Audit of antibiotics usage in an intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital in South India

Background: Antibiotics are one of the major medications used in the intensive care unit (ICU). It is a matter of concern as inappropriate usage of antibiotics in the ICU has led to the development of many infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms. The aim was to monitor and assess the empirical antibiotic treatment initiated and the changes made in antimicrobial therapy following the culture report. Methodology: The study was conducted from May 2018 to June 2018 after obtaining ethical clearance from the institute ethics committee which was a cross-sectional prospective type of study. One hundred patients who were on antibiotics were included in the study. A total of 249 culture samples were sent which included blood, urine, endotracheal aspirate, sputum, cerebrospinal fluid, wound swab, etc., The patients were started empirically with antibiotics ceftriaxone, imipenem, meropenem, amikacin, azithromycin, etc., The microorganisms grown in the culture were Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter species, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, etc. Results: It was observed that for 54 patients, the empirical antibiotic treatment was continued, for 39 patients, there was a change in antibiotics following the culture report, and for Seven patients, the antibiotics were stopped. Among 39 patients, for 23 patients, there was an escalation, and for 16 patients, there was a de-escalation in the usage of antibiotics from the initial empirical treatment given. Conclusion: A proper prescription pattern and a standard antibiotic policy for prescribing antibiotics are needed to prevent the future development of MDR strains.