Abstract
Multidrug-resistant organisms may emerge as a result of many factors including widespread or long-term usage of broad-spectrum antimicrobials.Therefore, it is essential to avoid inappropriate use. A carbapenem use restriction program was developed to promote correct antimicrobial use. As a result, the consumption of carbapenems significantly decreased from 12, 993 vials in 2005 to 4, 815 vials in 2006 (p<0.01). Moreover, the incidence of Pseudornonas aeruginosa isolates resistant to imipenem (IPM) and the detection rate of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa significantly decreased from 12.5% to 6.6% (p<0.05) and from 3.0% to 1.3%, respectively. Thus, the restriction program prevented the unnecessary use and optimized the administration of carbapenems, and successfully reduced the emergence of drug resistant bacteria. Administration of the most effective dosage (based on the PK/PD properties of carbapenems) of 2 vials two times a day or 1 vial three times a day was increased. The restriction program was effective in terms of correct antimicrobial use. Infectious disease consultation should be mandatory prior to prescription of broad-spectrum antimicrobials.
