Evaluation of the Pattern of Intraveneous Ceftriaxone Used in Tuanku Mizan Armed Forces Hospital

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Intravenous (IV) Ceftriaxone is wide- ly prescribed by the physicians in Tuanku Mizan Armed Forces Hospital (TM AFH). It has become the most fre- quently prescribed IV antibiotics in the hospital, recording a distinctive high number of prescription orders. Almost 400 patients were prescribed with IV Ceftriaxone from the first half of 2015, two-times higher than the second most prescribed IV antibiotic (Ampicillin/Sulbactam). The wide use of third-generation Cephalosporin, including Ceftriax- one, has been associated with the emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) presenting con- cerns for bacterial resistance in therapeutics. Therefore, the high number of recorded prescriptions raise an issue whether those prescribed IV Ceftriaxone are appropriately utilized.

METHODS This retrospective study reviews the IV Cef- triaxone use in TM AFH, comparing it with the guidelines proposed by the National Antibiotic Guideline (NAG). Data were collected from the bed head ticket archive of all of the patients who were prescribed with IV Ceftriaxone from March to June 2015, and the appropriateness of the use were determined according to the guideline.

RESULTS Treatment of respiratory tract infection ac- counted for 47% of the use while surgical prophylaxis re- corded 18%. The overall rate of concordance with indica- tions recommended in NAG was 48% which is considered as low.

CONCLUSION Potential areas for intervention include empirical treatment of respiratory tract infection and use in surgical prophylaxis.