[Surveillance of cephalosporins therapy in therapeutic practice of 15 Italian hospitals (author's transl)].

A retrospective review and evaluation of systemic cephalosporin therapy in 15 hospitals of various italian Regions was conducted. In any hospital the Pharmacy Service has examined a random sample of medical records of hospitalized patients exposed to cephalosporin therapy over a twelve month period (January-December 1976). In the years 1974-1976 were also examined the consumption and cost for Penicillin G, Ampicillin and Cephalosporins. A standard protocol and methodology for homogeneous collection of data was developed. On the base of collected data, the patterns of choice, the rational and irrational use, the role of cephalosporins in hospital practice are discussed.