A STUDY ON PRESCRIBING PATTERN OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT OF A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN PUDUCHERRY,  SOUTH INDIA

Pandiamunian J; Kartik J Salwe; Somasundaram G; Bhanu Prakash Kolasani

doi:10.22159/ajpcr.2016.v9i5.13277

Authors

Pandiamunian J Vinayaka Mission's Medical College & Hospitals, VMU, Karaikal.
Kartik J Salwe
Somasundaram G
Bhanu Prakash Kolasani

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2016.v9i5.13277

Abstract

Objective: This study was done to evaluate the current prescribing and usage pattern of antimicrobial agents (AMAs) in the neonatal intensive care
unit (NICU).

Methods: A prospective, hospital-based, cross-sectional study (prescription audit) was carried out between May and August 2012 in the NICU of a
Teaching Hospital. Data were collected by reviewing case records of all neonates admitted to the NICU during the study period.

Results: A total of 120 case records were reviewed and 100 were eligible to be included in the study. Out of the 100, no antimicrobial prescription
was made in 35 case records. Remaining 65 (65%) were prescribed at least one AMA. 167 AMA prescriptions were made in total and average
number of AMAs utilized per neonate was 1.670. Cefotaxime (24.6%) was the most commonly prescribed AMA followed by amoxicillin (23.4%).
Aminoglycosides (43.7%) were the commonly prescribed group of AMAs followed by penicillins (28.7) and cephalosporins (24.6%). Most of the AMAs
were prescribed to non-bacteriologically proven infections (50.5%). Among the 167 AMA prescriptions, 104 (62.28%) were made in their brand
names and 63(37.72%) were made in their generic names. Discussion and Conclusion: This study highlights current usage of AMAs in the NICU of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Puducherry. AMAs were found to be prescribed frequently without bacteriological evidence and in their brand names. This necessitates the need for motivating doctors to improve AMA prescriptions with supportive bacteriological evidence and in generic names.

Keywords: Antimicrobial agents, Neonatal intensive care unit, Generic drugs, Non-bacteriologically proven infections.

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Author Biography

Pandiamunian J, Vinayaka Mission's Medical College & Hospitals, VMU, Karaikal.

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology

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