Antibiotic Regimens Tailored by Clinical Pharmacist Suppored by Intensivist Enhanced Rational Use of Antibiotics

During the intervention period, the pharmacist attended daily unit rounds with ICU intensivist with a focus on optimization of antibiotic regimens. Pharmacist consultative services were also available by phone calls 24 hours x 7 days if needed. For every patient surgical prophylactic antibiotic initiated immediately before surgery and continued for 48 hours following surgery. Antibiotic therapy had given as either directed or empiric. Directed therapy was defined as treatment of a documented infection based on culture and sensitivity. Empiric therapy was defined as any antibiotic therapy administered when no documented infection was present, and the patient had clinically suspected infection following surgery. Empiric antibiotic administration was required in majority of our SICU patients. Antibiotics had given after exclusion of allergy by history and intradermal sensitivity test.