[Clarithromycin consumption at the University Hospital of Liege in 2019. Retrospective study]

Macrolides are one of the treatments of choice in community-acquired pneumonia, either when the clinical and/or biological elements suggest an infection by an intracellular bacteria (so-called atypical), or when the severity of the clinical picture justifies their empirical use. This work is a retrospective monocentric study carried out at the University Hospital of Liege on 25 consecutive patients hospitalized during the year 2019. It aims to specify whether the use of a particular macrolide, clarithromycin, actually meets the national recommendations both in terms of indication, dosage or duration. The results showed justified and adequate use in only 44 % of cases. Nevertheless, the indication was overwhelmingly mentioned in the medical record (96 %). Furthermore, the comparison with national data showed a much higher than average use at the University Hospital of Liege. An action plan is suggested to discuss these results within the Antibiotic Therapy Management Group and then communicate them to the prescribers who are concerned. The aim is to adapt the use of macrolides at the University Hospital of Liege to be more in line with national recommendations.