Antibiogram Analysis of Pathogen Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns in A Tertiary Care Hospital

Background Information-Antibiograms are reports that summarize bacterial antibiotic susceptibility rates across different departments within a healthcare facility. By outlining bacterial susceptibility patterns to various antibiotics, they provide valuable insights for clinicians in selecting appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy. Culture sensitivity testing, which involves culturing bacteria and assessing their response to different antibiotics, is a crucial component of antibiogram development. Antibiograms help in guiding monitoring resistance trends and promote rational antibiotic use. They can help to reduce the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which can contribute to the development of resistant organisms. Early appropriate therapy is crucial to minimize morbidity and complications. Materials And Methods- A descriptive research approach with an observational study design was used for this study with culture sensitivity test information obtained from 281 patients. The results were analysed to determine pathogen presence and antibiotic susceptibility using various statistical analysis tools. This involved the careful examination of factors such as the types of pathogens identified, their frequency of occurrence, and their resistance patterns to different classes of antibiotics. Results-The results revealed high resistance to Ampicillin followed by Cefuroxime in the general medicine department, while Meropenem followed by Imipenem demonstrated the highest number of specimens obtained from the general medicine department. E.coli was the predominant pathogen, followed by Klebsiella and Pseudomonas. A survey among patients revealed inadequate knowledge of antibiotic use, with many patients self-medicating and not completing the prescribed course. These findings highlight the urgent need for improved antimicrobial stewardship and patient education to address the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. Conclusion-In conclusion, this study successfully assesses pathogen prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility in a tertiary care hospital.