Antibiotic Prescribing Patterns for Outpatient Pediatrics at a Private Hospital in Abu Dhabi: A Clinical Audit Study

Abstract

Background: Antibiotics are commonly used in pediatrics. The aim and objectives were to evaluate the antibiotic prescribing patterns of pediatric outpatients at a private hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Methods: A retrospective drug utilization review was conducted for pediatric patients aged 1–18 between June and December 2018. The prescriptions with inclusion criteria were reviewed and evaluated by using the WHO indicators. Results: 419 encounters included were female (50.1%). Most pediatrics were aged 4–6 years (35.3%). The average number of drugs per prescription were 4.9 drugs. The percentage of parenteral medication prescriptions was 16.9%, and with antibiotic prescriptions was 43.0%, where cefaclor was the most prescribed antibiotic (31.1%). The average consultation time was 14 min, while the average dispensing time was 9.6 min. The most common diagnosis where antibiotics were prescribed was acute pharyngitis (33.4%). There were about 60.6% with lab investigation. Conclusion: As per the WHO indicators, the pediatric outpatient department has a high rate of antibiotic use and polypharmacy, but adherence to the drug formulary and prescribing medicines using generic names was appropriate. The average time for consultation and dispensing were suitable. Irrational antibiotic use for inappropriate diagnoses such as acute otitis media and bronchiolitis were found.