Drug Utilisation Pattern & Post-Operative Medication Management In Hysterectomy Patients In A Gynecology Ward

Abstract

Cellulitis is a common bacterial infection involving the skin and subcutaneous tissues that requires prompt and appropriate antibiotic therapy. Inappropriate or excessive antibiotic use contributes to antimicrobial resistance, increased healthcare costs, and suboptimal clinical outcomes. This prospective observational study was conducted over six months in the Department of Surgery at a tertiary care hospital to evaluate antibiotic prescribing patterns in cellulitis patients and assess adherence to standard treatment guidelines using drug utilization metrics. A total of 100 hospitalized patients diagnosed with cellulitis were included. Data were collected from case records, medication charts, and laboratory reports. Antibiotic utilization was evaluated using the World Health Organization (WHO) Defined Daily Dose (DDD) and Drug Utilization 90% (DU90%) methodologies, while statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and one-way ANOVA. The majority of patients were aged 41–60 years (68%), with a predominance of males (65%), and lower limb cellulitis was the most common presentation (74%). Ceftriaxone (46%) was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic, followed by amoxicillin–clavulanate (17%) and clindamycin (16%). DU90% analysis demonstrated that ceftriaxone, amoxicillin–clavulanate, linezolid, and clindamycin accounted for most antibiotic consumption. The overall clinical recovery rate was 73%, whereas patients with severe cellulitis experienced prolonged hospital stays and comparatively lower recovery rates. A statistically significant association was observed between disease severity and length of hospital stay (p < 0.05). The findings indicate that antibiotic prescribing was predominantly empirical, with considerable reliance on broad-spectrum antibiotics. Although treatment outcomes were generally favorable, improving adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines and promoting culture-directed antimicrobial therapy are essential to optimize antibiotic use, minimize antimicrobial resistance, and enhance patient outcomes.