Background
The objective of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness of
antibiotic suspensions use for pediatrics among Palestinian mothers’ including
their reconstitution, dose administration, duration, and storage conditions.
Methods
This study was a questionnaire based cross sectional descriptive study.
It was conducted at a governmental primary healthcare center and a pediatric
private clinic in Nablus city between January and March 2013. A sample of 400
mothers were met and asked to answer a face to face questionnaire.
Results
The results showed that 347 (86.8 %) of mothers told that they read
instructions, 311 (77.8 %) could understand manufacturers’ instructions,
and 176 (44.0 %) of mothers asked pharmacists for advice when instructions
were not well understood. In order to prepare antibiotic suspension, 302
(75.5 %) used boiled then cooled water, 192 (48.4 %) of mothers used
a syringe to measure the needed amount of water, and 304 (76.6 %) added
water in two steps, 392 (98.0 %) of mothers claimed that they shook the
suspension bottle before use. Regarding dose administration, 313 (78.2 %)
considered syringe as the most accurate tool for dose administration, most of
mothers told that they gave drug dose with major meals when direction were to
give three times daily, about use duration only 6 (1.5 %) mothers said
that they used antibiotic suspension after 2 weeks, and 53 (6.5 %)
gave left over antibiotic suspension to another child. One hundred seventy
seven (44.2 %) mothers told they stored dry powder antibiotic in medicinal
cabinet, while 226 (56.5 %) of them stored suspension in refrigerator.
Conclusion
The results reflect a good level of correct practice. However, there is
a room for improvement. The pharmacists are recommended to explain the correct
directions, to supply a syringe with suitable calibration for dose
administration, and to counsel parents about suitable storage condition,
frequency of dosing and duration of use.
Objective:
No studies were carried out in Palestine to investigate the prescribed
antimicrobial agents in hospitalized pediatric patients. The objective
of this study was to evaluate and therapeutically analyze the pattern of
parenteral antimicrobial prescriptions among pediatric patients in
Al-Watani Government Hospital in Palestine. Such audit will be of great
value to clinicians and health policy makers.
Material and Methods: Data
on antimicrobial prescribing were collected for 30 consecutive days for
all pediatric patients admitted to Al-Watani government hospital. Data
on antimicrobial prescribing were entered and analyzed using Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program. Analysis was done for age,
sex, diagnosis, site of infection, number of antimicrobial agents given,
how many times the drug regimen has been changed and the frequency of
individual drug use.
Results: Three hundred and forty pediatric patients
were admitted to Al-Watani government hospital during the study period.
Gastroenteritis was the most common cause of hospitalization, while
upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) was the most common cause of
parenteral antimicrobial agent administration. Two hundred and ten
(61.8%) patients received parenteral antimicrobial agents while 16
(4.7%) received both parenteral and oral antimicrobial agents. Single
antimicrobial agent was prescribed for (50.6%) patients. Cefuroxime was
the main single antimicrobial agent used; it was administered to 70/226
(31%) patients. Conclusion: Treatment patterns used for most patients
were nearly according to current empiric therapeutic recommendations.
However, improving the availability of rapid diagnostic methods to
differentiate between viral and bacterial infections is suggested to
reduce empiric therapy numbers by antimicrobial agents so as to decrease
chance for drug resistance.
No studies were carried out in Palestine to investigate the prescribed antimicrobial agents in hospitalized pediatric patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate and therapeutically analyze the pattern of parenteral antimicrobial prescriptions among pediatric patients in Al-Watani Government Hospital in Palestine. Such audit will be of great value to clinicians and health policy makers.
Material and Methods: Data on antimicrobial prescribing were collected for 30 consecutive days for all pediatric patients admitted to Al-Watani government hospital. Data on antimicrobial prescribing were entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program. Analysis was done for age, sex, diagnosis, site of infection, number of antimicrobial agents given, how many times the drug regimen has been changed and the frequency of individual drug use.
Results: Three hundred and forty pediatric patients were admitted to Al-Watani government hospital during the study period. Gastroenteritis was the most common cause of hospitalization, while upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) was the most common cause of parenteral antimicrobial agent administration. Two hundred and ten (61.8%) patients received parenteral antimicrobial agents while 16 (4.7%) received both parenteral and oral antimicrobial agents. Single antimicrobial agent was prescribed for (50.6%) patients. Cefuroxime was the main single antimicrobial agent used; it was administered to 70/226 (31%) patients.
Conclusion: Treatment patterns used for most patients were nearly according to current empiric therapeutic recommendations. However, improving the availability of rapid diagnostic methods to differentiate between viral and bacterial infections is suggested to reduce empiric therapy numbers by antimicrobial agents so as to decrease chance for drug resistance.