Effect of an educational intervention on oral cephalosporin use in primary care.

The prescribing of oral cephalosporin antibiotics in an ambulatory setting was evaluated before and after an educational intervention. A drug utilization review used previously developed criteria to study the indications, processes, complications, and outcome for oral cephalosporins in the outpatient setting. Baseline data were collected for one year in the initial phase of the study. Only one prescription (1.4%) in the initial phase (0.96% of the total) met the criteria for appropriate use. However, during the year after an educational intervention by a clinical pharmacist explaining the proper use of oral cephalosporins, the prescribing of these agents decreased substantially. Educational strategies in medical schools and residency programs that seek to improve drug-prescribing behavior should combine drug utilization review programs with specific education about the appropriate use of pharmacologic agents.