Antibiotic Use in Medical–Surgical Intensive Care Units and General Wards in Latin American Hospitals
Authors: Fabre Valeria , Cosgrove Sara E , Lessa Fernanda C , Patel Twisha S , Aleman Washington R , Aquiles Bowen , Arauz Ana B , Barberis Maria F , Bangher Maria Del Carmen , Bernachea Maria P , Bernan Marisa L , Blanco Isabel , Cachafeiro Antonio , Castañeda Ximena , Castillo Sebastián , Colque Angel M , Contreras Rosa , Cornistein Wanda , Correa Silvia Mabel , Correal Tovar Paola Carolina , Costilla Campero Gustavo , Esquivel Clara , Ezcurra Cecilia , Falleroni Leandro A , Fernandez Johana , Ferrari Sandra , Frassone Natalia , Garcia Cruz Carlos , Garzón Maria Isabel , Gomez Quintero Carlos H , Gonzalez José A , Guaymas Lucrecia , Guerrero-Toapanta Fausto , Lambert Sandra , Laplume Diego , Lazarte Paola R , Lemir César G , Lopez Angelica , Lopez Itzel L , Martinez Guadalupe , Maurizi Diego M , Melgar Mario , Mesplet Florencia , Morales Pertuz Carlos , Moreno Cristina , Moya Luciana Gabriela , Nuccetelli Yanina , Núñez Glendys , Paez Hugo , Palacio Belén , Pellice Florencia , Pereyra Maria L , Pirra Luz S , Raffo Carla Lorena , Reino Choto Fanny , Vence Reyes Ligia , Ricoy Gerardo , Rodriguez Gonzalez Polo , Rodriguez Viviana , Romero Federico , Romero Juan J , Sadino Graciela , Sandoval Nancy , Silva Mirta G , Smud Astrid , Soria Virginia , Stanek Vanina , Torralvo Maria Jose , Urueña Alejandra M , Videla Hugo , Valle Marisol , Vera Amate Perez Silvia , Vergara-Samur Hernan , Villamandos Silvina , Villarreal Olmedo , Viteri Alejandra , Warley Eduardo , Quiros Rodolfo E 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The objective of this study was to identify antibiotic stewardship (AS) opportunities in Latin American medical–surgical intensive care units (MS-ICUs) and general wards (Gral-wards).

Methods
We conducted serial cross-sectional point prevalence surveys in MS-ICUs and Gral-wards in 41 Latin American hospitals between March 2022 and February 2023. Patients &gt;18 years of age in the units of interest were evaluated for antimicrobial use (AU) monthly (MS-ICUs) or quarterly (Gral-wards). Antimicrobial data were collected using a standardized form by the local AS teams and submitted to the coordinating team for analysis.

Results
We evaluated AU in 5780 MS-ICU and 7726 Gral-ward patients. The hospitals’ median bed size (interquartile range) was 179 (125–330), and 52% were nonprofit. The aggregate AU prevalence was 53.5% in MS-ICUs and 25.5% in Gral-wards. Most (88%) antimicrobials were prescribed to treat infections, 7% for surgical prophylaxis and 5% for medical prophylaxis. Health care–associated infections led to 63% of MS-ICU and 38% of Gral-ward AU. Carbapenems, piperacillin-tazobactam, intravenous (IV) vancomycin, and ampicillin-sulbactam represented 50% of all AU to treat infections. A minority of IV vancomycin targeted therapy was associated with documented methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection or therapeutic drug monitoring. In both units, 17% of antibiotics prescribed as targeted therapy represented de-escalation, while 24% and 15% in MS-ICUs and Gral-wards, respectively, represented an escalation of therapy. In Gral-wards, 32% of antibiotics were used without a microbiologic culture ordered. Half of surgical prophylaxis antibiotics were prescribed after the first 24 hours.

Conclusions
Based on this cohort, areas to improve AU in Latin American hospitals include antibiotic selection, de-escalation, duration of therapy, and dosing strategies.