Pharmacoeconomic aspects and clinical implications of antimicrobial use in a pediatric health care unit
Keywords:
agentes anti-infecciosos, hospital pediátrico, análises de custos, protocolos de tratamento.Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluated the dynamics of antimicrobial drug consumption at the Institute of Child Health of the State of Amazonas (ICAM), and to contribute to the rational use of antimicrobial drugs used in the treatment of pediatric infections.
METHODS: Information about drugs and infections was collected from prescriptions issued in a one-year period (July 2010- July 2011) to patients treated at ICAM. This data was used to study the use of antimicrobials by means of daily dose per 100 patient-days (DDD) and subsequently, we calculated the cost for the drugs used. Next, we performed an analysis to understand the correlation between the several indicators studied.
RESULTS: The majority of patients attending ICAM and enrolled in the study had respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Antimicrobials accounted for 10.7% of the total hospital drug use. However, 56.3% of the patients admitted during the study period were treated with antimicrobials. Of the several antimicrobials studied, the most patient-days DDD/100 was noted for Ceftriaxone (J01DD04), however, the most expensive medication in the hospital was meropenem (J01DH02).
CONCLUSIONS: We observed an inappropriate antimicrobial use at our study site and we suggest a revision of the standardization of drugs, updating of clinical protocols and a continuing medical education for health professionals. This rational use of antimicrobials will not only reduce drug resistance but also assist in improving child therapy.
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