Antibiotic usage and stewardship in patients with COVID-19: too much antibiotic in uncharted waters?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Antimicrobial usage and stewardship programmes during COVID-19 have been poorly studied. Prescribing practice varies despite national guidelines, and there is concern that stewardship principles have suffered.

Aim

To analyse antibiotic prescriptions during the COVID-19 pandemic at a teaching hospital and to propose improved approaches to stewardship.

Methods

We reviewed COVID-19 admissions to medical wards and intensive care units (ICUs) in a London teaching hospital to assess initial antibiotic usage and evidence of bacterial co-infection, and to determine if our current antibiotic guidelines were adhered to.

Findings

Data from 130 inpatients (76% medical and 24% ICU) were obtained. On admission, 90% were treated with antibiotics. No microbiological

SUBMITTER: Evans TJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8113669 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature