title: Vancomycin use in a rural hospital: a 3-year retrospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Urban centres often perform audits of vancomycin use as they face outbreaks of resistant organisms. We undertook this study to understand the indications and duration of intravenous vancomycin in a rural setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective chart audit for all patients who received intravenous vancomycin over a 3-year period at a rural hospital in northwestern Ontario.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vancomycin was used intravenously in 180 patients during the study period. It was used for short courses (median 3 d), and serum levels were below target 72% of the time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High rates of invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and limited antibiotic choices in the field likely contributed to short courses of this antibiotic. Further study on clinical severity and antibiotic choice is needed. Additionally, weight-based dosing may result in target serum levels being achieved more frequently.
authors: Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sioux Lookout, Ont.
authors: Megan
authors: M
authors: Bollinger
authors: Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, Sioux Lookout, Ont.
authors: Marsha
authors: M
authors: Hamilton
authors: Interlake Regional Health Authority, Selkirk, Man.
authors: Kurt
authors: K
authors: Schroeder
authors: Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, Sioux Lookout, Ont.
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Link
authors: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Jasmyn
authors: J
authors: Nguyen
authors: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Dominic
authors: D
authors: Chu
authors: Kingston General Hospital, and Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ont.
authors: Wilma
authors: W
authors: Hopman
authors: Division of Infectious Diseases, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont.
authors: Raphael
authors: R
authors: Saginur
authors: Anishinaabe Bimaadiziwin Research Program, Sioux Lookout, Ont.
authors: Len
authors: L
authors: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014640:Vancomycin