Prevalence and nature of off-label antibiotic prescribing for children in a tertiary setting: a descriptive study from Jordan
Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of off-label antibiotics in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and paediatric wards in Jordan. Methods: Data of patients admitted to the neonatal intensive care units and paediatric wards in King Abdulla University Hospital were collected over an 8-week survey between May and July 2012. Data collected in this study included patients' age, weight, medical history, diagnosis and the details of antibiotics prescribed to each patient. Results: The study involved a total of 250 children (80 admitted to the NICU and 170 admitted to the wards). A total of 598 antibiotic prescriptions were issued for these patients (244 in NICUs and 354 in paediatricwards). The results of the present study show that off-label antibiotic prescribing to paediatric patients is very common. Off-label antibiotic prescribing to paediatric patients is related mostly to doses and indications, and rarely to age. The majority of admitted patients received at least one off-label antibiotic during their hospital stay. Conclusion: This study reveals the high prevalence of off-label use of antibiotic among paediatric children in Jordan. There is a serious need for robust and continuous educational programs to improve the awareness of paediatricians of guidelines surrounding the use of antibiotics in paediatric patients. Furthermore, true collaboration between paediatricians and clinical pharmacists towards safe and effective antibiotic prescribing in paediatric patients is crucial.
Main Authors: | Mukattash,Tareq L., Hayajneh,Wail A., Ibrahim,Shorok M., Ayoub,Abeer, Ayoub,Nehad, Jarab,Anan S., Khdour,Maher, Almaaytah,Ammar |
---|---|
Format: | Digital revista |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Centro de Investigaciones y Publicaciones Farmacéuticas
2016
|
Online Access: | http://scielo.isciii.es/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1885-642X2016000300003 |
Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
Similar Items
-
Pharmaceutical care in community pharmacies in Jordan: a public survey
by: Mukattash,Tareq L, et al.
Published: (2018) -
A qualitative assessment of the pediatric content in pharmacy curricula adopted by pharmacy schools in Jordan
by: Mukattash,Tareq L, et al.
Published: (2019) -
Pharmacists’ perception of their role during COVID-19: a qualitative content analysis of posts on Facebook pharmacy groups in Jordan
by: Mukattash,Tareq L, et al.
Published: (2020) -
Resisting the urge to prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance and dentistry
by: Wood,NH
Published: (2022) -
Assessment of off-label prescribing: profile, evidence and evolution
by: Blanco-Reina,Encarnación, et al.
Published: (2017)