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Published on: August 30, 2018

Inappropriate antimicrobial use in Turkish pediatric hospitals: a multicenter point prevalence survey

M Ceyhan1, I Yildirim, C Ecevit

  • 1Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Hacettepe University, Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. mceyhan@hacettepe.edu.tr

International Journal of Infectious Diseases : IJID : Official Publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
|June 3, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing is common in Turkish pediatric hospitals, affecting nearly half of patients receiving antibiotics. Consulting infectious disease physicians and using microbiological tests can improve appropriate antimicrobial use.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship
  • Hospital Pharmacy

Background:

  • Rational antimicrobial use principles are established, yet inappropriate prescribing persists globally.
  • Understanding antimicrobial usage patterns and influencing factors is crucial for enhancing prescription quality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the prevalence and patterns of antimicrobial prescribing in Turkish pediatric hospitals.
  • To identify factors associated with inappropriate antimicrobial use.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional point prevalence survey was conducted on a single day across 12 children's hospitals.
  • Data collected included patient demographics, antimicrobial prescriptions, indications, and infectious disease physician (IDP) consultation.
  • Prescription appropriateness was analyzed by antimicrobial type, indication, ward, and IDP involvement.

Main Results:

  • Over half (54.6%) of hospitalized children received antimicrobials, with the highest rates in pediatric intensive care (75.7%).
  • Nearly half (46.7%) of antimicrobial prescriptions were inappropriate, most frequently in surgery wards (80.2%).
  • Fluoroquinolone use had the highest inappropriate rate (81.8%), and IDP consultation was linked to more appropriate prescribing (p=0.008).

Conclusions:

  • Inappropriate antimicrobial use is a significant issue in Turkish pediatric settings.
  • Involving infectious disease physicians and utilizing microbiological data are key strategies to reduce inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing.
Abstract

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