Pattern of systemic antibiotic use among hospitalized patients in a general hospital in Saudi Arabia

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance of many bacteria is a significant drawback of antimicrobial use. A key measure to assess antimicrobial use is point prevalence study.

This was a point prevalence study of all hospitalized patients at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, a 350-bed hospital, and was conducted at two-points from January 2017 to January 2019. We recorded systemic antibiotic use and the indications as prophylactic, empiric, and definite therapy.

Of the 489 hospitalized patients whom were included, 200 (40%) were on systemic antibiotics. Of the total antibiotic indications, 144 (72%) were empiric, 17 (8.5) were prophylactic antibiotics, and 39 (19.5%) were definite therapy, according to hospital guidelines. Most commonly used antibiotics were meropenem (18%), cefazolin (10%), and ceftriaxone (8%). Of included patients, 29.4% were on a single antibiotic, 10% recieved two antibiotics, and 1.4% were on three antibiotics. Of the patients receiving an antibiotic that could be given orally, only 41.4% received oral therapy.

A large percentage of patients were on empiric antimicrobial therapy and areas for further improvements in antimicrobial stewardship includes intravenous to oral switch, evaluating the need for combination therapy, restrictions, education and putting appropriate use guidelines.