Addressing Inappropriate Antibiotic Use: Findings From a Point Prevalence Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective Inappropriate antibiotic use is a significant public health concern, contributing to antimicrobial resistance, increased morbidity and mortality, and higher healthcare costs. This study aimed to evaluate antibiotic use in a tertiary hospital and assess the impact of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology consultations on prescribing practices. Methods On the study day, data were collected from all hospitalized adult patients receiving antibiotics. Variables included demographics, hospital ward, antibiotic name, route of administration, indication, dosage, frequency, duration, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology consultation status, and appropriateness of use. Results Of the 454 adult inpatients, 264 (58.2%) were receiving at least one antibiotic. Among them, 181 (68.6%) were treated empirically or with targeted therapy, while 79 (29.9%) received antibiotics for prophylaxis. The most commonly used antibiotic group was cephalosporins, used in 108 (40.9%) of cases. Respiratory tract infections were the most frequent indication. Antibiotic use was significantly higher in intensive care units compared to surgical and medical wards. Inappropriate antibiotic use was identified in 76 (28.8%) of the 264 patients. The rate of inappropriate use was significantly lower among patients who received consultations from the Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology department. Conversely, inappropriate use was more frequent in surgical wards compared to medical wards and intensive care units. Conclusion Point prevalence surveys provide valuable insights into antibiotic prescribing patterns and support antimicrobial stewardship efforts. In line with findings from other centers, this study revealed that inappropriate antibiotic use was most common in surgical wards and for prophylactic purposes. Targeted interventions are needed to improve surgical prophylaxis practices.