Analysis of Changes in Antibiotic Use Patterns in Korean Hospitals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Hospital Administration

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered healthcare practices and antibiotic prescribing patterns globally.
• Understanding shifts in antibacterial agent usage is crucial for managing antimicrobial resistance and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in antibacterial agent use in Korean hospitals before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To investigate how the pandemic influenced antibiotic prescribing for different patient severities and conditions.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of National Health Insurance System inpatient claims data from Korean hospitals (January 2019 - December 2020).
• Examination of trends in the overall use of antibacterial agents, broad-spectrum agents, and narrow-spectrum beta-lactam agents.
• Stratification of analysis based on patient conditions including pneumonia, severe COVID-19, and mild to moderate COVID-19.

Main Results:

• Overall antibacterial agent use declined in hospitals during the study period.
• A decrease in broad-spectrum and narrow-spectrum beta-lactam agent use was observed.
• Antibiotic use decreased for patients with pneumonia and severe COVID-19 but increased for those with mild to moderate COVID-19.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic led to a reduction in overall antibiotic consumption in Korean hospitals.
• Shifting patterns indicate a decrease in use for severe infections and an increase for milder COVID-19 cases.
• These findings highlight the dynamic nature of antibiotic stewardship during public health crises.