Evaluation of Antibiotic Usage Patterns, Patient Factors, and Economic Implications in ICU

Abstract

Background: One of today's most significant public health issues is antibiotic resistance, which is caused by the overuse or abuse of antibiotics. Effective antimicrobial therapy is essential for treating patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), including those with severe sepsis, septic shock, and infections linked to healthcare. This study assesses the economic burden of broad-spectrum antibiotic usage on the overall cost of ICU care. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in the ICUs in a tertiary care center, over 1 month. Results: The gender distribution in the study shows a higher prevalence of male patients (60%) compared to female patients (40%), with a total sample size of 40 patients. Most of the patients were in the age group of 58–68 years (32.5%). The comorbidity scores indicate that a significant proportion of patients had a score of 4 (37.5%), which was also the most frequent score (mode). The most common length of stay was 2 days (mode), and the range extended from 1 to 9 days. Most patients had shorter stays, with 27.5% staying for 2 days and only a small fraction (2.5%) requiring a 9-day stay. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need for a careful balance between cost-effective antibiotic treatment and optimal patient care to improve health outcomes and reduce financial strain. It highlights the crucial role of antimicrobial stewardship programs in promoting responsible antibiotic use, curbing resistance, and elevating patient care standards. Investing in diagnostics and educating healthcare providers about their advantages can further refine treatment approaches and long-term patient outcomes, particularly in resource-constrained environments.