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Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of aminoglycosides in Danish intensive care units. Special attention was given to dosage recommendations, the availability of written recommendations and the use of therapeutic drug monitoring. Materials and methods: A questionnaire containing 19 questions concerning the use of aminoglycosides was distributed to all departments of anaesthesiology in Denmark in May 2001. Results: Fifty-seven departments, 12 of which had no intensive care unit, answered the questionnaire. In 41 of the 45 intensive care units (91%), aminoglycosides were used. In one hospital, aminoglycoside treatment was administered by the medical department. Thus, the results comprised data obtained from 40 departments. In 35 of these, gentamicin was the drug of choice. In 27 (68%) of the departments, a fixed dosage regimen was used, and in 25 of these departments written guidelines were available. Twelve of the guidelines that were returned could be classified as dosage recommendations. In 26 departments, the initial dosage was determined by the weight of the patient (3-5 mg/kg body mass). In nine departments, the same initial dose was used for all patients. In 30 departments, the maintenance dosage was determined on the basis of measurements of serum drug concentrations and renal function. In ten departments, the maintenance dose was exclusively determined on the basis of serum drug concentrations. No limitation on the length of therapy was present in 29 (73%) of the departments examined. In ten departments, limitations on the total length of treatment were present. Discussion: Aminoglycosides are still part of the antibiotic treatment in Danish intensive care units. Gentamicin is the most frequently used aminoglycoside. The results from the questionnaire indicate large national variations with respect to the administration of aminogycosides and therapeutic drug monitoring, and development of national guidelines is strongly recommended.

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