title: Broad-spectrum antibiotics in Norwegian hospitals.
abstract: BACKGROUND One of the objectives in the action plan to reduce antimicrobial resistance in the health services in Norway is to reduce the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in Norwegian hospitals. This study describes the use of certain broad-spectrum antibiotics mentioned in the action plan in Norwegian hospitals, and assesses prescribing practices in relation to the Norwegian guidelines for antibiotic use in hospitals.MATERIAL AND METHOD Data were analysed from a nationwide non-identifiable point prevalence survey in May 2016 where all systemic use of antibiotics was recorded.RESULTS Broad-spectrum antibiotics accounted for 33 % of all antibiotics prescribed. Altogether 84 % of all broad-spectrum antibiotics were prescribed as treatment, 8 % were for prophylactic use, and 8 % were classified as other/unknown. Lower respiratory tract infections were the most frequent indication for treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, involving 30 % of all broad-spectrum treatment.INTERPRETATION This point prevalence survey in Norwegian hospitals in spring 2016 indicates a possibility for reducing the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections and for prophylactic use. Reduction of healthcare-associated infections may also contribute.
authors.affiliation: Avdeling for resistens- og infeksjonsforebygging Folkehelseinstituttet.
authors.forename: Øyunn
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Holen
authors.affiliation: Avdeling for resistens- og infeksjonsforebygging Folkehelseinstituttet.
authors.forename: Torunn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Alberg
authors.affiliation: Avdeling for legemiddelepidemiologi Folkehelseinstituttet.
authors.forename: Hege Salvesen
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Blix
authors.affiliation: Nasjonal kompetansetjeneste for antibiotikabruk i spesialisthelsetjenesten (KAS).
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Nasjonal kompetansetjeneste for antibiotikabruk i spesialisthelsetjenesten (KAS).
authors.forename: Marion Iren
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Neteland
authors.affiliation: Avdeling for resistens- og infeksjonsforebygging Folkehelseinstituttet.
authors.forename: Hanne Merete
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Eriksen
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015780:Carbapenems / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D010878:Piperacillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015363:Quinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015780:Carbapenems; D002511:Cephalosporins; D015363:Quinolones; D010878:Piperacillin