PRESCRIBING PATTERN OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS IN MEDICAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT OF A SUBURBAN TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN NORTH INDIA

Background : This prospective observational study was conducted to evaluate prescribing pattern of antimicrobial agents (AMAs) in the Medical intensive care unit (MICU) of a suburban tertiary care teaching hospital in Haryana. The ultimate aim is to achieve rational prescription of AMAs so as to reduce resistance against AMAs. Methods : Records of 115 patients of  MICU were evaluated over a period of one year from September 2018 to August 2019. Results :  24% of prescribed drugs in MICU were AMAs. Average number of AMAs used per patient were 3%. The most commonly prescribed AMAs were Cephalosporins (72%) followed by Amikacin (42%) and Piperacillin/Tazobactam (37%). Out of all prescribed AMAs 74% were from the essential drug list. Conclusion : There is a need for forming guidelines at local level for rational prescribing of AMAs based on national guidelines. This will further help in preventing antimicrobial resisitance.