Abstract
Background: Antimicrobials have been widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the antimicrobial consumption of 66 hospitals in Catalonia. Methods: Adult antibacterial and antimycotic consumption was calculated as defined daily doses (DDD)/100 bed-days and DDD/100 discharges. Firstly, overall and ICU consumption in 2019 and 2020 were compared. Secondly, observed ICU 2020 consumptions were compared with non-COVID-19 2020 estimated consumptions (based on the trend from 2008–2019). Results: Overall, antibacterial consumption increased by 2.31% and 4.15% DDD/100 bed-days and DDD/100 discharges, respectively. Azithromycin (105.4% and 109.08% DDD/100 bed-days and DDD/100 discharges, respectively) and ceftriaxone (25.72% and 27.97% DDD/100 bed-days and DDD/100 discharges, respectively) mainly accounted for this finding. Likewise, antifungal consumption increased by 10.25% DDD/100 bed-days and 12.22% DDD/100 discharges, mainly due to echinocandins or amphotericin B. ICU antibacterial and antimycotic consumption decreased by 1.28% and 4.35% DDD/100 bed-days, respectively. On the contrary, antibacterial and antifungal use, expressed in DDD/100 discharges, increased by 23.42% and 19.58%. Azithromycin (275.09%), ceftriaxone (55.11%), cefepime (106.35%), vancomycin (29.81%), linezolid (31.28%), amphotericin B (87.98%), and voriconazole (96.17%) use changed the most. Observed consumption of amphotericin B, azithromycin, caspofungin, ceftriaxone, vancomycin, and voriconazole were higher than estimated values. Conclusions: The consumption indicators for most antimicrobials deviated from the expected trend pattern. A worrisome increase in antibacterial and antifungal consumption was observed in ICUs in Catalonia.
Highlights
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes the coronavirusdisease 19 (COVID-19) [1]
The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the antimicrobial consumption of hospitals included in the VINCat-PROA program, with emphasis on the intensive care units (ICUs)
The first COVID-19 case in Catalonia was diagnosed on 25 February 2020
Summary
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes the coronavirusdisease 19 (COVID-19) [1] This virus has caused the worst pandemic in the last century, posing a global threat [1]. This study aimed to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the antimicrobial consumption of 66 hospitals in Catalonia. Results: Overall, antibacterial consumption increased by 2.31% and 4.15% DDD/100 bed-days and DDD/100 discharges, respectively. Antifungal consumption increased by 10.25% DDD/100 bed-days and 12.22% DDD/100 discharges, mainly due to echinocandins or amphotericin B. ICU antibacterial and antimycotic consumption decreased by 1.28% and 4.35% DDD/100 bed-days, respectively. Observed consumption of amphotericin B, azithromycin, caspofungin, ceftriaxone, vancomycin, and voriconazole were higher than estimated values. A worrisome increase in antibacterial and antifungal consumption was observed in ICUs in Catalonia
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