First point prevalence survey of neonatal and pediatric antibiotic prescribing in a secondary care hospital in Macedonia

Issue title: Antibiotic prescribing and antibiotic resistance in pediatrics

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Tavchioska, Gabriela | Goossens, Hernan

Affiliations: General Hospital, Borka Taleski, Prilep, Macedonia | Univerisity of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium

Note: [] Correspondence: Gabriela Tavchioska, 11 Oktomvri 55/11, Prilep, Macedonia. Tel.: +389 76 438 735; E-mail: gtavcioska@gmail.com

Abstract: Antibiotic resistance program was developed by Macedonian Ministry of Health in order to improve and expand surveillance of antibiotic use and resistance. As a part of Antibiotic Resistance and Prescribing in European Children or ARPEC study, a point prevalence survey was conducted at General Hospital "Borka Taleski" in Prilep. To present the data from the first point prevalence survey of neonatal and pediatric antibiotic prescribing in secondary care hospital in Macedonia, describe the current antimicrobial prescribing practices at this institution and gather baseline data for future interventions to improve the antimicrobial use. A point prevalence survey was conducted within the pediatric and neonatal departments. Twenty three patients were surveyed: 12 in the pediatric department and 11 in the neonatal unit. 92% of pediatric patients were treated with antibiotics compared with an average of 36% in pediatric departments in other European countries (p < 0.05). 18% of hospitalized neonates were treated with antibiotic compared with 8% in other European neonatal departments (p < 0.05). Assessment of current antibiotic use in general hospitals is very important for further work on antibiotic prescribing.

Keywords: Point prevalence survey, antibiotic resistance, general hospital

DOI: 10.3233/JPI-140428

Journal: Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 147-150, 2014