Implementation of antibiotic stewardship programmes in French ICUs in 2018: a nationwide cross-sectional survey

Background Antibiotic stewardship programmes have a pivotal role in ICUs, but the level of implementation of these programmes at the regional or national level is not well known. Objectives The aim of our study was to assess the level of implementation of antibiotic stewardship programmes in French ICUs. Methods We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey from January to March 2018 using an online questionnaire sent as an E-mail link to ICU specialists (one questionnaire per ICU). Results Overall, 113 out of 206 (55%) ICUs participated. Access to local epidemiology regarding bacterial resistance and antibiotic consumption data was reported in 84% and 65% of ICUs, respectively. Local guidelines for antibiotic use were available in 54% of ICUs. The duration of empirical antibiotic therapy was limited in 46% of cases, following the recommendation of an external expert in 33%. An antibiotic stewardship programme leader was reported at the hospital level by 94% of respondents, being an infectious disease physician in 80%. His/her role in the ICU was mostly to discuss specific cases (50%) and to provide advice on antibiotic prescriptions (26%). Regarding microbiological diagnosis, blood cultures were not processed at night or during weekends in 57%. Molecular biology and MS techniques were available in 62% and 59% of cases, respectively. Therapeutic drug monitoring of beta-lactams was available in 46% of cases. Forty-three percent of respondents knew the expression antimicrobial/antibiotic stewardship'. Conclusions Antibiotic stewardship programmes are not optimally implemented in French ICUs. Improvement efforts and regular monitoring of the level of implementation are needed.