title: Impact of an antibiotic policy on antibiotic use in a paediatric department. Individual based follow-up shows that antibiotics were chosen according to diagnoses and bacterial findings.
abstract: Guidelines and clinical Cupertino for rational antibiotic use were implemented in a Norwegian paediatric department in 1994. From 1994 to 1998 the use of antibiotics and expenditures was reduced by 50%. There was an 80% decrease in the use of cloxacillin, a 74% decrease of aminoglycosides and a 59% decrease of cephalosporins. The use of penicillin V and G increased by 14% and ampicillins by 8%. Eight point prevalence studies showed that on average 23% (range 21-38%) of the patients were treated with antibiotics. Penicillins were used in 44% of courses, aminoglycosides in 35% of courses and cephalosporins in 9% of courses. Treatment was mostly adjusted to bacteriological findings. Compliance with guidelines was >90%. Guidelines for rational antibiotic policy and multidisciplinary co-operation lead to reduction in the use and expenses of antibiotics in a paediatric department.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Aker University Hospital, N-0514 Oslo, Norway. dag.berild@ioks.uio.no
authors.forename: Dag
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berild
authors.forename: Signe Holta
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ringertz
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aabyholm
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lelek
authors.forename: Brita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fosse
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D002648:Child; D016527:Drug Costs; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents