Infection control: comparison analysis between 2023 and 2024 at “Cristo Re” Hospital in Rome

Abstract Background Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remain crucial global health concerns, affecting inpatients morbidity, prolonged hospitalization and healthcare costs. Surveillance and stewardship programs are essential tools in mitigating their impact. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of microbiological surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship initiatives implemented at Cristo Re Hospital between 2023 and 2024. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted analyzing microbiological laboratory data, antibiotic consumption (expressed as defined daily doses [DDD] per 1,000 patient-days), and hand hygiene product utilization, including data for all inpatients admitted during the two-year period. Results Among 7,407 hospitalizations in 2023 and 8,271 in 2024, a notable reduction in isolated pathogens was observed, from 368 (including 106 multidrug-resistant organisms, MDROs) to 243 (89 MDROs) pathogens. Specific reductions included: MRSA (42.9% vs 35%), E. coli-ESBL (40.3% vs 45.6%), K. pneumoniae-carbapenem resistant CR (39.1% vs 21.7%), and DTR-P. aeruginosa (50% vs 35%). Antibiotic use showed favorable trends for meropenem from 37.9 to 23.9 DDD/1,000 patient-days and ceftazidime/avibactam from 6.3 to 3.4. Concurrently increased consumption was noted in piperacillin/tazobactam (73.5 to 100.2) and meropenem/vaborbactam (0.86 to 2.6). Hand sanitizer usage remained stable hospital-wide, although with a significant rise in internal medicine unit. Conclusions The implementation of microbiological surveillance and an antibiotic stewardship program lead to significant reduction in MDROs isolates. A continuous training for heath-care workers and a multidisciplinary infection control team seem to be crucial in preventing HAIs and improving antimicrobial stewardship programs. Key messages • Timely microbiological monitoring in hospital wards is critical in the containment of HAIs. • Appropriate use of antibiotics should be an integral part of antimicrobial stewardship training programs.