Antibiotics surveillance in pediatrics in-patients : a point prevalence comparative study between Kingdom of Bahrain and the European Union

Abstract EN

Objective : To determine the variation in drug, dose and indications of antimicrobial prescription in children admitted in the hospital and compare the results with the European countries.

Design : Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) Setting : All existing pediatric and neonatal wards (medical, surgical, PICU, NICU) within Salmaniya Medical Complex.

Method : Data collection was performed using pediatric department and NICU forms.

Essential data collected were the patient’s biographical data and details about the antibiotics used.

Result : The pattern of antibiotics choice and use in Bahrain and the European Union was almost similar in pediatric units.

Almost all antibiotics prescribed were on empirical basis.

Conclusion : There is a high rate of use of intravenous broad spectrum antibiotics in the pediatric services in Salmaniya Medical Complex for surgical prophylaxis and for medical reasons compared to European Union Centers.

The decision to prescribe antimicrobial agents should always be clinically justified and the reasons should be recorded in the patient’s medical record.

It is important not to prescribe antibiotics on “just in case” basis.