Efficacy of an antimicrobial stewardship intervention for early adaptation of antibiotic therapy in high-risk neutropenic patients

Abstract

Abstract Background The 4th European Conference on Infections in Leukemia recommends early adaptation of empirical antibiotic therapy (EAT) for febrile neutropenia in stable patients. Objectives To assess the efficacy of an antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) intervention promoting early de-escalation and discontinuation of EAT in high-risk neutropenic patients. Methods This before-after study was conducted in the hematology department of the University Hospital of Nice, France. The AMS intervention included the development of clinical decision support algorithms, a twice-weekly face-to-face review of all antibiotic prescriptions and monthly feedback on the intervention. The primary endpoint was overall antibiotic consumption during hospital stay, expressed as days of therapy (DOT). Results A total of 113 admissions were included: 56 during the pre-intervention period and 57 during the intervention period. Induction chemotherapy and conditioning for allogeneic stem cell transplantation were the most frequent reasons for admission. In the intervention period, there was a significant decrease in overall antibiotic consumption (median DOT 20 vs. 28 days, p = 0.006), carbapenem consumption (median DOT 5.5 vs. 9 days, p = 0.017) and anti-resistant Gram-positive agents consumption (median DOT 8 vs. 11.5 days, p = 0.017). We found no statistical difference in the rates of intensive care unit admission (9% in each period) and 30-day mortality (5% vs. 0%, p = 0.243). Compliance with de-escalation and discontinuation strategies was significantly higher in the intervention period (77% vs. 8%, p < 0.001). Conclusion A multifaceted AMS intervention led to high compliance with early de-escalation and discontinuation of EAT and lower overall antibiotic consumption, without negatively affecting clinical outcomes.