OBJECTIVE To find out about the transverse section use rate of antimicrobials in our hospital. METHODS A transverse section survey was made from midnight on June 24,2004 to midnight on June 25,2004 within all the inpatients. RESULTS Among 1132 inpatients,the transverse section use rate of antimicrobials was 58.83%,the combined medication ratio being 34.08%.Of all antimicrobial takers 65.92% were given single drug,31.68% double,and 2.40% were given triple.Among all departments of the hospital,the universal ICU had the highest use rate which was 100.00%,next to which were those in the departments of nephrology and gynecology,being respectively 90.00% and 87.23%.The antimicrobial use rate in surgical department(69.68%) was remarkably higher than that in medical department(43.08%).The departments of ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology had the highest prophylactic use rate which was 83.64%.Rate of etiological examination for therapeutic medication in the whole hospital was 35.97%. CONCLUSIONS The transverse section use rate of antimicrobial in our hospital is slightly higher than the national average use rate.The constituent ratio of prophylactic medication is on the high side and the rate of etiological examination for therapeutic medication is on the low side.Management should be further strengthened for rational use of antimicrobials.