Antibiotic prescription patterns for treating respiratory infections across intensive care unit (ICUs) in India

BACKGROUND: Respiratory infections are a major challenge in ICUs across India. An audit of antibiotic prescribing patterns is an important indicator of the quality and standard of clinical practice. We aimed to assess the antimicrobial prescribing practices for treating respiratory tract infections in ICUs across 5 states in India. METHODOLOGY: Prospective multicentre, observational study was conducted across 9 sites of Respiratory Research Network of India. On obtaining written consent for participation, patient who were prescribed antibiotics were included in the study. Information was captured on the Questionnaire consisting of demographics, diagnosis u0026 antibiotic prescription patterns. RESULTS: Prescription of 361 patients admitted over a period of 6 months were analysed. The mean age was 53.94 years (±17.99). 65% patients were males. 35% were females. The infections included Pneumonia (43%), Obstructive Airway Disease - OAD (37.8%), Respiratory Failure - RF (16.9%), Pleural Disease (13%), Tuberculosis (13%), Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome - ARDS (8%), Bronchiectasis (5%), Interstitial Lung Disease (2.2%) and others (5%). The prescribed antibiotics for pneumonia, OAD, RF and ARDS has been mentioned as CONCLUSION: Penicillin and Cephalosporin are the most widely prescribed antibiotics for respiratory infections among patients admitted to the ICU9s In India.