Antibiotics pharmacotherapy in a Costa Rican private hospital: Hospital Clinica Biblica January-June 2012

Abstract

Appropriate use of antibiotics is a key factor needed in order to increase patients’ survival, limiting adverse events and the development of bacterial resistance. This paper analyzes the antibiotic pharmacotherapy used at Hospital Clinica Biblica, for patients that have used antibiotics for at least 48 hours and had at least one of the following conditions: osteomyelitis, lower respiratory tract infection, cellulitis, sepsis, invasive endocarditis, meningitis, intra-abdominal infections, urinary tract infections and infections associated with intravascular catheter. The selection of these conditions was made considering local epidemiology. According to the data collected, in 93% of cases (97 patients) antibiotics were appropriately prescribed, 75% of cases did not follow the international recommendations when two or more antibiotics are combined, and only in 30% of cases the bacteria involved in the infectious process was isolated. It can be concluded that the selection of antibiotic therapy should be based on data that validate the local sensitivity. Consulting a clinical pharmacist and/or infectious  disease specialist may prevent errors related to the inadequate use of this class of drugs at the Hospital.