Use of antimicrobial drugs in medical wards
Levy, M.; Shapiro, S.; Slone, D.
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Biopharmacy 14(4): 245-254
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0340-0026 PMID: 1002359 Document Number: 99900
Antimicrobial usage patterns in 17,750 consecutive medical in-patients, monitored between 1966 and 1972 are described. 36.4% of all patients were exposed to one or more antimicrobials and about half of them received more than one antimicrobial agent. Penicillins accounted for 49% of all exposures and use of ampicillin rose steadily over the years. Concomitant receipt of more than one antimicrobial was common (22% of all exposed patients). Of 171 possible two-drug combinations involving 19 drugs, 126 were actually encountered. Apart from combinations, 60% of antimicrobial recipients received more than one agent at different times.