Study of clinicomicrobiological profile of infections in patients admitted to the intensive care unit

Abstract Background: In the absence of precise microbiological data, treatment is started with broad-spectrum antimicrobials, without discrimination as to the likely causative microorganisms resulting in ineffective therapy and increased antimicrobial resistance. The study was planned to know clinicomicrobiological profile of infections in patients admitted to ICU. Methods: This prospective study was conducted for one year (January to December 2020). All the patients admitted to the medical ICU with evidence of infection after 48 h of admission were included in the study. The specimens received were cultured and the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was determined according to standard protocol. The detailed clinical profile and risk factors were noted in these patients to correlate to the outcome. The data obtained were statistically analysed. Results: Over a period of 1 year, 1039 patients were admitted to the medical ICU and infections were present in 105 patients with an infection rate of 10%. A total of 122 bacterial infections were characterised and 131 isolates were obtained. The most common isolate was Klebsiella spp.(24.4%), followed by Acinetobacter baumannii (22.9%) and Pseudomonas spp .(19.1%). Conclusions: As the use of antibiotics has increased, it has led to increased antimicrobial resistance and knowledge of antimicrobial resistance patterns and the result of culture reports provides guidance for the treatment, thus improving the outcome of the patient.