Use of Antibiotics in a University Hospital
Author Information
Author(s): Mettler Julian, Simcock Mathew, Sendi Pedram, Widmer Andreas F, Bingisser Roland, Battegay Manuel, Fluckiger Ursula, Bassetti Stefano
Primary Institution: University Hospital Basel
Hypothesis
The study aims to assess the adequacy of empirical and adjusted antibiotic therapies in a Swiss university hospital without antibiotic use restrictions.
Conclusion
The rate of inadequate antibiotic therapies was similar to other institutions despite the absence of a restrictive antibiotic policy.
Supporting Evidence
- 19.4% of patients admitted received antibiotics within 24 hours.
- Empirical antibiotic therapy was inadequate in 22% of patients.
- Adjusted antibiotic therapy was inadequate in 27% of cases.
- The main reason for inadequacy was the use of antibiotics with unnecessarily broad spectrum.
Takeaway
Doctors at a hospital gave antibiotics to many patients, but some of those antibiotics weren't the right choice. They need to be more careful about which antibiotics they use.
Methodology
A prospective observational study was conducted over 9 months, including patients admitted through the emergency department who received antibiotics within 24 hours.
Limitations
Patients started on antibiotics more than 24 hours after admission or who received only antibiotic prophylaxis were not included.
Participant Demographics
{"total_patients":539,"males":297,"females":242,"age_median":69,"age_range":"17-100"}
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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