IMPACT OF RESTRICTED ANTIBIOTIC PRESCRIPTION PROTOCOLS: A RETROSPECTIVE BEFORE-AND-AFTER STUDY AT PRINCE ALI BIN AL-HUSSEIN MILITARY HOSPITAL

Duha Mansor Helal Dhaisat P. H.*, Mohammad Esmail Albdairat P. H., Qais Hesham Alshamaileh P. H., Waseem Kareem Saleem P. H. and Omar Naseem Alzriqat P. H.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Overuse of antibiotics is the primary cause of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global health emergency. Healthcare systems fight this by limiting the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics to instances with microbiological confirmation or critical necessity through the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). This retrospective study compares the pre- and post-implementation (2022 and 2023) years to assess the effects of restricted antibiotic policies at Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein Military Hospital in Jordan. Methodology: A retrospective before-and-after study that contrasted the prescribing patterns, expenses, and consumption of antibiotics across two 12-month periods (pre- and post-intervention). Adjusted to account for hospital admission rates in order to account for patient volume, Antibiotic prescriptions are documented in pharmacy records together with the quantity administered (in grams or vials, for example), Monthly hospital admissions are documented in order to standardize consumption measures and Antibiotic shopping expenses (in Jordanian dinar, JD). Objectives: To determine the difference between pre and post implementing restricted Antibiotic protocol and determine the Total monthly expenditure and cost per admission. Results: Colistin: A 21.5% reduction with 1,308.2 JD savings despite a 20% increase in bed occupancy, Meropenem:(500 mg) 14.7% reduction (207.5 JD savings), (1 g) 19.8% reduction (886.7 JD savings), Ertapenem: 7.4% reduction (483.0 JD savings), Imipenem/Cilastatin: 10.3% reduction (1,391.6 JD savings), Total Annual Savings: 4,276 JD, Reductions were highly significant (p < 0.001), confirming they were not due to chance. Conclusion: our study showed Significant reductions in high-risk antibiotic use (e.g., colistin, meropenem) and measurable cost savings, Alignment with global evidence though stricter interventions are needed for antibiotics like ertapenem.

Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, stewardship programs, restricted protocols, military hospitals, cost.