Examining the consumption pattern of three expensive antibiotics (Meropenem, Ciprofloxacin and Cefepime), before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, in Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Hamadan

Abstract

Background: Antibiotic resistance is a global challenge. Information on antibiotics usage is required to combat it. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the consumption pattern of three expensive antibiotics (meropenem, ciprofloxacin and cefepime) in Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Hamadan. Method: In a retrospective cross-sectional study, all patients who were admitted to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Hamadan, Iran, in the first 6 months of 2019 as the period before the COVID-19 epidemic and the first 6 months of 2021 as the period during the epidemic and after hospitalization, meropenem, ciprofloxacin and cefepime were prescribed to them, they entered the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Result: The drugs prescribed for the patients were meropenem in 213 (35.2%) patients, cefepime in 270 (34.2%) and ciprofloxacin in 187 (30.6%) patients. In 2.5% of cases, the selected antibiotic was appropriate considering the type of identified microorganism, 10.9% was wrong and 86.6% was not tested. The site of infection for the patients were bacteremia in 2 (0.3%) patients, coronary artery catheter in 3 (0.5%) patients, kidney and bladder in 14 (2.3%) patients, and skin and soft tissue in 1 (0.2%) patients. Conclusion: Based on the results, for most cases receiving three expensive antibiotics (meropenem, ciprofloxacin, and cefepime) in Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Hamadan, before and during the COVID-19 epidemic, it is not possible to judge if the prescription has been rational or not.

Keywords: Antibiotic, Drug Utilization Evaluation, Meropenem, Ciprofloxacin, Cefepime, Iran