DRUG UTILIZATION STUDY OF ANTIMICROBIALS IN POST-OPERATIVE WARDS IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

Drug utilization studies are a pre-requisite for the formulation of drug policies. Irrational use of medicines is widespread throughout the world, particularly the antimicrobials. Proper treatment of peri-operative, post-operative, nosocomial and other hospital acquired infections is essential. Hence to investigate the situation in surgical post-operative wards, the present study is undertaken. Objectives: The present study is designed to study the current trends in prescribing antimicrobials in the surgical post-operative wards of a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A descriptive prospective study will be conducted in the surgical post-operative wards of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College, Bangalore. This was done by collecting the prescriptions during the months between June 2012 and August 2012.Information with respect to the age and sex of the patients, performed surgery and the antimicrobials prescribed, was entered in a pre-formed proforma and analysed. Results:- A total of 81 prescriptions ,belonging to surgical post-operative wards were analysed.The average number of drugs prescribed was 2.5±3.02. 40 patients were given 2 drug treatment.The most extensively prescribed drugs were the cephalosporins(46.85%), followed by metronidazole(34.96%).Maximum of the patients were hospitalized for 3-5 days. Conclusion:-There is scope for improving prescribing habits among the fraternity and minimizing incidence of resistance to antimicrobials