Prevalence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms in patients admitted to the intensive care unit

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine the characteristics observed in the analysis of the medical records of patients admitted to the intensive care unit of the Manuel Belgrano General Acute Care Hospital, during the period from 1 January to 30 June 2024. The study analyses multi-resistant microorganisms, the pathology of admission, the requirement for mechanical ventilation, the antibiotics used empirically and/or directed according to cultures and mortality. The methodology used is a retrospective and observational study to identify the microorganisms present in the intensive care unit of a hospital in a province of Buenos Aires. The main objectives are: 1. To evaluate the number of patients in intensive care with infection by multi-resistant microorganisms in the period from 1 January to 30 June 2024 at Manuel Belgrano Hospital. 2. To determine the types of multi-resistant microorganisms most frequently found in intensive care. 3. To assess the mortality of infected patients. Results: The analysis included 28 patients hospitalised in the ICU from 1 January to 30 June 2024, with an average age of 58.3 years, of whom 70% were men. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (35%), chronic lung disease (26%) and a history of cancer (22%). The main pathogens identified were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (15%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (13%). The most commonly used antibiotic treatments included meropenem and vancomycin, although 70% of the cases presented resistance to multiple drugs, resulting in a mortality rate of 47%. The average length of hospitalisation was 34 days, and 40% of patients discharged required follow-up in specialised care. Respiratory failure affected 65% of patients, with 50% requiring mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: This study has highlighted the complexities and challenges associated with infections caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms in hospitalised patients. The high mortality rate highlights the urgent need for effective management and prevention strategies. Resistance to multiple antibiotics significantly affects treatment options, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnoses. In addition, the use of mechanical ventilation in a considerable number of patients indicates the severity of respiratory infections. It is essential to strengthen collaboration between multidisciplinary teams, implement rigorous infection control protocols and promote continuous education to face this growing challenge in medical care.