Utilization of antibiotics: analysis of appropriateness of use

An antibiotic utilization review was performed for the purpose of determining the frequency and types of infectious diseases presenting to a large, teaching hospital emergency department, and the appropriateness of the use of antibiotics in this setting. In 27% of the visits a diagnosis of an infectious disease was made or an antibiotic was prescribed. The most common presenting diagnoses (comprising more than 75% of cases) were infections of the respiratory tract, skin, urogenital system, and gastrointestinal tract. Penicillins and sulfonamides were frequently prescribed in nearly two-thirds of cases. Antibiotic prescribing was determined to be appropriate in 78% of cases. Inappropriate use most often involved the use of prophylactic antibiotics in clean lacerations and the use of prophylactic antibiotic combination products following trauma to the eye.