(T/F) Up to 50% of antibiotic use in hospitals is unnecessary or inappropriate.

• A. FALSE
• B. NOT SURE
• C. CANNOT DETERMINE
• D. TRUE

Answer: (D)

Antibiotic stewardship in hospitals emphasizes ensuring prescriptions are appropriate in indication, spectrum, dose, duration, and de-escalation. Across many hospital settings, audits repeatedly show that a substantial portion of antibiotic use does not meet guidelines, with estimates often cited as up to about half being unnecessary or inappropriate. This reflects common issues like treating viral infections with antibiotics, using broad-spectrum agents when narrower options suffice, and not stopping therapy or narrowing based on culture results.

Understanding this helps explain why stewardship programs focus on daily reviews, de-escalation, switching from IV to oral when possible, and aligning duration with evidence-based recommendations. The high potential for inappropriate use is precisely why these programs are essential—to reduce adverse effects, resistance, and costs while improving patient outcomes.