A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY ON CONVERSION THERAPY FROM INTRAVENOUS TO ORAL ANTIBIOTICS IN INPATIENTS ADMITTED FOR LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS AT TERTIARY TEACHING HOSPITAL IN MANDYA

Dr. Vishwas ATL*, Amal Joseph, Aleera Samaha Hameed and Anas Rashid K. V.

ABSTRACT

Background: Antibiotics are commonly used to treat lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). Early conversion of antibiotics from intravenous (IV) to oral route helps in preventing thrombophlebitis, reducing cost and cannula related infections. Appropriate use of antibiotics is a crucial for patient safety and public health. So, the aim of our study is on conversion therapy from IV to oral antibiotics. Objective: To evaluate the conversion therapy preferred in LRTIs patients and its relationship with the type of infections. Methodology: This was a record based retrospective study and 177 cases collected based on the inclusion criteria. The obtained information was subjected to suitable statistical methods. Result: Among 177 cases, males (67.79%) are more suffered and age group above 60 years (53.67%) are more hospitalized for pneumonia (32.76%) cases. Cephalosporin (54.29%) antibiotics were commonly prescribed class of drug in that ceftriaxone (43.82%) preferred. Among the conversion therapy switch therapy (60.45%) was commonly used. Chi-square test shows that there is a relationship between type of conversion therapy and type of LRTIs with calculated value 20.368. Conclusion: Our study concludes that male patients are more hospitalized and pneumonia is the common infection. Switch therapy was the commonly preferred type of conversion to treat patients. Cephalosporin antibiotics are preferred in patients for both IV and oral route to treat LRTIs. Clinical pharmacist needs to review the condition of patients for early conversion of IV to oral antibiotics to prevent irrational use of antibiotics.

Keywords: Antibiotics, Switch Therapy, Pneumonia, Cephalosporins, Intravenous.