Antimicrobial Resistance Trends During COVID-19 Pandemic in US Hospitals

Strategic Insights -

A new study analyzing data from 2019 to 2021 reveals that antimicrobial resistance rates remained relatively stable during the COVID-19 pandemic despite increased use of antimicrobial therapy. The research, conducted by Becton Dickinson and Company in collaboration with other institutions, aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of antimicrobial resistance in hospitalized patients before and during the pandemic. The study found that rates of antimicrobial resistance events were 35.4 per 1000 admissions in the pre-pandemic period and 34.7 per 1000 admissions during the pandemic period.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study evaluated trends in antimicrobial resistance rates in hospitalized adults aged 18 years and older in 271 US facilities using data from the BD Insights Research Database.
  • The analysis included 5,518,666 admissions, with antimicrobial resistance rates per 1000 admissions being 35.4 for the pre-pandemic period and 34.7 for the pandemic period.
  • Greater use of antimicrobial therapy and inadequate empiric therapy were associated with higher antimicrobial resistance rates.
  • The study used a retrospective cohort analysis to examine rates of antimicrobial resistance events, defined as positive cultures for select gram-negative and gram-positive pathogens from any source, with nonsusceptibility reported by commercial panels.
  • The research was supported by Merck & Company and Becton, Dickinson and Company, with Vikas Gupta, Becton Dickinson and Company, serving as the corresponding author.
  • The study's findings have significant implications for the development of effective antibiotic stewardship programs and the prevention of antimicrobial resistance.

Statistics:

  • 5,518,666 hospital admissions were evaluated in the study.
  • Antimicrobial resistance rates per 1000 admissions were 35.4 for the pre-pandemic period (1 July 2019-29 February 2020) and 34.7 for the pandemic period (1 March 2020-30 October 2021).
  • The study found that greater use of antimicrobial therapy and inadequate empiric therapy were associated with higher antimicrobial resistance rates.
  • 271 US facilities participated in the study, with data coming from the BD Insights Research Database.

Sources:

  • A Multicenter Comparison of Prevalence and Predictors of Antimicrobial Resistance In Hospitalized Patients Before and During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Pandemic. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 2022;9(11).
  • Oxford Univ Press Inc, Journals Dept, 2001 Evans Rd, Cary, NC 27513, USA
  • Becton Dickinson and Company, Becton Dr, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417, United States