Pattern of antibiotic usage in Razi hospital in Ahvaz, Iran (2011-12)

Indiscriminate use of antibiotics is one of the major health problems worldwide. Rapidly increasing incidence of antibiotic-resistant microbes warns healthcare authorities in the country to use drugs, reasonably. This study was carried out to assess the pattern of antibiotic usage in Razi teaching hospital in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran. This descriptive –analytical study was conducted on 17668 hospitalized patients in Razi teaching hospital Ahvaz, southwest of Iran during 2012. Proper or inappropriate antibiotic usage was judged based on existing national guidelines or guidelines referenced in textbooks. 3119 of patients were received antibiotics which 20.4% of patients were being treated unnecessarily. 2482 (79.6%) of patients had indications for antibiotic therapy. Out of 2482 patients with indications for antibiotic therapy, 51.9%, 18.1 % and 6.5 % of patients were received incorrect antibiotic regiment, inadequate dose and unsuitable duration of therapy, respectively. The highest rate of unnecessary, inappropriate, incorrect duration and dosage of antibiotics were observed in internal, scorpion wards and the lowest was in infectious diseases and obstetrics wards (P<0.05). The pattern of antibiotic usage in Razi teaching hospital in Ahvaz was inappropriate. Unnecessary prescription, inappropriate antibiotic spectrum, inadequate dose and duration of antibiotics were inappropriate treatment strategy.