Infection and Drug Resistance (Nov 2023)

Impact of Irrational Use of Antibiotics Among Patients in the Intensive Care Unit on Clinical Outcomes in Sudan

  • Abdelkarim OA,
  • Abubakar U,
  • Taha LO,
  • Ashour SA,
  • Abass WY,
  • Osman EM,
  • Muslih MS

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 16
pp. 7209 – 7217

Abstract

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Omalhassan Amir Abdelkarim,1 Usman Abubakar,2 Lubna Osman Taha,1 Sondos Ahmed Ashour,1 Wiaam Yousif Abass,1 Eslam Mohamed Osman,1 Mustafa Shith Muslih1 1Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, International University of Africa, Khartoum, Sudan; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, QatarCorrespondence: Omalhassan Amir Abdelkarim, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, International University of Africa, Madani St, P.O Box 2469, Al Khartoum, Khartoum, 12223, Sudan, Tel +249912325691, Email [email protected]: Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a specialized ward where critically ill patients are admitted to provide intensive health care Inappropriate antimicrobial therapy (AMT) and high mortality rates were documented in the ICU. The influence of irrational use of empiric antibiotics on clinical outcomes in ICU patients is not well studied in Sudan.Aim: This study aims to determine the rational use of antibiotics and its impact on clinical outcomes among ICU patients.Methods: Using data collection form, a retrospective longitudinal study was conducted among ICU patients at Omdurman Military Hospital, Khartoum State. Patients admitted from January 2019 to December 2019 were included in the study. Patients who stayed in ICU < 48 hr were excluded. Appropriateness of AMT is assessed using culture sensitivity test (CST) and the American Society of Infectious Diseases (IDSA) guideline.Results: Among 102 patients, 54.9% male, one-third of patients developed nosocomial infections, 80.4% received empiric therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics. The CST is done in 19%, and 43% patients are prescribed inappropriate AMT. Inappropriate AMT is associated with recurrent infections 38.4% (p=0.028) and high mortality 33.8% (p=0.014). Overall mortality rate 63.7% ICU patients. Elevated mortality in nosocomial 57.8%, decreased with inappropriate AMT in 21.6% patients. Significantly higher mortality rates 90.7% among uncontrolled infections (p< 0.001), 80.6% nosocomial infections (p=0.001), and 76.7% renal compromised (p=0.002).Conclusion: Empirical AMT reduces the frequency of nosocomial infections, which has an impact on mortality. Inappropriate AMT is significantly associated with uncontrolled infections and lower mortality. Implementing a restrictive infectious control system and effective stewardship programs in hospital ICU wards is recommended.Keywords: rational use of antibiotics, mortality rate, intensive care unit, clinical outcomes, appropriate antibiotic therapy

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