Point Prevalence Survey of Antimicrobial Utilization in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital and a Comprehensive Comparative Analysis of PPS across India

Abstract

This study assessed antimicrobial prescription at our institute to promote rational antimicrobial use and implement customized antimicrobial stewardship programs. This study is a cross sectional point-prevalence survey on antimicrobial utilisation conducted at HAH Centenary hospital, New Delhi in April, 2019, over a period of 3 days. All in-patients were included in the analysis. However, neonates, emergency room patients and palliative care patients, orders for anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-tubercular and anti-parasitic medications were excluded. SPSS version 13.0 was planned to be used for analysis of the statistical data. The number of patients admitted at the point of time of our survey was 217, out of which 101 (46.54%) patients were receiving antimicrobial agents (AMA) with 160 (73.73%) AMAs prescribed. 50 patients (49.5%) were prescribed AMAs for infections, whereas, 49 patients (48.51%) were prescribed AMAs prophylactically and 2 (1.98%) patients received AMAs for reasons not defined. The intensive care units exhibited 93.33% patients receiving antimicrobials. The most common indication was intra-abdominal infections (32.40%). The most commonly used antibiotics were beta-lactam antibiotics (60.62%). The study suggests a high rate of antimicrobial use and highlights areas for intervention for rational antimicrobial use. We propose to sensitise the government on initiating a national antimicrobial stewardship program such as the Global Point Prevalence Survey and facilitate evidence-based antimicrobial practice.