Creation of ceftazidime-avibactam utilization evaluation standards to examine physician prescribing compliance: a retrospective study

A study was conducted to create drug utilization evaluation (DUE) standards for ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) and evaluate CZA use at the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, China, from May 26, 2020, to December 18, 2024. First, we organized an expert panel and created DUE standards for CZA. Then, we performed an observational study and evaluated the physician CZA prescribing behaviors, which were compared to the DUE standards and calculated the compliance rates. The DUE CZA standards had medication indications, management metrics, administration process, and treatment outcomes. Sixty-four patients received the CZA during the study period. There was satisfactory compliance between CZA prescription and DUE standards regarding route, solvent, incompatibility, and contraindications. However, the compliance rates for CZA indication, dosage regimen, infusion time, combination therapy, drug interaction, and duration of treatment were 68.8% (44/64), 65.6% (42/64), 29.7% (19/64), 73.3% (44/60), 43.8% (28/64), and 62.5% (40/64), respectively. The pre-CZA bacteria culture test was 96.9% (62/64). In addition, medical records and prescription authorization were 95.3% (61/64) and 71.9% (46/64) compliant, respectively. No adverse reactions were reported. In conclusion, the CZA DUE standards could be applied to identify inappropriate prescriptions for improvements.