Appropriate Use of Vancomycin in a Cardiac Surgical Unit

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is a quickly growing problem, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and VRE are major worries, particularly in developing nations where cost-effectiveness is . Vancomycin usage needs to be controlled to avoid the growth of organisms that are resistant to it. Examining the appropriateness rate of vancomycin use in light of the recommendations of theInfectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) in the cardiac surgery ward was the aim of this study. Methodology: The study was performed retrospectively. Medical records of patients in cardiac wards treated with vancomycin for the past year were identified and selected. Results: Overall, 294 patients were treated with vancomycin. Appropriate use of vancomycin was higher than inappropriate use (p = 0.001). Approximately 41 % (n = 120 ) of patients were given vancomycin for treatment, whereas the rest were given it empirically. Appropriate use of vancomycin was observed in 89.1 % (n =262 ) of patients. However, there was still a high rate of inappropriate vancomycin use (n = 32 , 10.9 %). The most common reason for inappropriate use was continuing to use beyond 72 hours without further evidence of Gram-positive infection. (n = 20 , 62.5 %) of all inappropriate. Conclusions: According to this study, 10.1% of the Vancomycin that was prescribed to our cardiac surgery patients was inappropriate.