Background: Antibiotics are the most commonly used and misused of all drugs. Patterns of antibiotic resistance widely follows local patterns of antibiotic prescribing and usage. Periodic data collection and analysis of antibiotic prescriptions at regional level are essential to understand and combat antibiotic resistance. Objective of the study was to study the prescribing pattern of antibiotics in outpatient department of Otorhinolaryngology in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: A prospective observational study of prescribing pattern of antibiotics was conducted in the department of Otorhinolaryngology. Data of antibiotic utilization in outpatient department was collected through duplicate copies of the prescriptions. The data obtained was analyzed and the conclusions were drawn using descriptive analysis.Results: A total of 606 prescriptions were collected and analyzed during the study. Average number of antibiotics prescribed per prescription was 1.24 most of the antibiotics were prescribed for a duration of 1 to 5 days. Commonly prescribed antibiotic class was penicillin (48.1%) followed by quinolone (18.3%). Most of the antibiotics were prescribed by their brand names (98.8%).Conclusions: The present study highlights the wide use of extended spectrum antibiotics, along with brand names for prescribing. Interventions for prescribing of generic drugs from the essential drug list needs to be encouraged among physicians.

Background: Prescribing errors are major problems among medication errors. Prescribing errors include mistakes or inaccuracies when choosing and ordering treatments, such as wrong doses or illegible prescriptions. Most of these errors result in no harm or have low to moderate harm however, some result in severe harm or death. There are economic consequences attributed to prescribing errors.Methods: The aim of the study was to analyse the prescriptions for completeness. The prospective observational study was conducted in outpatient department of different specialities in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Prescriptions with atleast one antibiotic, was collected through duplicate copies from the prescribing doctors. The data obtained from prescriptions were analysed and the conclusions were drawn using descriptive analysis.Results: A total of 1516 prescriptions with 3957 drugs were prescribed, out of which 1697 were antibiotics. Average number of drugs per prescription was 2.6 and average number of antibiotics per prescription was 1.1. Patient’s name, age, and gender were mentioned in 99%, 87.8%, and 96% of prescriptions respectively. Generic drug names were used in 0.7% of prescriptions. Out of 1681 antibiotics prescribed in 1574 had appropriate dosage form.Conclusions: The present study highlights the problem of incomplete prescriptions and extensive use of brand names. Intervention strategies focused on education and training, introduction of strict feedback control and monitoring systems are highly effective in reducing prescription errors.

Background: Antibiotics are one among the commonly prescribed drugs. Patterns of antibiotic resistance widely follows local patterns of antibiotic prescribing and usage. Periodic surveillance of antibiotic prescriptions at regional level are essential to understand and combat antimicrobial resistance. To study the prescribing pattern of antibiotics among inpatients of various specialties in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Method: A prospective observational study of prescribing pattern of antibiotics was conducted among inpatients of various specialties in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Antibiotic prescribing data was collected using a semi structured proforma. The data obtained was analyzed and the conclusions were drawn using descriptive analysis.Results: A total of 1161 prescriptions were collected. 3211 antibiotics were prescribed. Mean average duration of treatment with antibiotics per patient was 11.8 days. Use of 3rd generation cephalosporins, imipenem, piperacillin and vancomycin observed. 75% of antibiotics were prescribed for prophylactic use. Antibiotics prescribed for therapeutic indication were supported by clinical, radiological and other investigations like culture and sensitivity reports.Conclusions: The present study highlights the use of antibiotics for long duration among admitted patients. Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship program with adherence to standard treatment guidelines is essential to combat antimicrobial resistance.