Point-Counterpoint: The "obsoletogram"-are annual hospital antibiograms still relevant?

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Antimicrobial Stewardship

Background:

• Annual hospital antibiograms report antimicrobial susceptibility data from clinical isolates.
• They are crucial for guiding empiric antibiotic therapy and monitoring resistance trends.
• Traditional methods use the first isolate per patient and species for annual compilation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the adequacy of traditional hospital antibiograms in meeting modern clinical needs.
• To contrast the limitations of traditional antibiograms with their continued essential role.
• To explore how antibiograms can evolve to remain relevant with new diagnostic technologies.

Main Methods:

• Point-counterpoint review of traditional antibiogram utility.
• Analysis of limitations in the context of personalized medicine.
• Discussion of emerging diagnostic technologies and their impact.

Main Results:

• Traditional antibiograms face questions regarding their sufficiency for personalized decision-making.
• Emerging diagnostics offer faster, actionable results, challenging traditional surveillance.
• Antibiograms possess enduring value and potential for adaptation.

Conclusions:

• The relevance of traditional antibiograms is debated due to evolving healthcare needs and technology.
• Antibiograms remain essential tools but require adaptation to stay current.
• Future antibiograms may integrate new data and technologies for enhanced clinical utility.