Antibiotic Stewardship in Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

Abstract

Background Antimicrobial resistance and incorrect use of antibiotics may worsen hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), which is a serious illness associated with healthcare and is related to higher rates of morbidity and death. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) in optimizing the treatment of HAP, focusing on improving patient outcomes and reducing resistance. Methodology A prospective cohort study was conducted from August 2022 to July 2023. Data were gathered on the demographics, comorbidities, antibiotic treatment plans, and clinical outcomes of adult patients with HAP diagnoses. The efficacy of ASPs was evaluated by statistical studies, which included logistic regression. Results A total of 428 participants were assessed, with notable differences between the no stewardship group (n = 220, 51.40%) and the stewardship group (n = 208, 48.60%). The stewardship group demonstrated a higher treatment success rate (n = 182, 87.5%) compared to the no stewardship group (n = 126, 57.3%). The 30-day readmission rate was lower in the stewardship group (n = 32, 15.4%) versus the no stewardship group (n = 58, 26.4%), and adverse drug reactions were reduced in the stewardship group (n = 15, 7.2%) compared to the no stewardship group (n = 45, 20.5%). In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in the stewardship group (n = 16, 7.7%) than in the no stewardship group (n = 40, 18.2%). Conclusion The results show that ASP implementation greatly improves clinical outcomes for HAP patients, highlighting the need for ongoing funding in ASPs to address antibiotic resistance.

Keywords: antibiotic stewardship; antimicrobial resistance; clinical outcomes; hospital-acquired pneumonia; prospective cohort study.