assessment of vancomycin monitoring among paediatrics in north jordan: a retrospective study

To assess vancomycin monitoring among paediatrics in north jordan at king abdullah university hospital (kauh). a retrospective chart review study of 884 paediatric patients aged 1 to 17 years old admitted to kauh between january 1st, 2014, to december 31st, 2018, and received vancomycin for any reason. all data of patient were extracted and analysed accordingly. data includes sociodemographic, indications of prescribing vancomycin, vancomycin starting doses and frequencies, changes in doses and frequencies, and treatment duration, the pre and post vancomycin serum creatinine levels, and measured vancomycin trough levels a total of 884 paediatric patients were included in our study. there were 63.3% males and 36.7% females. the most common indications were bacterial meningitis (18.2%), ventriculitis (3.1%), and brain abscess (1.5%), collectively comprising 22.8% of cns infections. the majority were started on vancomycin doses of 500 mg and less, and 28.2% of the subjects started on 351-500mg. only 3.3% of subjects had no serum creatinine measurement prior to initiating vancomycin. inconsistent timing in drawing trough levels most of which are drawn at incorrect times was noticed. only 7 of the 23 subjects who had trough readings were within the goal range of 10-20 µg/ml. there is a clear defect in vancomycin therapy monitoring in kauh, thus raising the risk of not delivering optimal treatment to paediatrics. educating the healthcare team about the most recent guidelines for vancomycin and activating the role of clinical pharmacists are needed.