Microbiological profile and antibiotic utilization patterns in nosocomial pneumonia: a cross-sectional study in the intensive care unit of Thong Nhat Hospital

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this survey was to investigate the microbiological characteristics and antibiotic usage patterns in the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study analyzed 83 medical records of patients diagnosed with hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associasted pneumoniae. The study took place from January to December 2022 in the Intensive Care Unit of Thong Nhat Hospital. Data included epidemiological characteristics, causative pathogens, prescribed antibiotics.

Results: Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Acinetobacter baumannii (26.1%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (21.8%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.3%), were the predominant isolates. The susceptibility of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to all antibiotic groups was significantly low, below 50%. The susceptibility of Klebsiella pneumoniae was also low for all antibiotic groups, with rates below 30%, except for colistin (87.5%) and gentamicin (66.7%). The majority of patients received combination therapy with three or more antibiotics, accounting for 72.1%. Colistin was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic at a rate of 63.3%, followed by carbapenems including meropenem and imipenem, with rates of 30.1% and 20.4% respectively. The rate of antibiotic resistance in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was also relatively high, with linezolid at 51%, teicoplanin at 11.7%, and vancomycin at 6.1%.

Conclusions: To prevent the emergence of antibiotic resistance in hospital-acquired pneumonia, it is essential to prioritize the implementation of infection control measures and ensure the responsible use of antibiotics in treatment.