Leads for Antimicrobial Stewardship from Point Prevalence Surveillance
in a Tertiary-level Care Hospital in the United Arab Emirates
Abstract
Objective: To explore the scope of antimicrobial stewardship activities
based on the point prevalence study of antimicrobials among hospitalized
patients in a tertiary-level care hospital in the UAE. Methods: A
single-center cross-sectional prevalence study was conducted among
inpatients admitted to a tertiary care hospital using the European
Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption tool in February 2023.
Antimicrobials used against bacteria only were surveyed. All patients
admitted to the selected departments at 8 AM on the day of the survey
were included. Data were described in numbers and percentages. Results:
Among 136 patients admitted at the time of the study, 87 received
antimicrobials, representing a prevalence of 64%. A total of 144
antimicrobial prescriptions were prescribed in 87 patients. The majority
of the antimicrobials were administered parenterally (n=122, 84.7%),
and over 60% (n=53) of the patients on antimicrobials received two
antimicrobials. The majority of antimicrobials used for therapy were
empiric in nature (n=68, 89.5%). Over half of the patients receiving
antimicrobials for surgical prophylaxis were prescribed antimicrobials
for two or more days. More than 60% of the antimicrobial orders were
adherent to the hospital guidelines. Conclusion: The point prevalence of
the use of antimicrobials is high, which highlights the need for more
efficient and targeted stewardship efforts in improving adherence with
the hospital guidelines. Wide usage of broadspectrum antimicrobials is
observed.