Rate of Rational Use of Antibiotics at Saweangha Hospital in Ang Thong Province

Abstract

Objective: To study the rate of antibiotic use and evaluate the appropriateness of antibiotic use in acute upper respiratory tract infections and bronchitis, acute diarrhea, and fresh traumatic wounds. Methods: This retrospective descriptive study collected data from medical records of outpatients with acute upper respiratory tract infections and bronchitis, acute diarrhea, and fresh traumatic wounds who received care from Saweangha Hospital in Ang Thong Province between January 2022 and December 2024. A total of 19,773 patients passed the inclusion criteria. The study selected a sample of 7,912 people to study rate of drug use and the appropriateness of antibiotic use according to the guidelines for rational antibiotic use. Results: The total number of patients in the study was 7,912. Among 4,834 patients with upper respiratory tract infections and acute bronchitis, 4,366 (90.3%) were given antibiotics rationally. Among 1,616 patients with acute diarrhea, 1,336 (82.7%) were given antibiotics rationally. Among 1,462 patients with fresh traumatic wounds from accidents during the year, 1,185 (81.1%) were given antibiotics rationally. When assessing the drug use according to the rational use criteria, there were 631 patients (7.98%) who did not receive antibiotics but met the criteria to receive the drug. There were 394 patients (4.98%) who did not meet the criteria to receive antibiotics but received the medication. Conclusion: The rate of antibiotic use in the 3 disease groups studied passed the standard criteria. However, when assessing the appropriateness of drug use in detail, it was found that drugs were still being used irrationally. Therefore, there should be an assessment of the appropriateness of drug use in order to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.