Vancomycin Utilization Evaluation at Hematology-Oncology Ward of a Teaching Hospital in Iran

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pattern of vancomycin administration in the hematology-oncology ward of Nemazee Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. Study criteria were developed to assess the several parameters involved in vancomycin therapy. These parameters include the appropriateness of drug usage, dosage, duration of therapy, monitoring for toxicity and serum concentration monitoring. The serum concentration was measured by an automated Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay. Clinical and preclinical parameters such as Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), microbial culture, antibacterial sensitivity, WBC count and fever were collected and recorded for analysis. Sixty patients were enrolled in the study, consisting of 45 males and 15 females. The age range was 15 to 68 years. In this study, 68.63% of the vancomycin used for the patients with febrile neutropenia was compatible with the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) guideline. The initial dosage of vancomycin in 68.63%, rate of infusion in 100%, and dilution of vancomycin in100%, were appropriate. Inappropriate use was more evident in the continuation of vancomycin in 50% of the patients. No appropriate dosage adjustment was done for 50% of the patients with increased serum creatinine. Based on the results, the indication of vancomycin in febrile neutropenia was satisfactory. However, there were some required factors such as continuation of vancomycin, adjustment of dosage or interval, microbial culture, antibiotic sensitivity test before the first dose administration, measurement of serum concentration and monitoring which had to be revised in order to achieve an effective treatment.