Modern approaches enhancing the efficiency of antibiotic therapy in hospital practice

Overview

The current effective antibiotic therapy requires modern approaches focused on optimizing treatment and slowing the growth of antimicrobial resistance.

A key tool in hospitals is the concept of antimicrobial stewardship, which relies on collaboration in multidisciplinary teams composed of infectious disease specialists, microbiologists, clinical pharmacists, and epidemiologists. These teams focus on the correct choice of antibiotic and its dosage, monitoring its effectiveness and minimising adverse effects.

Expanding possibilities in the field of monitoring and interpretation of plasma concentrations of an increasing number of antibiotics enable effective and safe optimization of dosing and administration methods (prolonged and continuous infusions) adjusted for individual patients, thereby allowing a personalized approach to pharmacotherapy. The optimization of antibiotic dosing is further supported using modern administration tools.

In the hospital setting, electronic parametric prescribing, centralized preparation and dispensing of anti-infectives by the hospital pharmacy also leads to improved safety. In outpatient care, possibilities are expanding with the concept of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy, which reduces the risk of nosocomial infections and provides the comfort of a home environment for patients. However, its broader use is hindered mainly by the lack of official stability data for antibiotic preparations, as well as administrative and financial barriers associated with integrating this innovative concept into routine practice.

Keywords:

anti-bacterial agents, multidisciplinary care team, therapeutic drug monitoring, drug stability, drug infusion systems