Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate antibiotic use and its effects before and after infection control committee (ICC) in Atatürk University Faculty of Medicine, Chest Diseases Clinic.

Materials and Methods: A total of 307 patients who were started antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with or without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation, in 2001 (before ICC) and in 2005 (after ICC) were evaluated retrospectively.

Results: Three hundred and seven cases (30.6% female, 69.4% male) were included in the study. The median age was 63.48±14.314 years. Of the patients, 219 had COPD, 68 had CAP, 20 had COPD plus CAP. The average hospitalization period was 13±10 days. After ICC, total duration of antibiotic use, total duration of hospitalization, number of patient who were done antibiotic changing/additional and were connected to mechanical ventilation was significantly higher, however, remarkable differences were not found for mortality rates.

Conclusion: Appropriate antibiotherapy together with concordance between ICC and clinic in cases with COPD and CAP may reduce the duration of hospitalization, the duration of antibiotherapy, and the cost for hospitalization.