Adherence to antimicrobial guidelines in the Emergency Department at a community hospital in Qatar

Abstract

Background: Non-adherence to antimicrobial guidelines is a major factor leading to emergence of antimicrobial drug resistance. Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the adherence to local antimicrobial guidelines in the Emergency Department (ED) at Al Wakra Hospital in the state of Qatar. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional, retrospective study was carried out in the Emergency Department of Al Wakra Hospital in Qatar. Prescriptions of 219 patients were investigated to study the adherence to antimicrobial guidelines. The relation of sex, age and emergency unit type to antimicrobial adherence as well as the appropriateness of antimicrobial prescribed on discharge were also evaluated. Results: Overall adherence and non-adherence to local antimicrobial guidelines was found to be 41% and 59% of prescriptions respectively (P-value = 0.007). Participants had mean age of 42 ± 15.5. More adherence to guidelines was found among female patients and in critical care units. Furthermore, antimicrobial prescribed to patients on discharge was found to be appropriate in 60% of patients (P-value = 0.04). Conclusion: Education of physicians and additional studies should be conducted in order to further investigate and improve adherence to antimicrobial guidelines.