Are United States hospitals following national guidelines for the analysis and presentation of cumulative antimicrobial susceptibility data?

Erika J. Ernst, Daniel J. Diekema, Bonnie J. BootsMiller, Thomas Vaughn, Jon W. Yankey, Stephen D. Flach, Marcia M. Ward, Carrie L.J. Franciscus, Elise Acosta, Michael A. Pfaller, Bradley N. Doebbeling

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

The National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards recently published guidelines for analysis and presentation of cumulative antimicrobial susceptibility test data (antibiograms). We sought to determine how well US hospitals already adhere to standards for antibiogram compilation, and to examine the relationship between hospital characteristics and guideline adherence. We surveyed laboratory directors at 670 hospitals and examined 3 guideline criteria: compilation of an antibiogram, annual updating, and distribution to infection control staff and medical staff yearly; 494 surveys were returned (74%). Almost all of the hospitals surveyed publish an antibiogram (95%, n = 481); however, only 60% (n = 296) met all three criteria. Hospital laboratories meeting criteria were more likely to serve as referral laboratories (OR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.26-2.63), perform susceptibility testing on site (OR = 4.47; 95% CI = 1.84-10.84), use confirmatory tests to detect extended-spectrum β-lactamases (OR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.2-2.6), and have more laboratory personnel per bed (3.0 vs. 2.0 FTEs/bed, p = 0.0031). Adherence to guidelines for preparation and dissemination of antibiograms could be improved. Institutional commitment to high quality, on-site microbiology laboratory services will improve adherence to these guidelines.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)141-145
Number of pages5
JournalDiagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
Volume49
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Are United States hospitals following national guidelines for the analysis and presentation of cumulative antimicrobial susceptibility data?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this