AUDIT OF ANTIBIOTIC USAGE IN A MEDIUM-SIZED GENERAL-HOSPITAL OVER AN 11-YEAR PERIOD - THE IMPACT OF ANTIBIOTIC POLICIES

The objective of the present study was to evaluate trends in antibioti c expenditure over an 11-year period (1982-1992) in a 370-bed district general hospital in Northern Ireland and to examine the impact of two separate antibiotic policies on antibiotic usage. A further objective was to examine the attitudes of prescribers to the second policy. Dru g utilization review was used to collect information on antibiotic exp enditure and usage before and after introduction of separate antibioti c policies in 1985 (not intensively monitored) and 1989 (intensively m onitored). A mail questionnaire was used to determine the attitudes of prescribers. The first policy (1985) showed no benefits with regard t o the number of antibiotic entities stocked (45 before, 45 after), num ber of dosage units issued (9.35 increase) or expenditure (33.35 incre ase). The 1989 policy led to significant reductions in the number of a ntibiotic entities stocked (28.9%), number of antibiotics issued (11.9 %) and expenditure (6.1%). Expenditure began to spiral upwards when ac tive monitoring of the second policy was suspended. The majority of pr escribers (87.2%) who responded to the questionnaire (56.5% response r ate) felt that the 1989 policy made a positive contribution to antibio tic usage in the hospital.