O-40 A retrospective analysis of empiric prescribing patterns for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections at The University of the West Indies Health Centre.
Author(s):
H Williams , T Kennedy-Dixon , K Allen-Dougan , M Gossell-Williams
Year of Presentation:
2022
Objective: To identify the frequency with which antibiotics are used to treat upper respiratory tract infections at the
University Health Centre during the control period of September 2018 to October 2018.
Methods: A retrospective, non-experimental study was done to investigate the frequency and pattern of use of antibiotics in the treatment of URTI. The sample included all patients who were prescribed an antibiotic during the period of September 2018 to October 2018 by the resident physicians employed at the University Health Centre. The respective dosage regimen was included along with the URTI being treated. The appropriateness of the different treatment approaches was assessed based on the NICE and CDC guidelines for the management of URTIs.
Results: A total of fifty-six encounters were identified, ages ranged from nine months to sixty-eight years old. Azithromycin was the most commonly used antibiotic (37.5%) followed by Amoxicillin (35.7%), Cefuroxime (12.5%), Levofloxacin (8.9%), Doxycycline (3.6%), and Tinidazole (1.8%). Approximately forty-eight percent (48%) of the prescribed antibiotics were optimally prescribed
Conclusion: There is a high rate of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for the treatment of URTI at the University Health Centre. As such, interventions are needed for improving empiric prescribing patterns and possibly implement a standardized local treatment guideline.