Abstract
The use of cephems had grown at our hospital to account for nearly half of all antimicrobial agents prescribed. Quotas for cephems were set and assigned to each ward, and staff information sheets were distributed to all sections after discussion at the committee for prevention of nosocomial infection. As a result, both total use of antimicrobial agents and proportionate use of cephems decreased, whereas proportionate use of penicillin increased. The incidences decreased of S. marcescensisolates resistant to flomoxef and ceftazidime, and P. aeruginosa isolates with resistance to ceftazidime and imipenem. Data sharing by distribution of staff information sheets is important for promoting appropriate use of antimicrobial agents and reducing the incidence of bacterial drug resistance.
