Non-Interventional Monitoring on Antibiotic Consumption in a Critical Care Setting: A Three-Year Comparative Analysis

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Hospital Administration

Background:

• Hospitals are sites for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), including those from resistant bacteria.
• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant public health threat exacerbated by inappropriate antibiotic use.
• This study examines antibiotic consumption in an ICU as part of the Choosing Wisely-Italy initiative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze antibiotic consumption in an intensive care unit (ICU) over a nine-month period.
• To compare current antibiotic use with data from the preceding two years (2016-2017).
• To evaluate the impact of external monitoring on antibiotic stewardship and hygiene behaviors.

Main Methods:

• A nine-month observational study conducted from January to September 2018 in a university hospital ICU.
• Comparison of antibiotic order forms from the study period with the same months in 2016 and 2017.
• Analysis of glove consumption and costs over the three-year period; statistical analysis using ORIGIN and EXCEL software.

Main Results:

• Antibiotic consumption during the observational period was consistent with national averages reported by the National Plan to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance (PNCAR).

Conclusions:

• Regular external monitoring may positively influence antibiotic prescribing and hand hygiene compliance.
• Observational interventions show potential for impacting clinical practice and controlling antimicrobial resistance.
• Further research is recommended to determine the long-term effects of such interventions.