Healthy Skepticism Library item: 9442

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Kienle PC.
Antibiotic use in a community hospital: trends over 13 years
ASHP Annual Meeting 1992 Jun; 49:

Abstract:

Many purchasing and therapeutic decisions are based on antibiotics, since they generally represent the largest dollar group of agents in a hospital. This case describes the trends seen over a 13 year period at a 230 bed community hospital. Grams of specific antibiotics used, patterns of types of agents, number of antibiotic regimens and changes resulting from formulary decisions are demonstrated. Integration of this data with therapeutic data is used to complete a comprehensive antibiotic monitoring program. Trends are examined for cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, antipseudomonal penicillins, vancomycin, imipenem and the quinolones. Results of marketing of products (both from within the pharmacy and as a function of national advertising and local promotion) can be demonstrated to effect usage. Maintenance of a simple data base concerning antibiotic usage allows immediate access to information. Patterns can be identified based on products available on the market, physician prescribing practices, generic and therapeutic bids and the method of marketing the product to the medical staff.