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month due to an infectious process and 7 of these patients were readmitted. 36 (57%) patients had taken antibiotics within 3 months before the study. The most common illnesses were community acquired pneumonia (CAP) 16 (25.4%), acute bronchitis (AB) 15 (23.8%), COPD exacerbation 13 (20.6%) and influenza 7 (11.1%). The most common antimicrobials prescribed were: cephalosporins 24 (26.7%), co-amoxiclav 20 (22.2%) and quinolones 17 (18.9%). Patients with AB were not analysed because there is no optimal duration of antibiotic treatment recommended in the current scientific evidence. The remainder of the patients were analysed (48): 35 were given antibiotics for more days than the recommended evidence (15 CAP, 12 COPD exacerbation, 4 influenza, 4 other infections); 9 patients were given antibiotics as per the recommended duration (3 acute pyelonephritis, 3 influenza, 1 CAP, 1 hospital acquired pneumonia, 1 complicated cystitis); and 4 were given antibiotics for a shorter duration than recommended (1 complicated cystitis, 1 COPD exacerbation, 1 pharyngotonsillitis, 1 acute gastroenteritis). Conclusion and relevance Nearly 75% of patients had a longer antibiotic course than the recommended evidence. This should be a priority for intervention. It is important to create antibiotic awareness, where 'shorter is better' is a 'prescriber mantra' as far as the rational use of antibiotics is concerned.

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