Record-linked audit of drug utilization data in a hospital: antimicrobial use on a urology ward.

Antimicrobial drug utilization patterns were studied on a urology ward with a view to establishing base-line data and subsequently determining drug usage data during the implementation of antimicrobial prescribing guidelines. Methods of data collection, storage and interpretation are described. The results of therapeutic audit of the use of antimicrobial agents over a period of time during which discussion, constitution and acceptance of guidelines took place, are described. The effectiveness of a multidisciplinary approach in rationalizing drug prescribing and the effects of intensive monitoring on prescribing patterns are illustrated.