Comparison of Solid Organ Transplant Specific and Hospital-wide Gram-Negative Antibiograms

There is limited guidance for empiric antimicrobial therapy in this population. Local epidemiology plays a voluble role in managing infections empirically within the hospital setting. Antibiograms can serve as a critical tool in optimizing empiric antimicrobial decisions. Refining antibiogram data to specific populations such as SOT patients may allow for timelier and appropriate empiric use of antimicrobials, and improve clinical outcomes.

Time to appropriate therapy (antimicrobial testing susceptible in vitro to the pathogen identified) is of vital importance in management of serious infections. SOT may have different resistance rates at Methodist Dallas Medical Center making the applicability of the yearly hospital-wide antibiogram unknown for use in this specialized patient population. A SOT-Specific antibiogram may highlight common resistance patterns identified in pathogens seen in this patient population. Additionally, this investigation may further emphasize the importance of antimicrobial stewardship activities such as: appropriate empiric antibacterial decisions, de-escalation, and effective durations of therapy.