SYSTEMIC ANTIBIOTIC PRESCRIPTION PATTERN IN NATIONAL GUARD OUTPATIENT CLINICS, JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA

Background and Aim: Antibiotics are one of the most prescribed medications worldwide. The misuse of antibiotics is an international health issue that has led to the emergence of antibiotics resistance. The inappropriate prescription of antibiotics plays a major role in the development of microbial resistance. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pattern and extent of antibiotic prescription in outpatient clinics, King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), National Guard Hospital? Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A total of 5472 prescriptions were reviewed on average of 240 prescriptions per day from 28th of January to 29th of February 2016. Prescriptions containing systemic antibiotics were analyzed for the main elements of medication order. The World Health Organization (WHO) core drug use indicators were measured. Results: The percentage of prescriptions that contained systemic antibiotics was 8.2% (n=449) out of all prescriptions reviewed during the study period. Only 8% (n=36) of prescriptions contained more than one antibiotic agent, while the majority had single antibiotic. Family medicine clinics constituted 37% (n=168) of all prescribed antibiotics. The diagnosis was missing in 8.5% (n=38) of prescriptions. Allergy was not documented in 6.2% (n=28) of prescriptions. Upper respiratory tract disease (URTI) was the most common diagnosis in 35.6% (n=160) of patients who received antibiotics. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics were Augmentin and Azithromycin in 21.1% (n=95) and 20.7% (n=93) of patients, respectively. Conclusion: The percentage of systemic antibiotic prescriptions in KAMC outpatient clinics was acceptable according to the WHO indicators. However, the missing information in some of prescription forms necessitates further monitoring and education on the rationale of antibiotics prescription.