Critical Care Explorations (Nov 2021)

Impact of a Procalcitonin-Based Protocol on Antibiotic Exposure and Costs in Critically Ill Patients

  • Jarva Chow, MD, MS, MPH,
  • Talar W. Markossian, PhD, MPH,
  • Fritzie S. Albarillo, MD,
  • Elisabeth E. Donahey, PharmD,
  • Kathleen L. Bobay, PhD, RN, FAAN

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1097/CCE.0000000000000571
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 11
p. e0571

Abstract

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OBJECTIVES:. To examine the impact before and after adoption of a procalcitonin-based protocol to guide sepsis management has on antibiotic use, care costs, and outcomes of critically ill patients. DESIGN:. Before-after study. SETTING:. ICU of an academic tertiary care center. PATIENTS:. Adults over 18 years old admitted to the ICU from January 1, 2017, to January 31, 2020. INTERVENTIONS:. In this before-after study, we compared the use of medications, outcomes, and overall cost before and after the introduction of a procalcitonin-based protocol for evaluation and treatment of sepsis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:. The final study cohort consisted of 1,793 patients admitted to the ICU, 776 patients pre-procalcitonin and 1,017 patients in the post-procalcitonin period. Patients were not different in the pre-procalcitonin adoption period compared with post-procalcitonin adoption with regard to gender, age (62.0 vs 62.6), race, or comorbidities. Patients admitted during the post-procalcitonin adoption period were less likely to receive the examined broad-spectrum antibiotics (odds ratio, –0.58; CI, –0.99 to –0.17; p < 0.01) than patients during the pre-procalcitonin adoption period. The odds of inhospital death did not differ after procalcitonin adoption when compared with before (0.87; CI, 0.70–1.09; p = 0.234). Total charges for each admission were significantly less in the post-procalcitonin adoption period $3,834.99 compared with pre-procalcitonin adoption $4,429.47 (p < 0.05). Patients post-procalcitonin adoption incurred $1,127.18 per patient less in total charges (–1,127.18; CI, –2,014.74 to –239.62; p = 0.013) after controlling for relevant factors. CONCLUSIONS:. In critically ill patients in a large U.S. tertiary care hospital, the adoption of a procalcitonin-based protocol for evaluation and treatment of sepsis may be associated with decreased antibiotic use and significant cost savings, with no change in mortality.