Assessment of the compliance of validated antimicrobial prescriptions in a Tunisian university hospital: a study of 149 prescriptions

IntroductionAntimicrobial prescribing often lacks standardization, leading to potential noncompliance with evidence-based guidelines. To enhance the quality and consistency of antimicrobial therapy, validated prescriptions were implemented in our university hospital. This study aimed to assess their documentation completeness and pharmacological prescription compliance, as well as the satisfaction of prescribers and clinical pharmacists. MethodsA prospective, descriptive, single-center study was conducted over five months (May–October 2023) within the hospital pharmacy department. All validated antimicrobial prescriptions were evaluated for documentation completeness and pharmacotherapeutic appropriateness. A structured satisfaction survey among prescribers and pharmacists complemented the assessment.ResultsA total of 149 validated prescriptions were analyzed, 83% involving antibiotics, including 32% categorized as “Reserve.” Missing information mainly concerned clinical parameters and patient weight. Thirteen validated prescriptions (8.7%) demonstrated pharmacotherapeutic discrepancies, primarily underdosing (66%). Off-label drug use, notably with tigecycline, was frequent but generally deemed clinically appropriate. Overall satisfaction was high, emphasizing clinical relevance and decision-support value.ConclusionValidated prescription constitutes an effective antimicrobial stewardship tool, promoting accurate documentation and therapeutic optimization. Its integration into the electronic medical record could further enhance prescribing governance and improve antimicrobial stewardship.