Optimizing Antibiotic and Analgesic Prescribing Patterns in Surgical Care: A Prospective Study on Guideline Adherence

Effective drug utilization in surgical settings is critical to optimize patient outcomes and mitigate the risk of antibiotic resistance. This investigation aims to scrutinize the prescribing patterns of analgesics and antibiotics within the surgery department of a tertiary care hospital. The specific objective is to evaluate the correlation between adherence to clinical guidelines and the appropriateness of prescription indications in the surgical department. A six-month prospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences (SAIMS), Indore, involving 104 patients. Data were collected on demographics, surgery types, prescribed medications, and adherence to clinical guidelines. Statistical analyses, including frequency distributions and chi-square tests, were employed to identify significant trends and deviations. The study included 104 patients, with 82% males and 18% females, aged 19 to 88 years. Common surgeries were exploratory laparotomy and hernioplasty. There was high usage of metronidazole, cephalosporins, and NSAIDs, with an average of 7.5 medications per patient. A significant association was found between guideline adherence and appropriate prescription indications (p = 0.024, χ² = 5.10). Deviations from guidelines were observed in 9.62% of prescriptions, primarily due to the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Adherence to clinical guidelines significantly impacts the appropriateness of prescriptions in the surgical department. Promoting stricter adherence to guidelines can improve prescription practices, enhance patient care, and reduce medication errors.