Plethora of Antibiotics Usage and Evaluation of Carbapenem Prescribing Pattern in Intensive Care Units: A Single-Center Experience of Malaysian Academic Hospital

Abstract

Excessive antibiotic consumption is still common among critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU), especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) period. Moreover, information regarding antimicrobial consumption among ICUs in South-East Asia remains scarce and limited. This study aims to determine antibiotics utilization in ICUs by measuring antibiotics consumption over the past six years (2016–2021) and specifically evaluating carbapenems prescribed in a COVID-19 ICU and a general intensive care unit (GICU) during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional observational analysis of antibiotics consumption and carbapenems prescriptions. Antibiotic utilization data were estimated using the WHO Defined Daily Doses (DDD). Carbapenems prescription information was extracted from the audits conducted by ward pharmacists. Patients who were prescribed carbapenems during their admission to COVID-19 ICU and GICU were included. Patients who passed away before being reviewed by the pharmacists were excluded. (3) Results: In general, antibiotics consumption increased markedly in the year 2021 when compared to previous years. Majority of carbapenems were prescribed empirically (86.8%). Comparing COVID-19 ICU and GICU, the reasons for empirical carbapenems therapy in COVID-19 ICU was predominantly for therapy escalation (64.7% COVID-19 ICU vs. 34% GICU, p < 0.001), whereas empirical prescription in GICU was for coverage of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) gram-negative bacteria (GNB) (45.3% GICU vs. 22.4% COVID-19 ICU, p = 0.005). Despite microbiological evidence, the empirical carbapenems were continued for a median (interquartile range (IQR)) of seven (5–8) days. This implies the need for a rapid diagnostic assay on direct specimens, together with comprehensive antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) discourse with intensivists to address this issue.

A Pharmacovigilance Study Regarding the Risk of Antibiotic-Associated Clostridioides difficile Infection Based on Reports from the EudraVigilance Database: Analysis of Some of the Most Used Antibiotics in Intensive Care Units

“…The carbapenem family of antibacterials is well known for its broad range of effectiveness, making them the most frequently prescribed antibiotics in intensive care units for drug-resistant infections [15,16]. A recent study found that prior exposure to MER was present in 27.60% of patients with CDI, preceded only by piperacillin/tazobactam (PIP/TAZ) in 77.60% of cases of CDI [17].…”

Association between Carbapenem Consumption and Clinical Outcomes in an In-Hospital Setting: Analysis of a Japanese Nationwide Administrative Database in 2020

“…Carbapenem consumption should be kept to a minimum to conserve carbapenem efficacy in the future [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. In Japan, carbapenem consumption accounted for approximately 10% of all parenteral antimicrobial consumption [ 12 ].…”