seen in the last three years despite the stabilization of antibiotic use.


CONCLUSIONS
We observed a change in the consumption and profile of the antimicrobial agents used in our setting, probably related to changes in the population, increases in parenteral treatment and changes in the criteria for treatment of terminal patients. The establishment of controls for antibiotic use in long-term care centers would lead to improvements in the quality of the care provided.
Vaqueiro
Montserrat
M
Responsable clinico del Centro Sociosanitario Albada. Corporacio Parc Tauli. Sabadell. Barcelona. Spain. mvaqueiro@cspt.es
Morón
Anisi
A
Sampere
Maite
M
Niño
Jaime
J
Segura
Ferran
F
D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016527:Drug Costs; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000191:economics; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination