TY - JOUR
T1 - A pilot study evaluating the prescribing of ceftriaxone in hospitals in Ghana
T2 - findings and implications
AU - Afriyie, Daniel Kwame
AU - Amponsah, Seth Kwabena
AU - Dogbey, Justice
AU - Agyekum, Kwabena
AU - Kesse, Samuel
AU - Truter, Ilse
AU - Meyer, Joanna C
AU - Godman, Brian
N1 - This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Hospital Practice on 28/06/2017, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21548331.2017.1348139
PY - 2017/7/13
Y1 - 2017/7/13
N2 - Background and Objectives: Widespread empiric use of antibiotics exists especially in developing countries. This is a concern since inappropriate use of antibiotics, including their extended inappropriate use, will increase resistance rates. Consequently, there is a need to evaluate antibiotic utilisation across healthcare sectors to improve future use. This includes ceftriaxone in hospitals as it is a widely used antibiotic among hospitals including those in Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study to evaluate the appropriateness of ceftriaxone prescribing in a leading hospital in Ghana. Ceftriaxone prescribing in the patient record cards was assessed using modified WHO drug utilization evaluation criteria as well as referencing the national standard treatment guidelines in Ghana and the ceftriaxone package insert. Results: 251 patients were assessed. Ceftriaxone was most commonly prescribed for comorbid malaria with bacterial infections, urinary tract infections, sepsis and gastroenteritis. The appropriateness of the indication was 86.9% (n = 218). The doses most prescribed were 1 g (41.4%) and 2 g (39.4%). Stat dose and once daily dosage regimen constituted 51.4% and 84.5% respectively. The most common duration of treatment was 1 (51.4%) and 2 days (35.1%). The overall appropriateness of prescribing was 93.0% against a pre-set threshold of 97.9%. Conclusion: The appropriateness of ceftriaxone prescribing was high in this leading hospital in Ghana. However, there is room for improvement with targeted educational initiatives, with further research planned.
AB - Background and Objectives: Widespread empiric use of antibiotics exists especially in developing countries. This is a concern since inappropriate use of antibiotics, including their extended inappropriate use, will increase resistance rates. Consequently, there is a need to evaluate antibiotic utilisation across healthcare sectors to improve future use. This includes ceftriaxone in hospitals as it is a widely used antibiotic among hospitals including those in Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study to evaluate the appropriateness of ceftriaxone prescribing in a leading hospital in Ghana. Ceftriaxone prescribing in the patient record cards was assessed using modified WHO drug utilization evaluation criteria as well as referencing the national standard treatment guidelines in Ghana and the ceftriaxone package insert. Results: 251 patients were assessed. Ceftriaxone was most commonly prescribed for comorbid malaria with bacterial infections, urinary tract infections, sepsis and gastroenteritis. The appropriateness of the indication was 86.9% (n = 218). The doses most prescribed were 1 g (41.4%) and 2 g (39.4%). Stat dose and once daily dosage regimen constituted 51.4% and 84.5% respectively. The most common duration of treatment was 1 (51.4%) and 2 days (35.1%). The overall appropriateness of prescribing was 93.0% against a pre-set threshold of 97.9%. Conclusion: The appropriateness of ceftriaxone prescribing was high in this leading hospital in Ghana. However, there is room for improvement with targeted educational initiatives, with further research planned.
KW - ceftriaxone
KW - drug use evaluation
KW - Ghana
UR - http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21548331.2017.1348139
U2 - 10.1080/21548331.2017.1348139
DO - 10.1080/21548331.2017.1348139
M3 - Article
VL - 45
SP - 143
EP - 149
JO - Hospital Practice
JF - Hospital Practice
SN - 2154-8331
IS - 4
ER -