Vancomycin Prescription Pattern in a Teaching Hospital: The Promising Role of Antimicrobial Control Programs

Abstract

Background: Irrational use of antibiotics is a healthcare problem which can lead to antibiotic resistance. Vancomycin resistance is developing worldwide and is a huge financial burden to healthcare systems. Antimicrobial control programs are an essential component of educational programs in ensuring the optimal use of antibiotics. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an educational program implemented at an Educational Medical Center on vancomycin prescription patterns.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, pre-post interventional study carried out at Imam Hussein Hospital affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU), Tehran, Iran, between 2014 to 2016. Vancomycin protocol was prepared, then all physicians and assistants were trained through workshops and instructed to order vancomycin based on the approved protocol. The primary objective of this study was to determine the change in vancomycin usage – calculated based on the Defined Daily Dose (DDD) per 100 patient-days in each ward – collected in three phases: at baseline, during the educational program and post-intervention phase.

Results: The data revealed that total vancomycin consumption significantly decreased at the baseline and post-intervention phases in comparison with during the educational program (p=0.007, p= 0.105, respectively).

Conclusion: The educational programs in this study were effective at optimizing antibiotics usage and the study results showed that antimicrobial training programs can be successfully implemented for the management of vancomycin usage at our university-affiliated hospital.