Clindamycin use evaluation retrospective observational study in critical care units in Alexandria Main University Hospital

Abstract

Abstract Background Irrational use of antibiotics in hospitals is one of the main health system problems. It leads to antibiotic resistance, adverse events, treatment failure, total treatment costs, and longer hospital stay. We aim to evaluate clindamycin use in critical care units in our hospital. It is a step to assess and then put strategies to improve the antibiotic use process. Methods This is a clindamycin use evaluation retrospective study. It was done in critical care units at Alexandria’s main university hospital. The clinical pharmacists reviewed 99 patients’ prescriptions over the last 4 months, recording patients' demographics, main diagnosis, comorbidities, type of infection, duplication of therapy, dose, the occurrence of diarrhea, serious drug interactions, clindamycin-defined daily dose per 1000 patients’ days), treatment duration and total cost of clindamycin. Results A total of 99 patients were included. Clindamycin was prescribed in appropriate indications in 57 patients (57/99 = 57.6%). Prescriptions with inappropriate indications were 42 (42/99 = 42.4%). Duplication of therapy with clindamycin was detected in 32 prescriptions (32.3%). Diarrhea was recorded in 4% of the cases. There were no severe drug interactions with clindamycin. Inappropriate indications were 320 defined Daily Dose (DDD) of total clindamycin consumption (765 DDD) and a cost of 29951.5 LE (42% of total cost). The prescribed dose of clindamycin was correct in all cases. Conclusion There is irrational clindamycin use in critical care units in some cases regarding indications and treatment duplication. Although the prescribed doses were correct. Clindamycin misuse increased total consumption and cost. Trial registration number NCT05223400 on 2 February 2022.