Antibiotics
The Impact of an Intensive Care Unit Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on the Appropriateness of Meropenem Prescribing at a Tertiary Hospital: A Retrospective Quasi-Experimental Study
By Alnajjar LI, Alahmari TA, Almutairi SA and 12 others.
Abstract
Background
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) prevalence has been increasing in Saudi Arabia, posing a significant public health concern. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) play an important role in reducing resistance by ensuring appropriate antibiotic use. Our study aimed to assess the appropriateness of meropenem prescriptions pre-ASP and post-ASP implementation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward.
Method
This is a retrospective quasi-experimental pre-post study conducted over 3 years, from 2020 to 2023 at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAAUH). The study included adult ICU patients who received meropenem therapy. The primary objective was to evaluate the appropriateness of meropenem prescriptions in the ICU before and after ASP implementation. The secondary objectives were to identify reasons for inappropriate prescribing and evaluate the interventions implemented to address inappropriate meropenem use.