HOW HAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AFFECTED ANTIBIOTIC PRESCRIBING IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS?

Abstract

For the last 2 years, the world has been living in the COVID-19 pandemic. High numbers of clinical cases, overburdened health care systems, and hastily created guidelines may lead to inappropriate use of antibiotics. Aim of our survey was to study antibiotic prescribing among the COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospitals in Georgia and to detect the main trends. The prevalence of antibiotic use did not change significantly during the pandemic. mostly broad spectrum third-generation cephalosporins were used. Compared to the pre-pandemic period, second and first generation cephalosporins were hardly used. An increased use of fluoroquinoline and macrolides during the pandemic is noticeable. One of the reasons for the increased use of the broad-spectrum antibiotics can be considered mainly empirical antibiotic therapy. Based on the results of our research, we can assume that in the post-pandemic period the resistance against the broad-spectrum antibiotics is expected to increase.