Impact of an antimicrobial stewardship program on critical haematological patients

Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs) have appeared as very useful tools in order to improve the use of antimicrobial agents. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of an ASP on haematological patients hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

A quasi-experimental pre-post intervention study, which included haematological patients admitted to an ICU and assessed by the ASP program during 3 years. The impact of the program on patient evolution was assessed by comparison between the previous period and the intervention period in terms of mortality, mean stay, number of re-hospitalizations, and duration of mechanical ventilation for intubated patients.

The ASP team assessed 324 antimicrobial agents in 169 patients; they recommended 121 modifications, including 55 treatment discontinuations. Compared with the pre-intervention period, there were no significant differences in the variables assessed. No variation was observed in colonization by multi-resistant bacteria.

The implementation of an APS on critical haematological patients will lead to a relevant number of treatment modifications, without any impact on the clinical evolution of patients.