Predictors of inappropriate antimicrobial prescription: Eight-year point prevalence surveys experience in a third level hospital in Spain

Antibiotic stewardship programs (ASP) have already demonstrated clinical benefits. We aimed to describe the Point Prevalence Surveys (PPS) methodology implemented in our hospital as an efficient tool to guide ASP strategies. Annually repeated PPS were conducted from 2012 to 2019 at a 750- bed university hospital in South Spain. Key quality indicators and inappropriateness of antimicrobial treatment, defined strictly according to local guidelines, were described. Variables associated with inappropriate treatment were identified by bi/multivariable analysis. A total of 1,600 patients were included. We found that 49% of the prescriptions were inappropriate due to unnecessary treatment (14%), not first line drug recommended (14%), inadequate drug according to microbiological results (9%), unsuitable doses (8%), route (3%) or duration (7%). Samples collection presented a significant protective effect together with sepsis presentation at onset and intensive care unit admission. However, age, receiving an empirical treatment and an unknown or urinary source of the infections treated were independent risk factors for inappropriateness. Site and severity of infection were documented in medical charts by prescribers (75 and 61% respectively). PPS may allow identifying the main risk factors for inappropriateness. This simple methodology may be useful for ASP to select modifiable factors to be prioritized for targeted interventions

Epidemiology and prognosis of patients with a history of cancer admitted to intensive care. A multicenter observational study

Objetivo Conocer la epidemiología y evolución al alta de los pacientes oncológicos que precisan ingreso en UCI. Diseño Estudio descriptivo observacional de datos del registro ENVIN-HELICS combinado con variables registradas específicamente. Se comparan pacientes con y sin neoplasia. Se identifican grupos de pacientes neoplásicos con peor evolución. Ámbito UCI participantes en ENVIN-HELICS del año 2018 con participación voluntaria en el registro oncológico. Pacientes Ingresados más de 24 horas. Entre estos aquellos diagnosticados de neoplasia en los últimos 5 años. Variables principales Las generales epidemiológicas del registro ENVIN-HELICS y variables relacionadas con la neoplasia. Resultados En las 92 UCI con datos completos se seleccionaron 11.796 pacientes, de los que 1.786 (15,1%) son pacientes con neoplasia. La proporción de pacientes con cáncer por unidad fue muy variable (rango: 1-48%). La mortalidad en UCI de los pacientes oncológicos fue superior a los no oncológicos (12,3% versus 8,9%; p < 0,001). En pacientes oncológicos predominaron los ingresados en el postoperatorio programado (46,7%) o urgente (15,3%). Los pacientes con proceso patológico médico fueron más graves, con mayor estancia y mortalidad (27, 5%). Aquellos ingresados en UCI por enfermedad no quirúrgica relacionada con el cáncer tuvieron la mortalidad más alta (31,4%). Conclusión Existe una gran variabilidad en el porcentaje de pacientes oncológicos en las diferentes UCI. El 46,7% de los pacientes ingresa tras someterse a cirugía programada. La mayor mortalidad corresponde a pacientes con enfermedad médica (27,5%) y a los ingresados por complicaciones relacionadas con el cáncer (31,4%).Objective To assess the epidemiology and outcome at discharge of cancer patients requiring admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Design A descriptive observational study was made of data from the ENVIN-HELICS registry, combined with specifically compiled variables. Comparisons were made between patients with and without neoplastic disease, and groups of cancer patients with a poorer outcome were identified. Setting Intensive Care Units participating in ENVIN-HELICS 2018, with voluntary participation in the oncological registry. Patients Subjects admitted during over 24 hours and diagnosed with cancer in the last 5 years. Primary endpoints The general epidemiological endpoints of the ENVIN-HELICS registry and cancer-related variables. Results Of the 92 ICUs with full data, a total of 11,796 patients were selected, of which 1786 (15.1%) were cancer patients. The proportion of cancer patients per Unit proved highly variable (1-48%). In-ICU mortality was higher among the cancer patients than in the non-oncological subjects (12.3% versus 8.9%; P < .001). Elective postoperative (46.7%) or emergency admission (15.3%) predominated in the cancer patients. Patients with medical disease were in more serious condition, with longer stay and greater mortality (27.5%). The patients admitted in ICU due to nonsurgical disease related to cancer exhibited the highest mortality rate (31.4%). Conclusions Great variability was recorded in the percentage of cancer patients in the different ICUs. A total of 46.7% of the patients were admitted after undergoing scheduled surgery. The highest mortality rate corresponded to patients with medical disease (27.5%), and to those admitted due to cancer-related complications (31.4%)