To study the prescription practices after the availability of antibiotic sensitivity reports in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background and objectives: The clinical value of a microbiology report has always been queried. There are various factors that influence a prescription in the treatment of patient after admission to the hospital. This study was undertaken to study factors that guide prescription practice after the availability of antibiotic sensitivity report and to study the pattern of choice of empirical therapy among patients admitted with various infections. Methods: This is a hospital based cross sectional study done in a tertiary care hospital. 139 patients were included in the study. The reasons influencing the physician to continue the empirical therapy even after the availability of AST reports were collected using a proforma. Results: A total of 139 patients were analysed in this study. Among 139 patients, 122 (87%) patients were started on empirical therapy. A follow up could be made only for 59 (48%) patients, the rest were either discharged or referred before a follow up was made. Among 59 patients, 30 (50%) patients were continuing empirical therapy even after the availability of AST reports, for 21(36%) patients antibiotic was changed as per AST report. With a predesigned proforma, various opinions of the physicians were obtained and the major reason for continuation of empirical therapy was patients condition improving with the existing drug and a change of antibiotic was not necessary. Interpretation and conclusions: Analysis of the data showed that majority of the physicians were continuing empirical therapy even after availability of AST reports as they felt patient improved with empirical therapy or the drug that is effective as per AST report is expensive. The study also revealed that third generation cephalosporins is more commonly used as an empirical choice of treatment.