J Pediatr Infect Dis 2014; 09(03): 147-150
DOI: 10.3233/JPI-140428
Review Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart – New York

First point prevalence survey of neonatal and pediatric antibiotic prescribing in a secondary care hospital in Macedonia

Gabriela Tavchioska
a   General Hospital, Borka Taleski, Prilep, Macedonia
,
Hernan Goossens
b   Univerisity of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
› Author Affiliations

Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

24 August 2014

14 October 2014

Publication Date:
28 July 2015 (online)

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance program was developed by Macedonian Ministry of Health in order to improve and expand surveillance of antibiotic use and resistance. As a part of Antibiotic Resistance and Prescribing in European Children or ARPEC study, a point prevalence survey was conducted at General Hospital "Borka Taleski" in Prilep. To present the data from the first point prevalence survey of neonatal and pediatric antibiotic prescribing in secondary care hospital in Macedonia, describe the current antimicrobial prescribing practices at this institution and gather baseline data for future interventions to improve the antimicrobial use. A point prevalence survey was conducted within the pediatric and neonatal departments. Twenty three patients were surveyed: 12 in the pediatric department and 11 in the neonatal unit. 92% of pediatric patients were treated with antibiotics compared with an average of 36% in pediatric departments in other European countries (p < 0.05). 18% of hospitalized neonates were treated with antibiotic compared with 8% in other European neonatal departments (p < 0.05). Assessment of current antibiotic use in general hospitals is very important for further work on antibiotic prescribing.