Impact of Procalcitonin Levels on Antibiotic Days of Therapy in Medical-ICU Patients with Sepsis Kerry Ward,Kathy Pollitzer,Chelsea Searels,Donley Galloway,Jennafer Pennell Medical Center of Central Georgia PGY1 - Macon, GA
Background/Purpose: Procalcitonin has emerged as a useful diagnostic marker for invasive bacterial disease. Normalization of procalcitonin levels can be used to guide antibiotic discontinuation in septic patients without a negative impact on morbidity and mortality. This study will attempt to identify differences in antibiotic days of therapy in patients who have sepsis with measured procalcitonin levels versus patients with sepsis who do not have measured procalcitonin levels.
Methodology: Eligible patients are those greater than or equal to 18 years of age being treated in the medical intensive care unit for sepsis. ICD-10 codes were used to generate a report of all patients treated for sepsis and retrospective chart review was completed to gather data. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether or not procalcitonin levels were measured. Antibiotic days of therapy was determined in each patient and a comparison of those days of therapy between groups was completed.
Presentation Objective: Determine how the presence, or lack of, procalcitonin levels impacted antibiotic days of therapy in medical intensive care unit patients with sepsis.
Self-Assessment: How can procalcitonin levels be used to aid in antimicrobial stewardship efforts?
