A carbapenem-focused antimicrobial stewardship programme implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in a setting of high endemicity for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. (15th February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spernovasilis, Nikolaos; Kritsotakis, Evangelos I; Mathioudaki, Anna; Vouidaski, Alexandra; Spanias, Christos; Petrodaskalaki, Maria; Ioannou, Petros; Chamilos, Georgios; Kofteridis, Diamantis P
• Is Part Of: Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy. Volume 78:Number 4(2023)
• Page Start: 1000
• Page End: 1008
• Publication Date: 2023-02-15
• Subjects: Anti-infective agents -- Periodicals; Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; 615.58
• DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkad035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-7453

Abstract

Background: Background: Greece is among the countries characterized by high rates of antimicrobial resistance and high consumption of antibiotics, including carbapenems. Objectives: To measure the impact of a carbapenem-focused antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP) on the antibiotic consumption and patient outcomes in a Greek tertiary hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A quasi-experimental, before–after study, comparing a 12 month pre-intervention period with a 12 month intervention period in which a carbapenem-focused ASP was implemented. Results: A total of 1268 patients were enrolled. The proportion of admitted patients who received carbapenems decreased from 4.1% (842 of 20 629) to 2.3% (426 of 18 245) (−1.8%; P < 0.001). A decrease of −4.9 DDD/100 patient-days (PD) (95% CI −7.3 to −2.6; P = 0.007) in carbapenem use and an increase in the use of piperacillin/tazobactam [+2.1 DDD/100 PD (95% CI 1.0–3.3; P = 0.010)] were observed. Thirty-day mortality following initiation of carbapenem treatment and all-cause in-hospital mortality remained unaltered after ASP implementation. In contrast, length of hospital stay increased (median 17.0 versus 19.0 days; P < 0.001), while the risk of infection-related readmission within 30 days of hospital discharge decreased (24.6% versus 16.8%; P = 0.007). In the post-implementation period, acceptance of the ASP intervention was associated with lower daily hazard of in-hospital death [cause-specific HR (csHR) 0.49; 95% CI 0.30–0.80], lower odds of 30 day mortality (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.18–0.70) and higher rate of treatment success (csHR 2.45; 95% CI 1.59–3.77). Conclusions: Implementing and maintaining a carbapenem-focused ASP is feasible, effective and safe in settings with high rates of antimicrobial resistance, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.