Purpose : This preliminary study was aimed to investigate potentially beneficial changes in prescription of antibiotics by use of Gram staining in an otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic.
Methods : This study was done in a single clinic. Changes in the type and amount of antibiotics prescribed, in addition to the clinical outcomes prior to and following introduction of Gram staining, were analyzed retrospectively.
Results : Following introduction of Gram staining in 2005, the costs for antibiotics per person per year decreased to about one-fifth. The number of prescriptions per 100 patients decreased from 20.9 in 2006 to 3.6 in 2012 for macrolides, from 7.9 in 2005 to 2.4 in 2012 for third-generation cephalosporins, and increased from 1.6 in 2004 to 3.9 in 2012 for penicillins. In addition, for every 50 pediatric cases of acute sinusitis, the number of patients to whom no antibiotics were prescribed increased 9-fold and the number of patients to whom 2 or more types of antibiotics were prescribed decreased from 26 to 9 cases, while the mean period in days until resolution was shortened by 6 days.
Conclusion : The results of this pilot study suggest that the use of Gram staining for diagnosis and prescription of antibiotics in an otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic may lead to significantly improved antibiotic prescription practices. Further study through proper controlled studies are felt to be neceesary.