| This retrospective study aimed to characterize antibiotic use among older adults admitted to acute care surgery services at a
tertiary care teaching hospital. Detailed data on diagnoses, chronic conditions, surgeries, and antibiotic administration were
collected and evaluated against published guidelines. Of the 906 patients admitted during the study period, 458 underwent
surgery, primarily for small bowel obstruction and acute cholecystitis. Among 502 non-elective abdominal operations,
50.5% received perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis, with errors observed in timing (16.5%) and dose (13.4%). Additionally,
45.2% of patients received appropriate first-line antibiotics for their underlying condition, while inappropriate use of second
or third-line antibiotics and unnecessary use of first-line agents were noted. Treatment duration varied significantly for
patients with the same diagnosis. These findings underscore the need for quality improvement initiatives to optimize
antibiotic prescribing practices and ensure optimal care for older surgical patients in complex hospital settings.ddd |
