Evaluation of Systemic Antifungal Prescribing Knowledge and Practice in the Critical Care Setting among ICU...

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) pose significant challenges in intensive care units (ICUs).
• Inappropriate antifungal agent use is prevalent in ICUs, necessitating improved prescribing practices.
• Antifungal stewardship programs (AFS) require continuous education for healthcare providers (HCPs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate knowledge gaps in systemic antifungal prescribing among physicians and clinical pharmacists in a critical care setting.
• To identify areas for improvement in antifungal therapy education and stewardship.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, multi-center survey was conducted in five tertiary hospitals in Al-Ahsaa, Saudi Arabia (January-May 2021).
• A self-administered questionnaire assessed knowledge among 63 ICU physicians and clinical pharmacists.
• Statistical analysis compared knowledge scores between physicians and pharmacists.

Main Results:

• A significant majority of HCPs (96.8%) demonstrated moderate or poor knowledge of antifungal prescribing.
• No significant difference in overall knowledge scores was found between ICU physicians and clinical pharmacists (p=0.925).
• Pharmacists exhibited superior knowledge regarding antifungal pharmacokinetics (p=0.05).

Conclusions:

• A substantial knowledge gap exists in systemic antifungal prescribing among clinicians in the Saudi Arabian critical care setting.
• The findings underscore the urgent need for tailored training programs to support effective antifungal stewardship.
• Improved education is crucial for optimizing the management of invasive fungal infections in ICUs.