EVALUATION OF RATIONAL USAGE OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS IN THE PAEDIATRIC DEPARTMENT AT TERTIARY TEACHING CARE HOSPITAL, GUJRAT

Background: Prescription of drugs which needs to be continuously assessed and refined according to disease progression. It not only reflects the physician’s knowledge about drugs but also know the pathophysiology of diseases and attitude towards rational prescribing.  Methods: Retrospective study was carried out by collecting 350 prescriptions containing antimicrobial agents of the indoor patients admitted in the wards of Paediatric department at Sir Sayajirao General (SSG) Hospital, Vadodara. The data was collected by using case record form specially prepared for the study. Results: In our study, total 350 prescriptions containing 690 antimicrobial agents were prescribed during study period. Average number of antimicrobials per prescription was 1.97. 576(83.48%)  and 114(16.52%) antimicrobials were prescribed by using generic name and trade name respectively. 599(86.81%)and 91(13.18%) antimicrobial agents were prescribed for parenteral administration as well as oral route respectively. 101(28.85%) prescriptions constitute single antimicrobial agents, while 249(71.14%) prescriptions contain either two or more than two antimicrobial agents. Among all prescriptions 3 % and 11% of them were without the age and address of the patients. Superscription was not mentioned in 47% of the prescriptions. Inscription, subscription and signature were inadequate in 18%, 11% and 22% of the prescriptions respectively. As per modified kunin’s criteria, 72.17% of the patients received antimicrobial therapy appropriately in Paediatric department. Conclusion: Present study highlighted that large number of prescriptions did not conform to the pattern of typical prescription and lack in their rationality.