Carbapenem use in French hospitals: A nationwide survey at the patient level

•Approximately one-half of carbapenems are prescribed on an empirical basis.•Perceived risk of multidrug-resistant organisms accounts for one-third of empirically prescribed carbapenems.•One-quarter of patients treated by carbapenems in French healthcare settings do not have positive bacteriological result to rely on.•Antibiotic specialist consultants currently play a minor role in carbapenem use at any stage of treatment.•Further proof of efficacy of β-lactam alternatives to carbapenems should be gathered to improve de-escalation.