Drug Utilization Evaluation (DUE) of vancomycin: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: Evaluating the use of antibiotics leads to identifying drug problems, preventing antibiotic resistance, and controlling the cost of medication. The aim of this study was to Drug Utilization Evaluation (DUE) of vancomycin. METHODS: This study was a descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study. Sampling method was the census. The information was collected through a checklist and referring to patients' files. RESULTS: 170 children and 120 adults who received vancomycin were studied. The dose of vancomycin in the studied adults was 40.6% and 61% was in accordance with the Uptodate guideline. Also, the duration of treatment in the studied children was 10.6% and 15.3% according to the Uptodate guideline and in adults 30%, 39.2% was in accordance with the Uptodate guideline. Also, the indication for vancomycin in children was 14.1% and 18.8% in accordance with the Uptodate guideline, and in adults 40% and 52.5% was in accordance with the Uptodate guideline. The highest initial diagnosis in children was RDS 54.1%, seizure 9.4%, jaundice 9.4% and pneumonia 8.2%, and in adults 30% CRF and 11.7% catheter. In children, the most common complications were related to shortness of breath 41.2%, fever 18.8% and jaundice 11.8%, and in adults were related to fever 32.5%, lethargy 26.7% and shortness of breath 20%, respectively. CONCLUSION: It is recommended to improve the administration and rational use of antibiotics and prevent the occurrence of microbial resistance, to follow the treatment patterns based on international standards in hospitals.