A point prevalence survey of antibiotic prescriptions: benchmarking and patterns of use

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Inappropriate antimicrobial use has been associated with increased morbidity and hospital costs. • Antibiotic policies aim to improve patient outcomes whilst reducing adverse effects associated with antimicrobial use. • More insight into the actual implementation of antibiotic policies is needed in order to explore patterns of antibiotic prescribing. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • This study assessed the current patterns of antibiotic prescribing and the impact of a hospital antibiotic policy on these practices. • It demonstrated the value of point prevalence surveys in informing antibiotic stewardship and identifying targets for quality improvements. • The study emphasized the importance of participating in international networks, such as the European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption (ESAC), in supporting optimal antibiotic use. AIM The aim of the study was to assess current patterns of antibiotic prescribing and the impact of a hospital antibiotic policy on these practices. METHODS The study involved collecting information regarding hospitalized patients utilizing the ESAC audit tool. RESULTS In the study site hospital, the use of the restricted agents was low whilst the use of the non‐restricted agents was high. Compliance with the hospital antibiotic guidelines was 70%. DISCUSSION The findings identified monitoring non‐restricted antibiotics and compliance with guidelines as targets for quality improvements in our hospital. Point prevalence surveys may offer a simple method of monitoring antibiotic policies, thus, informing antibiotic stewardship.