Use of antimicrobial drugs in general hospitals. Ii. analysis of patterns of use

M. Shapiro, T. R. Townsend, B. Rosner, E. H. Kass

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

The hospital charts were surveyed of 5, 288 patients in 20 hospitals that were randomly selected from the 194 general hospitals in Pennsylvania. Antimicrobial drugs were administered to 28% of the patients, with little variation in pattern according to hospital size. Surgical services accounted for 61% of the patients who received antimicrobial drugs, and the proportion of patients receiving such drugs varied from 84% on thoracic and cardiovascular surgical services to 13% on obstetrical services. General medicine accounted for 29% of the patients who received antimicrobial drugs and pediatrics for 9%. Eight percent of the hospital population accounted for 50% of all antimicrobial drugs used. Ampicillin was the most frequently used drug, being given in 22% of all courses, with cephalosporins (18%), benzylpenicillins (14%), and tetracycline (13%) next in order. Approximately 30% of the antimicrobial courses were used for prophylaxis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)698-706
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume139
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1979

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Infectious Diseases

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