Indian Journal of Pharmacology Medknow Publications on behalf of Indian Pharmacological Society ISSN: 0253-7613 EISSN: 1998-3751 Vol. 42, Num. 5, 2010, pp. 297-300

Indian Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 42, No. 5, September-October, 2010, pp. 297-300

Research Article

Antimicrobial consumption and impact of "Reserve antibiotic indent form" in an intensive care unit

Purabi Reang Sharma¹, Purabi Barman²

¹ Deparment of Clinical Pharmacology, Super Religare Laboratories, Fortis FLT LT Rajan Dhall Hospital, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, India
² Department of Microbiology, Super Religare Laboratories, Fortis FLT LT Rajan Dhall Hospital, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, India

Correspondence Address:Purabi Reang Sharma, Deparment of Clinical Pharmacology, Super Religare Laboratories, Fortis FLT LT Rajan Dhall Hospital, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi India, drpurabireang@gmail.com

Date of Submission: 04-Nov-2009
Date of Decision: 07-Mar-2010
Date of Acceptance: 13-Jul-2010

Code Number: ph10087

DOI: 10.4103/0253-7613.70216

Abstract

Keywords: Antimicrobial consumption, defined daily dose, reserve antimicrobial indent form

Introduction

Antimicrobial (AM) resistance is an increasing problem in intensive care units (ICU). Infection with AM-resistant organisms can cause increased length of hospital stay, mortality, and costs to the patient. ^[1] Available data suggest that pattern of AM use influences the development of resistant organisms. ^[2] Widespread and excessive use of broad-spectrum AM, invasive medical devices, critically ill and immunosuppressed patients in ICU favour the spread of resistant organisms. ^[3],[4] Hence, evaluation of drug utilization pattern in ICU along with information on the sensitivity pattern of microorganisms from time-to-time is very crucial. Studies on drug utilization contributes to rational drug use by describing drug use patterns, detecting early signals of irrational drug use and identifying interventions to improve drug use and follow-up. These studies also reveal quality of drug prescribing by important predetermined criteria including defined daily dose (DDD). ^[5] DDD is defined as the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used for its main indication in adults. It provides a fixed unit of measurement, which is independent of price and formulation. ^[6] It is presented as numbers of DDDs/1000 inhabitants/day or, DDDs per 100 bed days for in-hospital drug use. This study was carried out with following objectives:

1. To evaluate the AM consumption pattern in the ICU.
2. To study the bacteriological profile and sensitivity pattern.
3. To evaluate the impact of "Reserve AM indent form" on AM consumption in the ICU.

Materials and Methods

This study was carried out in ICU of a tertiary care hospital over a period of 4 months in 2008. A prospective analysis of all patients admitted in the ICU during study period was carried out. The AM prescribed and their dosages were noted on daily basis. Carbapenems, aztreonam, tigecycline, vancomycin, linezolid, teicoplanin, fluconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin B were placed on restricted use, and a "Reserve AM indent form" [Figure - 1] was introduced at the beginning of the study to observe its effect on the AM consumption. Prescribers were asked to fill the form before indenting any of the restricted AM with justification. DDD/ 100 bed days was calculated for different class of AM on monthly basis. The total AM consumption per month was calculated by adding all individual classes of AM. The consumption of reserve AM was calculated on monthly basis and compared at the end of 4 months.

As per the ATC/DDD classification, the DDD/100 bed days was calculated as follows:

The occupancy index (OI) was calculated every month and was derived by dividing the number of occupied beds by the total number of beds in the ICU.

The microorganisms in the specimens were identified by standard biochemicals. ^[7] Sensitivity of the isolated organisms was carried out by Kirby Bauer method using CLSI guidelines. ^[8]

Results

A total of 177 patients were admitted during the study period. Out of these, 128 patients were men and 49 women.

Morbidity pattern

The common morbidity was pneumonia (47) followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (45), sepsis with multiorgan dysfunction (25), and central nervous system disease (9). Out of the total pneumoniae cases, 22 were community acquired pneumoniae, 9 sepsis, 8 Type II respiratory failure, 5 interstitial lung disease, and 3 aspiration pneumoniae.

There were also 14 postsurgical and 4 trauma, 6 renal failure and enteric fever cases, whereas 7 patients with hepatitis. The remaining 14 patients had gastrointestinal tract infection, diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoglycemia, malignancy, etc.

AM consumption

The OI was 0.53, and average duration of hospital stay was 6 days. The monthly consumption of different class of AMs is shown in [Table - 1]. The total AM consumption was 232/100 bed days. Penicillin+β-lactamase inhibitor was the most frequently used AM (21%), followed by antifungals (13.4%), cephalosporins and macrolides (11.7% each), and fluoroquinolone (10.4%). Multiple AM were prescribed in 152 (85.87%) patients. The frequency of use of newer AM was carbapenems (6.9%), linezolid (5.6%), and glycopeptides (4%). However, their consumption showed a reducing trend over the study period [Figure - 2]. All patients were empirically started on broad-spectrum AM as per clinical symptoms. Positive bacteriological culture was observed in 24 patients, and AM were changed or continued as per the sensitivity report [Figure - 3].

Bacteriological profile and susceptibility pattern

The total numbers of samples received from 177 patients were 420, of which 227 was blood, 102 urine, 68 sputum, 13 pus/wound, and 10 body fluids. Bacterial growth was observed in 42 (10%) specimens with 42.8% sputum followed by blood (28.5%) and urine (19%). Acinetobacter was commonly isolated 11 (26.1%) followed by Pseudomonas 9 (21.4%) and yeast cells 10 (23.8%). Other organisms isolated were Escherichia coli 5 (11.9%), Enterobacter 2 (4.7%), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 1 (2.3%), and Coagulase negative Staphylococcus species (CoNS) 4 (9.5%). Acinetobacter was found to be multidrug-resistant and sensitive only to netilmicin in 45.5% isolates, whereas Pseudomonas was found to be sensitive to imipenem in 55.5% cases and meropenem in 44.44% isolates. E. coli was 100% sensitive to imepenem, meropenem, and netilmicin [Table - 2].

Discussion

AM are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in hospitalized patients. ^[9] The emergence of AM resistance in ICU is of great concern as it attributes to poor prognosis, increases chances of drug interactions/side effects, prolongs the hospital stay, and increases cost of therapy. Monitoring the use of AM and review of sensitivity pattern are important. Development of AM resistance pattern is directly proportional to the volume of AM consumed. Therefore, to reduce the development of AM resistance regulation is essential. ^[10]

In this study, the AM consumption observed over 4 months period showed reducing trend, which may be due to the awareness created by the "Reserve AM indent form" or due to the seasonal variation in the disease profile and criticality of the patients. The AM consumption was 232/100 bed days which is comparable to the existing literature. ^[11],[12]

Culture positivity was highest in respiratory samples; this can be due to the fact that the ICU was primarily a pulmonary unit. The commonest organism isolated was Acinetobacter suggest that most of the patients were critically ill, and many were transferred from other hospitals with multiple devices and prior broad-spectrum AM therapy. ^[13] This was followed by Pseudomonas and Candida responsible for nosocomial infections in ICUs. ^[14] The introduction of the reserve AM indent form reduced the consumption of newer AM as observed earlier. ^[15]

However, this study was of short duration with small sample size that may affect the validity of the conclusions drawn about AM resistance. Moreover, the seasonal variation also could not be taken into account, which has been shown to have a great impact on the disease profile and type of infections. ^[16],[17] Although, this data gave a general overview of AM use in the ICU and also helped to find out the utilization pattern that would create awareness among the prescribers. This in turn would reduce inappropriate use of AM and bacterial resistance. Similar study of longer duration and with larger sample size would validate our observations and have an important bearing on AM stewardship programmes.

References

Copyright 2010 - Indian Journal of Pharmacology

Indian Journal of Pharmacology, Vol. 42, No. 5, September-October, 2010, pp. 297-300

Research Article

Antimicrobial consumption and impact of "Reserve antibiotic indent form" in an intensive care unit

Purabi Reang Sharma¹, Purabi Barman²

¹ Deparment of Clinical Pharmacology, Super Religare Laboratories, Fortis FLT LT Rajan Dhall Hospital, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, India
² Department of Microbiology, Super Religare Laboratories, Fortis FLT LT Rajan Dhall Hospital, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, India

Correspondence Address:Purabi Reang Sharma, Deparment of Clinical Pharmacology, Super Religare Laboratories, Fortis FLT LT Rajan Dhall Hospital, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi India, drpurabireang@gmail.com

Date of Submission: 04-Nov-2009
Date of Decision: 07-Mar-2010
Date of Acceptance: 13-Jul-2010

Code Number: ph10087

DOI: 10.4103/0253-7613.70216

Abstract

Keywords: Antimicrobial consumption, defined daily dose, reserve antimicrobial indent form

Introduction

Antimicrobial (AM) resistance is an increasing problem in intensive care units (ICU). Infection with AM-resistant organisms can cause increased length of hospital stay, mortality, and costs to the patient. ^[1] Available data suggest that pattern of AM use influences the development of resistant organisms. ^[2] Widespread and excessive use of broad-spectrum AM, invasive medical devices, critically ill and immunosuppressed patients in ICU favour the spread of resistant organisms. ^[3],[4] Hence, evaluation of drug utilization pattern in ICU along with information on the sensitivity pattern of microorganisms from time-to-time is very crucial. Studies on drug utilization contributes to rational drug use by describing drug use patterns, detecting early signals of irrational drug use and identifying interventions to improve drug use and follow-up. These studies also reveal quality of drug prescribing by important predetermined criteria including defined daily dose (DDD). ^[5] DDD is defined as the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used for its main indication in adults. It provides a fixed unit of measurement, which is independent of price and formulation. ^[6] It is presented as numbers of DDDs/1000 inhabitants/day or, DDDs per 100 bed days for in-hospital drug use. This study was carried out with following objectives:

1. To evaluate the AM consumption pattern in the ICU.
2. To study the bacteriological profile and sensitivity pattern.
3. To evaluate the impact of "Reserve AM indent form" on AM consumption in the ICU.

Materials and Methods

This study was carried out in ICU of a tertiary care hospital over a period of 4 months in 2008. A prospective analysis of all patients admitted in the ICU during study period was carried out. The AM prescribed and their dosages were noted on daily basis. Carbapenems, aztreonam, tigecycline, vancomycin, linezolid, teicoplanin, fluconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin B were placed on restricted use, and a "Reserve AM indent form" [Figure - 1] was introduced at the beginning of the study to observe its effect on the AM consumption. Prescribers were asked to fill the form before indenting any of the restricted AM with justification. DDD/ 100 bed days was calculated for different class of AM on monthly basis. The total AM consumption per month was calculated by adding all individual classes of AM. The consumption of reserve AM was calculated on monthly basis and compared at the end of 4 months.

As per the ATC/DDD classification, the DDD/100 bed days was calculated as follows:

The occupancy index (OI) was calculated every month and was derived by dividing the number of occupied beds by the total number of beds in the ICU.

The microorganisms in the specimens were identified by standard biochemicals. ^[7] Sensitivity of the isolated organisms was carried out by Kirby Bauer method using CLSI guidelines. ^[8]

Results

A total of 177 patients were admitted during the study period. Out of these, 128 patients were men and 49 women.

Morbidity pattern

The common morbidity was pneumonia (47) followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (45), sepsis with multiorgan dysfunction (25), and central nervous system disease (9). Out of the total pneumoniae cases, 22 were community acquired pneumoniae, 9 sepsis, 8 Type II respiratory failure, 5 interstitial lung disease, and 3 aspiration pneumoniae.

There were also 14 postsurgical and 4 trauma, 6 renal failure and enteric fever cases, whereas 7 patients with hepatitis. The remaining 14 patients had gastrointestinal tract infection, diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoglycemia, malignancy, etc.

AM consumption

The OI was 0.53, and average duration of hospital stay was 6 days. The monthly consumption of different class of AMs is shown in [Table - 1]. The total AM consumption was 232/100 bed days. Penicillin+β-lactamase inhibitor was the most frequently used AM (21%), followed by antifungals (13.4%), cephalosporins and macrolides (11.7% each), and fluoroquinolone (10.4%). Multiple AM were prescribed in 152 (85.87%) patients. The frequency of use of newer AM was carbapenems (6.9%), linezolid (5.6%), and glycopeptides (4%). However, their consumption showed a reducing trend over the study period [Figure - 2]. All patients were empirically started on broad-spectrum AM as per clinical symptoms. Positive bacteriological culture was observed in 24 patients, and AM were changed or continued as per the sensitivity report [Figure - 3].

Bacteriological profile and susceptibility pattern

The total numbers of samples received from 177 patients were 420, of which 227 was blood, 102 urine, 68 sputum, 13 pus/wound, and 10 body fluids. Bacterial growth was observed in 42 (10%) specimens with 42.8% sputum followed by blood (28.5%) and urine (19%). Acinetobacter was commonly isolated 11 (26.1%) followed by Pseudomonas 9 (21.4%) and yeast cells 10 (23.8%). Other organisms isolated were Escherichia coli 5 (11.9%), Enterobacter 2 (4.7%), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 1 (2.3%), and Coagulase negative Staphylococcus species (CoNS) 4 (9.5%). Acinetobacter was found to be multidrug-resistant and sensitive only to netilmicin in 45.5% isolates, whereas Pseudomonas was found to be sensitive to imipenem in 55.5% cases and meropenem in 44.44% isolates. E. coli was 100% sensitive to imepenem, meropenem, and netilmicin [Table - 2].

Discussion

AM are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in hospitalized patients. ^[9] The emergence of AM resistance in ICU is of great concern as it attributes to poor prognosis, increases chances of drug interactions/side effects, prolongs the hospital stay, and increases cost of therapy. Monitoring the use of AM and review of sensitivity pattern are important. Development of AM resistance pattern is directly proportional to the volume of AM consumed. Therefore, to reduce the development of AM resistance regulation is essential. ^[10]

In this study, the AM consumption observed over 4 months period showed reducing trend, which may be due to the awareness created by the "Reserve AM indent form" or due to the seasonal variation in the disease profile and criticality of the patients. The AM consumption was 232/100 bed days which is comparable to the existing literature. ^[11],[12]

Culture positivity was highest in respiratory samples; this can be due to the fact that the ICU was primarily a pulmonary unit. The commonest organism isolated was Acinetobacter suggest that most of the patients were critically ill, and many were transferred from other hospitals with multiple devices and prior broad-spectrum AM therapy. ^[13] This was followed by Pseudomonas and Candida responsible for nosocomial infections in ICUs. ^[14] The introduction of the reserve AM indent form reduced the consumption of newer AM as observed earlier. ^[15]

However, this study was of short duration with small sample size that may affect the validity of the conclusions drawn about AM resistance. Moreover, the seasonal variation also could not be taken into account, which has been shown to have a great impact on the disease profile and type of infections. ^[16],[17] Although, this data gave a general overview of AM use in the ICU and also helped to find out the utilization pattern that would create awareness among the prescribers. This in turn would reduce inappropriate use of AM and bacterial resistance. Similar study of longer duration and with larger sample size would validate our observations and have an important bearing on AM stewardship programmes.

References

Copyright 2010 - Indian Journal of Pharmacology

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