"PERCEIVE THE PRACTICE OF INTRAVENOUS-TO-ORAL CONVERSION OF ANTIBIOTICS AND TO SCRUTINIZE ITS INFLUENCE ON THE LENGTH OF HOSPITAL STAY: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY"

Background: Development of antibiotic resistance is an increasing global concern, for which several authorities have developed some programs. Antimicrobial stewardship program is developed to limit the unnecessary use of antibiotics which helps reducing antibiotic resistance. To do so, AMSP have developed several strategies. One such strategy is called intravenous-to-oral conversion of antibiotics.Objectives: The study was aimed to determine different IV-to-PO conversion methods, in accordance with antimicrobial stewardship program, and to find the influence of conversion on the length of hospital stay. Also to compare the cost of intravenous and oral antibiotics, identifying which one is economical and more convenient for the patient.Approach:A prospective observational study was conducted for 200 patients at a secondary care hospital in Surat from October 2021 to march 2022.Patients who were hospitalized for >= 24 hrs and administered with IV antibiotics were included the study.Results: Out of 200 patients,161 (80.5%) were converted from IV-to-PO, and 39 (19.5%) were not converted. It was found that 82 (41%) patients were prescribed antibiotics as prophylaxis therapy, 26 (13%) were given empirical therapy, and 92 (46%) had documented infections. A total of 470 antibiotics were prescribed during the study, in which most prescribed antibiotics were cephalosporins 231 (49.14%).LOHS for patients not converted from IV-to-PO was 1.43 days longer than that of the converted cases. The LOHS for patient converted from IV-to-PO was significantly shorter (p<0.05) than those who were not converted. After conversion from IV-to-PO, average cost saved for single therapy was INR 125.62 (47.54%).Conclusion: Along with reducing the development of antibiotic resistance, timely and appropriate switching of antibiotics from IV-to-PO route could reduce the length of hospitalization and economic burden of the patient. It will also eliminate IV line infections. So this strategy should be promoted and implemented. Future research is recommended.