Publication: DRUG UTILISATION REVIEW AMONG PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS ADMITTED FOR THE TREATMENT OF INFECTIONS AT A PRIVATE TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN KLANG, MALAYSIA
Date
2024
Authors
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Publisher
IMU University
Abstract
Drug utilisation review among paediatric patients admitted for the treatment of infections at a private tertiary hospital in Klang, Malaysia
Background: Infectious diseases are the most common type of illnesses affecting children. Compared to adults, paediatric patients are at higher risk of contracting infections and are more sensitive to the harmful effects of medications. Therefore, a drug utilisation review is crucial to understand the prescribing practice and analyse the appropriateness of drug usage among this vulnerable population.
Objective: The objectives of this study were to identify the common types of infections among admitted paediatric patients and to assess the prescribing pattern and appropriateness of antimicrobials prescribed for the treatment of infections among children in a private hospital setting.
Method: A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted in a private tertiary hospital in Klang for 6 months. Paediatric patients aged 12 years old and below, hospitalised due to any type of infection were enrolled. The medical records and prescriptions of those who met the inclusion criteria were screened. Data collected were analysed and the appropriateness of antimicrobials used was compared with the National Antimicrobial Guideline (NAG) recommendations.
Results: A total of 300 paediatric patients were included in this study. Most of the patients were admitted due to lower respiratory tract infections, accounting for 38.67% of the total cases. The majority of them (95%) were prescribed with at least one antimicrobial agent. Ceftriaxone (29.67%) was the most prescribed antimicrobial, followed by cefuroxime (23.98%) and azithromycin (17.07%). Almost half of the antimicrobials prescribed (49.18%) were associated with antimicrobials-related problems, particularly due to unnecessary antimicrobials used (47.87%) and inappropriate choice of antimicrobials (27.01%) which were non-compliance with the guideline’s recommendations. At least one drug-drug interactions was identified in 74 paediatric patients, with moderate severity (71.43%) being the highest.
Conclusion: This study provided an overview of drug utilisation patterns and served as the basis to promote rational medication prescribing for the treatment of infections among paediatric patients.
Keywords: drug utilisation, infections, antimicrobials, paediatrics, private hospital
Description
Keywords
Drug Utilization Review, Pediatrics, Patient Participation, Hospitals, Private, Tertiary Care Centers, Malaysia, Infections, Cross-Sectional Studies