Prospective drug utilization evaluation of vancomycin in a specialized and sub-specialized pediatric referral hospital in Ahvaz

Vancomycin resistance in intensive care units has significant complications and additional costs. Given the need for rational use of this antibiotic to prevent the occurrence of antibiotic resistance, the present study was designed to evaluate how to prescribe the antibiotic vancomycin consumption pattern in a pediatric subspecialty hospital.

This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted over a 3-month period (February, May, and June) in 2021 at the Pediatric Hospital of Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz. All patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit and infectious disease ward with vancomycin prescription were included in the study. Patients who were hospitalized for less than three days or had no desire to enter the study were excluded from the study. Vancomycin prescription by clinical pharmacist was reviewed based on the latest version of Lexicomp from Wolters Kluwer and the National Health Service (NHS) guidelines.

Of the 91 hospitalized patients, 70.3% (64 cases) were prescribed vancomycin without performing an antibiogram culture based on experience and 29.7% (27 cases) were based on an antibiogram culture. In 96.7% (88 cases) , the duration of intravenous vancomycin infusion did not comply with the protocol. Red Man Syndrome was observed in 8.8% (8 cases). In 91.2 % (83 cases), no adverse effects were reported. In 65.9% (60 cases), the drug dose was determined based on the correct renal function Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and in 34.1%, the drug dose was determined regardless of the renal function of the patients. Vancomycin doses were lower and higher than the guidelines in 6 and 25 patients, respectively. Out of all patients, eighty four cases recovered and seven cases died.

In almost half of the patients, Vancomycin were prescribed based on experience and without performing an antibiogram test. Use of guidelines, Serum level monitoring programs and continuous medical education for doctors can be effective in rational use of antibiotics.