Audit of use of antimicrobial agents at a tertiary health centre in Lagos, Nigeria

Antimicrobial agents are reported to be the commonest prescribed medication among physicians. Studies have shown that up to 50% of antimicrobial agents prescriptions are inappropriate. The study was a retrospective cross-sectional design. Records of all patients admitted to both the medical and paediatrics wards during the period of audit were reviewed after discharge from the hospital. The appropriateness of the prescribed antimicrobial agents given to them was determined by a microbiologist who was independent of the team that managed the patients. More than 50% of antimicrobial agents prescribed for our inpatients were inappropriate. The most common test done to investigate infections in these patients was complete blood count and the most common class of antimicrobial agents prescribed was cephalosporin. Based on the outcomes of this study we recommend constituting a drug and therapeutics committee to develop an antimicrobial stewardship policy and the guideline for implementing the policy for a more rational use of these agents.    Key words: Antimicrobial agents, physicians, prescriptions.