Therapeutic drug monitoring of meropenem and piperacillin-tazobactam in the Singapore critically ill population - A prospective, multi-center, observational study (BLAST 1).

Purpose: To determine percentage of patients with sub-therapeutic beta-lactam exposure in our intensive care units (ICU) and to correlate target attainment with clinical outcomes.

Materials And Methods: Multi-centre, prospective, observational study was conducted in ICUs from three hospitals in Singapore from July 2016 to May 2018. Adult patients (≥21 years) receiving meropenem or piperacillin-tazobactam were included.

Role of antibiotic prophylaxis in necrotizing pancreatitis: a meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: Several studies have yielded conflicting results on the role of antibiotic prophylaxis in improving outcomes in acute necrotizing pancreatitis. A meta-analysis was carried out to investigate the impact of antibiotic prophylaxis in the incidence of infected pancreatic necrosis and mortality.

Methodology: Randomized controlled trials and cohort studies investigating impact of prophylactic systemic antibiotic used in acute necrotizing pancreatitis were retrieved from online databases.

Prospective audit and feedback in antimicrobial stewardship: is there value in early reviewing within 48 h of antibiotic prescription?

Antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP) methodologies are not well defined, with most preferring to wait ≥72-96 h following antibiotic prescription before reviewing patients. However, we hypothesise that early ASP reviews and interventions are beneficial and do not adversely impact patient safety. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of early ASP interventions within 48 h of antibiotic prescription on patient outcomes and safety.

Impact of an antimicrobial stewardship programme on patient safety in Singapore General Hospital.

Whilst studies have shown that antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) can effectively reduce antibiotic utilisation, cost of care and even antimicrobial resistance rates, ASPs should avoid the perception that the goal is primarily to reduce antibiotic purchases and costs, instead of focusing on improving the quality of care. In addition, to address the concern of primary physicians who deemed that ASPs' choices of antibiotics were often inadequate, the impact of ASPs on patient safety should be monitored and evaluated. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of ASP interventions on patient safety in Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a 1559-bed, large, acute, tertiary-care hospital in Singapore.