A Clinical-Based Study to Evaluate the Extent of Microbial Sensitivity Tests Performed Among ICU Patients Prescribed with Antibiotics in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is recognized as a global threat to human health. ICUs are generally considered as the main source of outbreaks of multi-drug resistant bacteria. Infectious complications are one of the dominant causes of morbidity and mortality among elderly and geriatric patients, especially in the ICU. The impact of microbial resistance on them is more due to immune senescence. This can be overcome by strengthening antibiotic resistance monitoring and surveillance systems. Antibacterial sensitivity analysis prior to antibiotic therapy is one of the tools in practicing rationality of antibiotic use as it helps to choose the most effective antibiotic. This study evaluates the extent of microbial sensitivity tests performed among ICU patients prescribed with antibiotics. A prospective observational study was conducted on a total of 60 ICU patients at Srinivas Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre, Mangalore, for a period of six months. ICU patients diagnosed with infectious diseases and prescribed with antibiotics are included in the study. Data were collected using an antimicrobial stewardship form and were analyzed using MS Excel 2016. Majority of the 60 people involved in the study were adults (36-65 yrs old) and geriatrics (65 yrs and older). Sensitivity test of pathogen toward various antibiotics were performed among 68.33% (N=41) of the patients, where most of the patients were Geriatrics(25%) and Adults(38.3%). Although the sensitivity test was performed on the majority of the patients in the study, it is critical to follow this test with antimicrobial therapy in each patient. It is important to evaluate the sensitivity of pathogen before therapy and at ongoing times of therapy which avoids complications due to resistance issues by enabling the selection of appropriate antimicrobial treatment and helps in overall clinical management. Keywords: Resistance, Sensitivity, Antibiotic, Geriatrics, ICU.