Hospital use of antimicrobial drugs. Survey at 19 hospitals and results of antimicrobial control program.

Costs and use of antimicrobial agents in 1976 at 19 hospitals were surveyed by review of pharmacy records. Total costs of antimicrobial drugs at individual hospitals ranged from $0.65 to $1.75 per patient day and accounted for 16% to 41% of total pharmacy drug costs. There was marked variation among hospitals in use of specific antimicrobial agents, especially cephalosporins and clindamycin. The cephalosporin and aminoglycoside antibiotics accounted for 66% of the total cost of antimicrobial agents. An 18-month antimicrobial drug control program at one hospital decreased antimicrobial drug costs by 31%. The major effect was in reducing cephalosporin use. The results of the control program document that a significant portion of hospital antimicrobial use is inappropriate and can be eliminated without apparent detriment to patient care.