An Evaluation of Guideline Concordance in the Management of Intra-Abdominal Infections

Optimal treatment of intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) is multifaceted, typically requiring surgical intervention and antimicrobial therapy. Treatment of IAIs aligned with the 2017 revised Surgical Infection Society (SIS) guidelines may improve patient outcomes. Here we compare clinical outcomes of patients who received guideline concordant and discordant therapy for treatment of IAIs. This was a retrospective observational study of patients admitted from January 2013 to June 2016 with IAIs. Guideline concordant treatment was based on three criteria: source control, antibiotic choice, and antibiotic duration. The primary outcome was a composite of in-hospital mortality and 30-day re-admission. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine independent factors associated with the composite end point. A total of 221 patients were included, with guideline concordant treatment occurring in 117 (53%) patients. In-hospital mortality or 30-day re-admission occurred in 15 (12.8%) patients in the guideline concordant group compared with 24 (23.1%) in the guideline discordant group (p = 0.046). Empiric antibiotic choice was the most common component of discordance to guidelines (61% of patients). In multivariable analysis, guideline concordant treatment was associated with a decrease in the composite outcome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.461, p = 0.045). In contrast, the presence of empiric methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)/vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) coverage (aOR: 2.645, p = 0.030), and moderate-to-severe liver disease (aOR: 8.081, p = 0.027) were associated with an increased risk for the composite outcome. Concordance to recommendations from the 2017 revised SIS guidelines is of critical importance in the optimal management of IAIs and further investigation of interventions to improve concordance are warranted.