Hadi Hamishehkar
1, Davoud Ebrahimi
2, Ata Mahmoodpoor
3, Siminozar Mashayekhi
4, Parina Asgharian
5, Haleh Rezaee
6*1 Drug Applied Research Center, Clinical Pharmacy (Pharmacotherapy) Department, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
2 Iranian Evidence Based Medicine Center of Excellence, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
3 Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
4 Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
5 Student Research Committee, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz Univ ersity of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
6 Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
Drug Utilization Evaluation (DUE)
studies are designed to evaluate drug usage appropriateness. In this study we evaluated
the relevant use of vancomycin in a teaching hospital in Iran. The results of
this study may be of help for clinicians to improve the patient care. Methods:
The use of vancomycin was evaluated in a cross-sectional and prospective study
from October 2011 until June 2012. Vancomycin administration was assessed
according to CDC and ASHP guidelines. Predesigned data collection was
implemented in this study. Information collected from medical records,
patient’s history, medical orders, nursing reports and the experimental results
available in the patient’s records. Results: During the study
period, 75 cases were been evaluated from all of the hospital wards. The median
age of patients was 46.65±20.04 years (mean ± SD). The median time of
vancomycin use in the study population was 9.35±5.70 days. most of the patients received vancomycin, had been
hospitalized for trauma problems. In this study 30.7% of cases received
vancomycin appropriately and in
accordance to standard guidelines. Conclusion: Based on the
results of our study, a substantial percentage of the patients (69.3%),
received vancomycin inappropriately. It is essential to promote practical
guidelines about utilizing culture and sensitivity testing when considering the
use of important and broad spectrum antibiotics. Also educational programs for
health care professionals regarding rational use of antibiotics can be helpful
in improving antimicrobial medications utilization and monitoring.