High Levels of Outpatient Antibiotic Prescription at a District Hospital in Ghana: Results of a Cross Sectional Study

• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610286
• Publication Date: 2022-08-19T01:39:21Z
• Authors: Obed Kwabena Offe...; Sharath Burugina ...; Nana Kwame Ayisi-...; Divya Nair; Karlos Muradyan; Phanuel Seli Asense; Osei Kwaku Wusu-A...; Robert Fraser Terry; Mohammed Khogali; Kwame Ohene Buabeng
• Keywords: Antimicrobial Stewardship; Cefuroxime; Formulary; Cross-sectional study; Medical record

Monitoring of antibiotic prescription practices in hospitals is essential to assess and facilitate appropriate use. This relevant halt the progression antimicrobial resistance.Assessment prescribing patterns completeness prescriptions among out-patients 2021 was conducted at University Hospital Kwame Nkrumah Science Technology Ashanti region Ghana. We reviewed electronic medical records (EMR) 49,660 patients who had 110,280 encounters year.The patient yielded 350,149 prescriptions. Every month, 33-36% resulted prescription, higher than World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended optimum 27%. Almost half antibiotics prescribed belonged WHO's Watch group. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (50%), azithromycin (29%), ciprofloxacin (28%), metronidazole (21%), cefuroxime (20%) were most antibiotics. Antibiotic parameters (indication, name drug, duration, dose, route, frequency) documented almost all prescriptions.Extending stewardship out-patient settings by developing standard treatment guidelines, an specific drug formulary, antibiograms can promote rational use hospital. The EMR system hospital a valuable tool for monitoring that be leveraged future audits.