Antibiotic utilization monitoring--study and review in a Canadian teaching hospital

Patients receiving gentamicin, cephalosporins and penicillinase-resistant penicillins were monitored by pharmacists in a 536-bed university hospital. Of the 217 cases monitored 56% were considered to be rational therapy, 34% were irrational therapy and 10% were questionable. The guidelines used for evaluation of cases were The Audits of Antimicrobial Usage. Guidelines for Peer Review, Kunin and Efron 1977. Treatment was the indication for antibiotic use for the remaining 32% of cases. Sixty-seven per cent of prophylactic therapy was considered to be irrational.