Point prevalence survey of antibiotic use in hospitals in Latin American countries. (27th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Levy Hara, Gabriel; Rojas-Cortés, Robin; Molina León, Helvert Felipe; Dreser Mansilla, Anahí; Alfonso Orta, Ismary; Rizo-Amezquita, José Noe; Santos Herrera, René Guillermo; Mendoza de Ayala, Silvia; Arce Villalobos, Marlen; Mantilla Ponte, Hilda; Davila, Ever; Aguilar, Gloria; Porrás, Analía; Ramón-Pardo, Pilar; Castro, José Luis
• Is Part Of: Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy. Volume 77:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 807
• Page End: 815
• Publication Date: 2021-12-27
• Subjects: Anti-infective agents -- Periodicals; Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; 615.58
• DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkab459
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-7453

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Point prevalence surveys (PPSs) on antibiotic use are useful for understanding different aspects related to prescription patterns in hospitals. Methods: An adaptation of the WHO methodology for a PPS on antibiotic use was applied. Hospital wards were divided into medical (MED), surgical (SUR), ICUs, gynaecology and obstetrics (GO), high-risk (HR) and mixed wards (MIX). A web application (RedCap © ) through a mobile device was used for data collection. Results: Between December 2018 and August 2019, 5444 patients in 33 hospitals in five countries were included (10 hospitals in Cuba, 7 in Paraguay, 6 in El Salvador, 5 in Mexico and 5 in Peru). Of these patients, 54.6% received at least one antibiotic, with variations between and within hospitals and countries. Antibiotics were more frequently used in ICUs (67.2%), SUR (64.5%) and MED wards (54.2%), with 51.2% of antibiotics prescribed for community-acquired infections (CAIs), 22.9% for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), 11.1% for surgical prophylaxis and 6.1% for unknown reasons. Adherence to guidelines was observed in 68.6% of cases (72.8% for CAIs, 72.4% for HAIs and 44.3% for prophylaxis). Third-generation cephalosporins were the class of antibiotics most frequently used (26.8%), followed by carbapenems (10.3%) and fluoroquinolones (8%). Targeted treatments were achieved in 17.3% of cases. Conclusions: Antibiotic use was generally higher than that published in other studies. There is an urgent need to promote and strengthen the antimicrobial stewardship programmes in Latin America.