Introduction:

acute tonsillopharyngitis (ATP) is one of the most common childhood diseases. The diagnosis and therapeutic management is simple. Further, a consensus document exists in Spain since 2011. The aim of this study is to analyze the appropriateness to consensus in a general hospital, where an author of the consensus document is working.

Patients and methods:

a descriptive, cross-sectional, single-center and local study was conducted from January to December 2015. All children ≤ 14 years diagnosed as ATP in the Pediatric Emergency room were included. Clinical records and complementary tools were retrospectively studied.

Results:

a total of 176 ATP were analyzed (52.3% girls). Clinical assessment was always performed by McIsaac score. After conducting culture or a rapid antigen-detection test, 46.5% of children received antibiotics. Selection of antimicrobials and prescribed doses were 100% adjusted to consensus. Dose ranges and duration of treatment were >85% appropriated. Only two of 17 pediatricians working on the hospital were responsible of inappropriate prescriptions.

Conclusions:

appropriateness is higher than reported in other studies. Rational use of antibiotics could be improved through continuous and regular training by experts in pediatric infectious diseases. In addition, it is suggested to analyze inappropriate prescribers to select pediatricians that should receive specific training. In Spain, it is of primordial importance to adapt the prescribing of antibiotics to the scientific evidence.

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