Antimicrobial Use in a Cohort of US Nursing Homes, 2017

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Author Affiliations

JAMA. 2021;325(13):1286-1295. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.2900

Question  How often and which types of antimicrobials were used among US nursing home residents in 2017?

Findings  In this cross-sectional survey that included 15 276 residents of 161 nursing homes, the point prevalence of antimicrobial use was 8.2 per 100 nursing home residents. The most common indication was treatment or prevention of urinary tract infection (29%), and 33% were broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Meaning  This study provides information on prevalence and patterns of antimicrobial use in a cohort of nursing homes in 2017.

Abstract

Importance  Controlling antimicrobial resistance in health care is a public health priority, although data describing antimicrobial use in US nursing homes are limited.

Objective  To measure the prevalence of antimicrobial use and describe antimicrobial classes and common indications among nursing home residents.

Design, Setting, and Participants  Cross-sectional, 1-day point-prevalence surveys of antimicrobial use performed between April 2017 and October 2017, last survey date October 31, 2017, and including 15 276 residents present on the survey date in 161 randomly selected nursing homes from selected counties of 10 Emerging Infections Program (EIP) states. EIP staff reviewed nursing home records to collect data on characteristics of residents and antimicrobials administered at the time of the survey. Nursing home characteristics were obtained from nursing home staff and the Nursing Home Compare website.

Exposures  Residence in one of the participating nursing homes at the time of the survey.

Main Outcomes and Measures  Prevalence of antimicrobial use per 100 residents, defined as the number of residents receiving antimicrobial drugs at the time of the survey divided by the total number of surveyed residents. Multivariable logistic regression modeling of antimicrobial use and percentages of drugs within various classifications.

Results  Among 15 276 nursing home residents included in the study (mean [SD] age, 77.6 [13.7] years; 9475 [62%] women), complete prevalence data were available for 96.8%. The overall antimicrobial use prevalence was 8.2 per 100 residents (95% CI, 7.8-8.8). Antimicrobial use was more prevalent in residents admitted to the nursing home within 30 days before the survey date (18.8 per 100 residents; 95% CI, 17.4-20.3), with central venous catheters (62.8 per 100 residents; 95% CI, 56.9-68.3) or with indwelling urinary catheters (19.1 per 100 residents; 95% CI, 16.4-22.0). Antimicrobials were most often used to treat active infections (77% [95% CI, 74.8%-79.2%]) and primarily for urinary tract infections (28.1% [95% CI, 15.5%-30.7%]). While 18.2% (95% CI, 16.1%-20.1%) were for medical prophylaxis, most often use was for the urinary tract (40.8% [95% CI, 34.8%-47.1%]). Fluoroquinolones were the most common antimicrobial class (12.9% [95% CI, 11.3%-14.8%]), and 33.1% (95% CI, 30.7%-35.6%) of antimicrobials used were broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Conclusions and Relevance  In this cross-sectional survey of a cohort of US nursing homes in 2017, prevalence of antimicrobial use was 8.2 per 100 residents. This study provides information on the patterns of antimicrobial use among these nursing home residents.

Source: //jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2778111?guestAccessKey=43ccc729-bc32-406d-b720-826a188cf0fc&utm_source=silverchair&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=article_alert-jama&utm_content=etoc&utm_term=040621