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Antibiotic use for empirical therapy in the critical care units in primary and secondary hospitals in Vietnam: a multicenter cross-sectional study

D. Q. Vu, D. Tran, H. Q. Vu, K. B. Giang, S. Otsu

The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 2021

1,747 participants · 24 citations

Abstract

Summary Background The high rate of infections among patients admitted to critical care units (CCUs) is associated with high rate of antibiotic consumption, especially broad-spectrum antibiotics. This study is to describe the antibiotics use in CCUs in primary and secondary hospitals in Vietnam, a setting with high burden of antibiotic resistance. Methods This was a 7-day observational study in 51 CCUs in hospitals from 5 provinces in Vietnam from March to July 2019. Patients aged ≥ 18 years admitted to the participating CCUs was enrolled consecutively. We collected data on patient's demographics, initial diagnosis and antibiotic therapy within the first 24 hours. Antibiotic therapy was classified by the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Index and the 2019 WHO Access, Watch, Reserve (AWaRe) groups. Findings Out of 1747 enrolled patients, empirical antibiotic treatments were initiated in 1112 (63.6%) patients. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics were cefotaxime (22.3%), levofloxacin (19%) and ceftazidime (10.8%). Antibiotics were given in 31.5% of patients without diagnosis of infection. Watch and/or Reserve group antibiotic were given in 87.3% of patients and associated with patient's age (aOR 1.01 per 1-year increment, 95%CI 1.00-1.02) and the presence of SIRS on admission (aOR 2.1, 95%CI 1.38-3.2). Interpretation We observed a high frequency use and a substantial variation in patterns of empirical antibiotic use in the CCUs in Vietnam. It highlights the…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 1,747 participants or records.

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