Abstract

DRUG UTILIZATION STUDY ON ANTIBIOTICS USE IN AN ORTHOPAEDICS UNIT OF A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL: PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Gopal Teli*, B. G. Sagar and K. V. Ramanath

Abstract

Background: Antibiotics are commonly prescribed in the Orthopaedics Department both as prophylaxis (before orthopedics surgery etc.) or to treat the ongoing infection (like septic arthritis, osteomyelitis etc.). But if antibiotics are not used rationally then there will be increased chances of resistance of bacteria as well as the increase in the total cost of treatment. Conducted about the antibiotics utilization pattern. Objective: This drug utilization study was conducted to evaluate the pattern of antibiotics uses in in-patient of Orthopaedics unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Study Design: Prospective and observational study. Results: A total of 50 prescriptions were studied; in which 2 prescriptions contained monoantibiotic therapy (4%), 42 prescriptions contained poly-antibiotics therapy (84%) and 6 prescriptions contained no antibiotics. The average number of antibiotics prescribed per patients was 3. The beta-Lactam antibiotics were most commonly prescribed (84%) and in this 2nd generation cephalosporin (cefuroxime) and penicillinase inhibitor (Sulbactam) was commonly prescribed. Conclusion: Beta-Lactam antibiotics were most commonly prescribed and poly-antibiotics prescriptions were the common pattern. There is the need to reduce the poly-antibiotic used in orthopedic unit subsequently the cost of antibiotics can be reduced per patients and also can prevent bacterial resistance.

Keywords: Drug Utilization Study, antibiotics, prospective study.