title: A multicenter point-prevalence survey of antibiotic use in 13 Chinese hospitals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of antibiotics is considered a major determinant of the development of resistance in organisms. This study assessed current patterns of antibiotic prescription and provides background for quality improvement in general hospitals in Hubei, China.
  
  
  METHODS
  A point-prevalence study was performed in November 2008. All inpatients on the day of the survey were included in the analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On the day of the study, 6904 patients (56%) were receiving antibiotic therapy; the highest rate occurred in the ICU (90%), and the lowest occurred in the medical wards (39%). The most commonly used antibiotics were β-lactam antibiotics, including cephalosporins (40%) and piperacillin (19%), followed by fluoroquinolones (14%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data indicated a high rate of antibiotic use in Chinese hospitals. These findings suggest important areas for intervention and the implementation of antibiotic stewardship policies in Chinese hospitals. A multi-faceted strategy should be implemented at the national level in China and should include education, regulation, and greater financial support from the government.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection Control, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, PR China; Centre of Health Administration and Development Study, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, PR China. Electronic address: xieds8@163.com.
authors.forename: Duo-shuang
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection Control, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, PR China.
authors.forename: Li-li
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection Control, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, PR China.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection Control, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, PR China.
authors.forename: Qiao
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection Control, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, PR China.
authors.forename: Qing-qin
authors.initials: QQ
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection Control, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, PR China. Electronic address: tjxw2012@163.com.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xiong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D058996:Quality Improvement
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Antibiotic use; China; Point-prevalence survey