Antibiotic Prescribing Behaviour In The Community:
A Service Evaluation
- Author:
En Po Fung
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Anti-bacterial agents;
Community medicine;
Health service evaluations;
Inappropriate prescriptions;
Physician's practice patterns
- From:The Singapore Family Physician
2016;42(3):101-107
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: A service evaluation was conducted to
identify any areas for improvement in antibiotic
prescribing in the community, and to generate baseline
data on antibiotic prescribing.
Objectives of study: To test whether the specified
characteristics of community doctors and patients were
significantly associated with increased prescribing
frequency; to identify the most frequently prescribed
antibiotics; and to identify the most frequently
recorded positive signs in patients who had been
prescribed antibiotics.
Methods: The study included all patients who were
prescribed antibiotics at Bandar Seri Begawan Health
Centre during public holidays. Study period was 12
months on characteristics of doctors and patients, and 1
month on types of antibiotics and recorded signs. Data
was analyzed using Real Statistics software platforming
on Microsoft Excel.
Results:
Antibiotic prescribing was more frequent in expatriate
doctors , general clinic , and older
patients. The most frequently prescribed oral
and topical antibiotics were amoxycillin (54%), and
chloramphenicol (32%). The most frequently recorded
positive signs in patients with oral and topical
antibiotics were tonsillopharyngeal inflammation, and
eye or conjunctival inflammation, respectively.
Conclusion:
The study recommends auditing of antibiotic
prescribing in tonsillitis and eye or conjunctival
inflammation, and improvement in other identified
areas.