Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part A (2025)

Beta-lactam antibiotics play a crucial role in the treatment of infectious diseases. However, the increasing antimicrobial resistance necessitates a critical evaluation of prescription patterns and adherence to national guidelines. This retrospective observational study was conducted at PVS Hospital (P) Ltd, Calicut, Kerala, to assess the prescribing pattern and guideline adherence of beta-lactam antibiotics. Medical records from January 2016 to January 2022 were analyzed for 100 patients meeting the study criteria. The study found that pneumonia (52%) was the most commonly treated infectious disease, followed by urinary tract infections (25%). Among the prescriptions, 57% were monotherapy, with penicillins (47.36%) being the most frequently used class, followed by cephalosporins (43.85%). Combination therapy accounted for 43%, with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid being the most prescribed regimen.
Comorbidities were present in 71% of the patients, with hypertension (52.11%) being the most prevalent, followed by diabetes mellitus (33.8%). The study revealed that only 43% of prescriptions adhered to the National Treatment Guidelines, while 57% deviated due to incorrect drug selection (66.6%), dosage (14.05%), frequency (12.2%), or duration (7.01%). Comorbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia were significantly associated with poor adherence to guidelines.
The study underscores the need for improved guideline adherence through educational interventions, clinical pharmacist involvement, and stricter adherence monitoring. Enhancing antibiotic stewardship programs can minimize resistance development and improve treatment outcomes.