PHARMACEUTICAL INTERVENTIONS IN AN ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM FOR ANTIMICROBIAL MANAGEMENT IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and the growing antimicrobial resistance represent major challenges to patient safety, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs), where antimicrobial use is frequent and complex. In this context, Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs) have emerged as essential strategies to promote the rational use of these medications, with the active participation of the clinical pharmacist. This study aimed to evaluate the pharmaceutical interventions performed within the scope of a stewardship program for antimicrobial management in ICUs of a hospital located in the Northern region of Ceará, Brazil. This is a descriptive and retrospective study with a quantitative approach and documentary nature, conducted through the analysis of ASP monitoring records from July to December 2024, involving patients admitted to Adult ICUs I, II, and III. A total of 284 patients were monitored, resulting in 1,281 pharmaceutical interventions, with a 100% acceptance rate by the healthcare team. The interventions were mainly related to requests for microbiological cultures and optimization of antimicrobial therapy, including dose adjustment, treatment duration optimization, therapeutic escalation, and de-escalation. The results highlight the relevance of the clinical pharmacist’s role within the ASP, contributing to the improvement of antimicrobial therapy and to patient safety.