Prescription Patterns of Antimicrobial Agents Prescribed Empirically in The Emergency Medicine Department in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Antibiotics are essential in fighting infections by disrupting bacterial functions, but their misuse contributes to antibiotic resistance. Bacteria adapt through genetic mutations or gene transfer, reducing drug effectiveness. This study examines antibiotic prescribing patterns in the Emergency Department (ED), a critical setting for antimicrobial use due to its 24/7 services. Over six months, data from case reports and patient sheets at a Bengaluru hospital were analyzed, focusing on patients receiving antibiotics at admission. Exclusion criteria included post-culture prescriptions, pregnant or lactating women, and post-admission fatalities. Among 452 ED admissions, 320 involved antibiotic use. The average patient age was 50.53 years, with females accounting for 41.88% of cases. Peak admissions were between 2:00–4:00 PM, and common complaints included fever (13.53%) and breathlessness (9.81%). Frequent diagnoses were COPD (7.37%), hypertension (5.31%), and sepsis (3.44%). Ceftriaxone 1gm was the most prescribed antibiotic (43.32%), with intravenous administration in 84.38% of cases and an average initiation time of 2 hours and 13 minutes. Empiric therapy dominated (61.25%). This study provides valuable insights into ED antibiotic prescribing trends, highlighting areas to improve care and optimize antimicrobial stewardship.