A survey of 189 residents at two large children's hospitals details antibiotic prescribing habits of medical residents. The survey results are published in Hospital Pediatrics.
The survey was divided into two parts — one focused on assessing the residents' knowledge of antibiotics, while the other focused on how the residents acquired their knowledge and prescribing behaviors. Half of the 189 residents returned the surveys.
Here are six findings:
1. Most residents followed prescribing guidelines for the recommended drugs to treat otitis media, streptococcal pharyngitis and urinary tract infections.
2. Many residents did not follow guidelines for treating sinusitis and pneumonia.
3. Only 3 percent of respondents indicated they frequently used antibiograms, a tool used to identify the most effective antibiotics.
4. Around 17 percent noted they did not know what an antibiogram was.
5. Among the residents that knew what an antibiogram was, 50 percent did not know where to access antibiograms specific to their hospitals.
6. Also, around 54 percent of residents said their general pediatric inpatient attending physician was the source of their antibiotic prescribing knowledge and habits.