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Antibiotic Prescribing Patterns for Outpatient Pediatrics at a Private Hospital in Abu Dhabi: A Clinical Audit Study
Faris El-Dahiyat1,2, Dalal Salah3, Meriam Alomari4
1Clinical Pharmacy Program, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Al Ain P.O. Box 64141, United Arab Emirates.
Insights
Pediatric antibiotic prescribing in Abu Dhabi reveals high antibiotic use and polypharmacy, with cefaclor being the most common. Irrational antibiotic use for diagnoses like acute otitis media was observed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric pharmacology
- Drug utilization studies
- Public health
Background:
- Antibiotic use is prevalent in pediatric care.
- Evaluating prescribing patterns is crucial for optimizing treatment.
- This study focuses on pediatric outpatients in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess antibiotic prescribing patterns in pediatric outpatients.
- To identify areas for improvement in antibiotic stewardship.
- To evaluate adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) indicators.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective drug utilization review.
- Inclusion of pediatric patients aged 1-18 years.
- Evaluation using WHO prescribing indicators.
Main Results:
- High antibiotic prescription rate (43.0%) and polypharmacy (4.9 drugs/prescription).
- Cefaclor was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic.
- Irrational antibiotic use for acute pharyngitis, acute otitis media, and bronchiolitis was noted.
Conclusions:
- The pediatric outpatient department exhibits high antibiotic consumption and polypharmacy.
- Appropriate use of drug formulary and generic names was observed.
- Addressing irrational antibiotic prescribing for specific diagnoses is recommended.
Background:
Antibiotics are commonly used in pediatrics. The aim and objectives were to evaluate the antibiotic prescribing patterns of pediatric outpatients at a private hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Methods:
A retrospective drug utilization review was conducted for pediatric patients aged 1-18 between June and December 2018. The prescriptions with inclusion criteria were reviewed and evaluated by using the WHO indicators.
Results:
419 encounters included were female (50.1%). Most pediatrics were aged 4-6 years (35.3%). The average number of drugs per prescription were 4.9 drugs. The percentage of parenteral medication prescriptions was 16.9%, and with antibiotic prescriptions was 43.0%, where cefaclor was the most prescribed antibiotic (31.1%). The average consultation time was 14 min, while the average dispensing time was 9.6 min. The most common diagnosis where antibiotics were prescribed was acute pharyngitis (33.4%). There were about 60.6% with lab investigation.
Conclusion:
As per the WHO indicators, the pediatric outpatient department has a high rate of antibiotic use and polypharmacy, but adherence to the drug formulary and prescribing medicines using generic names was appropriate. The average time for consultation and dispensing were suitable. Irrational antibiotic use for inappropriate diagnoses such as acute otitis media and bronchiolitis were found.
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