Faster Track to Optimal Antibiotic Use Could Save Lives, Shorten Hospital Stays

Longmont, CO -The inappropriate use or misuse of antibiotics was reported by 9 of 10 infection control officers and laboratory personnel in a nationwide survey of 218 hospitals. Problems cited include unnecessary antibiotic use and the use of weaker broad-spectrum agents when 'targeted,' bacteria-specific antibiotics would be more effective. The survey was commissioned by MicroPhage, Inc., provider of the KeyPath™ MRSA/MSSA Blood Culture Test, which returns antibiotic susceptibility results from positive blood cultures for deadly Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus or "staph") infections within a day rather than the three days required for typical testing procedures.

Hospital personnel are especially concerned about these issues in treatment of serious S. aureus bloodstream infections (SABSI). The mortality rate for these infections is 23 to 36 percent -- allowing only a small window of time to administer optimal antibiotic therapy to prevent a possible deterioration to sepsis.1,2 The vast majority (87%) of survey respondents agree that SABSI's are among the leading concerns at their institutions.
Nearly all (96%) cite the importance of determining if the infecting organism is methicillin-susceptible (MSSA), as well as determining if it is methicillin-resistant (MRSA). In addition, 91% cite the need to optimize therapy away from broad spectrum agents, such as vancomycin, in treating S. aureus infections. A majority believe that earlier antibiotic susceptibility results (within 1 day instead of the typical 3 days) would improve cure rates (84% agree) and shorten patient hospital stays (87% agree).

"The survey results reflect what infection control staff know, that the sooner we can distinguish MSSA from MRSA, the sooner we can put the patient on optimal antibiotic therapy and the better it is for the patient," stated Dr. Jack Brown, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy, Medicine and Public Health at The State University of New York at Buffalo. "Use of innovative products like KeyPath that provide earlier susceptibility results have the potential to save lives."

Antibiotic Misuse

Nine out of ten of the hospital personnel surveyed believe that antibiotics are often used inappropriately in hospital settings: 91% state that antibiotics are often or sometimes administered unnecessarily in hospital settings, including half (49%) who feel this happens often. All respondents agree that antibiotics are often or sometimes continued unnecessarily. A total of 94% say that broad spectrum agents are often or sometimes used to treat infections that could be better treated with targeted antibiotics. Remarkably, half of respondents (54%) say this happens often.

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