Patients with bacteraemia constitute an useful population for an audit of antibiotic treatments. Empirical antibiotic therapy EAT and its reassessment must take into account clinical data and microbiological results. Our aim was to determine the impact of these sequential steps of the therapy on survival.
This was a retrospective multicentre study which included patients admitted to emergency departments ED for whom blood cultures were positive over a 4-month period. Microbial results were compiled from the database of the laboratories. The relevant information was extracted from the computerized patient's chart. An efficient EAT was based on antibiotic susceptibility of the bacteria. Unfavorable outcome was defined as death of the patient during in-hospital care.
Three hospitals and two clinics took part in this study, patients with bacteraemia being included. In multivariate analysis, risks factors for death were: ongoing cancer AOR adjusted odds ratio 3. One third of bacteraemic patients in ED did not benefit from AR. Improvement of antimicrobial stewardship should be associated with a higher rate of survival. Keywords: Antibiotic reassessment; Bacteraemia; Emergency department; Empirical antibiotic therapy; Healthcare-associated infections.
Abstract Patients with bacteraemia constitute an useful population for an audit of antibiotic treatments. Publication types Multicenter Study. Substances Anti-Bacterial Agents.
