title: [Rational use of antibiotics in the Department of Internal Medicine from a university hospital: results of a pilot experience].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The programs of rational use of antibiotics are designed to optimize antimicrobial therapy and minimize the emergence of bacterial resistance. In order to optimize the use of antibiotics we implemented an educational program based on the application of a checklist criteria for the rational use of these drugs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cohort study unpaired in the Department of Internal Medicine, during three months. We compared a prospective cohort (A) which used a checklist, with a retrospective cohort (B) in wich prescription was based on usual clinical practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We included 227 prescriptions of antibiotics. In cohort A compared to B, there was a higher proportion of switch to oral antibiotics agents and adjustment of the antimicrobial therapy to the susceptibility in the antibiogram and reduced use of associated antibiotics. Total antibiotic consumption was 117.7 DDD/100 bed-days (Defined Daily Doses). Consumption in cohorts A and B was 46.1 DDD/100 bed-days and 71.6 DDD/100 bed-days (reduction, 35.6%). There was also a reduction in consumption of ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, quinolones, vancomycin and carbapenems. Costs were reduced by 55%. There was no difference in the average hospital stay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implementation of an educational strategy based on a checklist allowed the optimum use of antibiotics.
authors.affiliation: Clínica Médica B, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay. susanacabrera1@gmail.com
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cabrera A
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sosa
authors.forename: Zaida
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Arteta
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Seija
authors.forename: Soledad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mateos
authors.forename: Abayubá
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perna
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Firpo
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Gimena
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lombardo
authors.forename: Ximena
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Añón
authors.forename: Mariela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teliz
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Danese
authors.forename: Maynés
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: Jimena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bueno
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Raúl
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rozada
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Antelo
authors.forename: Ana Laura
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Quijano
authors.forename: Djalma
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oper
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents