17 Apr 2025 • A large study has raised concerns about the widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in patients with suspected sepsis. Researchers found that 31.5% of patients likely did not have a bacterial infection, yet were still treated with anti-MRSA and antipseudomonal β-lactam antibiotics. Even among those with confirmed or probable bacterial infections (68.5%), 79.1% received antibiotics broader than necessary.

In the 90 days following treatment, 17.3% of all patients developed antibiotic-associated complications, most commonly new infections or resistant organism colonization (8%). Patients with less likely or no bacterial infections had higher mortality rates (9.0% vs 4.9%; aOR 2.25), suggesting potential harm from unnecessary antibiotic exposure.

These findings emphasize the urgent need to adopt more judicious antibiotic strategies in emergency settings to minimize unnecessary exposure and combat rising antimicrobial resistance.

Source: Oxford Academic | Read Full Story