Assessment of pneumonia management in a tertiary care teaching hospital in the United Arab Emirates: A Retrospective study
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Keywords
Antimicrobial stewardship, Drug-related problems, IDSA Guideline adherence, Pneumonia management, United Arab Emirates
Abstract
Introduction: Pneumonia remains a significant health concern, contributing to substantial morbidity, mortality and economic burden globally. Pneumonia is one of the leading cause of premature death, with hospitalization rates reaching alarming levels. Effective management relies on timely diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy. However, deviations from clinical guidelines, the rise of antimicrobial resistance and inappropriate treatment practices pose ongoing challenges in optimizing treatment outcomes. Objective: This study aims to assess the management of pneumonia in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: The study utilized a structured data collection form to extract relevant information from electronic health records of patients aged 18 and above, diagnosed with pneumonia at Tertiary care teaching hospital from January 2022 to December 2023. The World Health Organization’s prescribing indicators and adherence to Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) guidelines were assessed. Drug-related problems were classified using Hepler and Strand’s categorization. Descriptive statistics and regression models were employed for data analysis. Results: Out of 109 patients enrolled, 57.79% were males, and the mean age was 45.44 years. Drug-related problems were identified in 60.55% of patients, with potential drug interactions being the most common (60.75%). Age, gender, length of hospital stays, number of prescribed drugs, and comorbidities along with Pneumonia were not statistically significant predictors of drug-related problems. Conclusion: The study highlighted suboptimal adherence to clinical practice guidelines, the prevalence of drug-related problems, and the need for targeted interventions to improve pneumonia management and optimize patient outcomes in the UAE. Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship programs, enhancing guideline adherence, and implementing strategies to reduce medication-related issues were recommended to address these challenges.
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Snaa AlOmar, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University
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Juny Sebastian, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University
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