Prescribing antibiotics: how closely are local guidelines adhered to?

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Abstract
In the light of the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, and increasing resistance to these drugs, an audit was undertaken to examine how closely local guidelines are adhered to in the author’s workplace. Examining the prescribing of ciprofloxacin, it was ascertained that this drug is prescribed appropriately as second line in 79% of cases, although specific antibitotic sensitivities were obtained in only 16% of patients. This audit was conducted before the publication of the new 2004 NHS Tayside Area Prescribing Guide, therefore this article reveals how closely the 2002 guidelines were adhered to.