Multiple-Antimicrobial Resistance of Patients in Internal Medicine Department

Abstract

The aim of this retrospective descriptive study was to investigate the incidence of Multiple-Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) of patients in the internal medicine department. The purposive samples of patients’ medical records in internal medicine units, having multiple-AMR from microbiology test during 1^st January -31^st December 2021, were recruited. The instrument comprised 3 parts: 1) the personal information sheet, 2) the multiple-AMR data record forms, and 3) the outcomes record forms. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.  

The findings revealed that 175 patients were infected by multiple-AMR, 81.14% were over 60 years of age, 30.29% had previously been admitted to hospital 3-5 times in a 12-month period, 62.86% had formerly been infected with AMR, 97.14% had co-morbidities with NCDs, and 79.42% had indwelling catheterization. There were 62.86% of the samples classified as hospital-acquired infections—the most were urinary tract infection (66.86%) followed by respiratory tract infection (22.86%). The most common AMR strains found were Escherichia coli (36.00%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (32.00%). Additionally, 51.43% of the samples had been prescribed more than 2 classes of antibiotics which cost 2,737,398.00 baht in total, 38.85% took more than 60 hospital days, and 46.29% were death.

The study found that there was a high incidence rate of Multiple-AMR in the internal medicine department resulting in high cost of antibiotic medications used, increased hospital days, and a high rate of deaths. This will serve as a basis for studying factors influencing Multiple-AMR and suggest development of guidelines for reducing antimicrobial resistance.