Carbapenem de-escalation as an antimicrobial stewardship strategy: a narrative review.

ABSTRACT: Increased carbapenem prescribing has contributed to rising rates of carbapenem-resistant bacterial pathogens. Although antimicrobial stewardship efforts that facilitate de-escalation of carbapenems to alternative agents can minimize unnecessary exposure, clinicians may be hesitant to de-escalate therapy due to concerns for potentially compromising patient outcomes. A literature search was performed to characterize carbapenem de-escalation strategies and assess associated patient outcomes. A total of 228 articles were screened on PubMed, and 15 studies that examine the de-escalation of carbapenems to non-carbapenem alternatives were identified for inclusion. The studies primarily included non-critically ill and immunocompetent adults involving over 5000 patients receiving carbapenem therapy

SUBMITTER: Gardner A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11890093 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature