Impact of Organism Reporting from Endotracheal Aspirate Cultures on Antimicrobial Prescribing Practices in Mechanically Ventilated Pediatric Patients
Andrea M. Prinzi, Rachel L Wattier, Donna Curtis, Sonja I. Ziniel, Allyson Fitzgerald, Kelly Pearce, Sarah K. Parker
Abstract
Endotracheal aspirate cultures (EACs) help diagnose lower respiratory tract infections in mechanically ventilated patients but are limited by contamination with normal microbiota and variation in laboratory reporting. Increased use of EACs is associated with increased antimicrobial prescribing, but the impact of microbiology reporting on prescribing practices is unclear. This study was a retrospective analysis of EACs from mechanically ventilated patients at Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHCO) admitted between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019. Chart review was performed to collect all culture and Gram stain components, as well as antibiotic use directed to organisms in culture. Reporting concordance was determined for each organism using American Society for Microbiology guidelines.