[Piperacillin/Tazobactam Shortage: Central Restriction and Alternative Recommendations as Effective Antibiotic-Stewardship Intervention at a Maximal Care Hospital].

Background:  Drug supply bottleneck is a worldwide challenge, e. g. the antibiotics Piperacillin/Tazobactam shortage in 2016/2017. The efficacy of an appropriate replacement management was evaluated at the University Hospital Frankfurt (UHF).

Methods:  The Antibiotic-Stewardship (ABS)-Team at UHF decreed a restriction of PIP/TAZ and provided alternative antibiotic therapy recommendations during the shortage period. Consequences of this intervention on antibiotic consumption and overall costs were investigated.

Results:  Over 12-weeks, PIP/TAZ-mean application rate was reduced by 71 % and was predominantly used to treat hospital acquired pneumonia (62 %), febrile neutropenian children (12 %), followed by other indications (< 10 %, each). Alternative substances' use increased (Ceftazidim + 229 %, Imipenem/Cilastatin + 18 %, Meropenem + 27 %, Ceftriaxon + 26 %, Levofloxacin + 11 %, Ciprofloxacin + 14 %, Ampicillin/Sulbactam + 83 %), however the overall antibiotic consumption declined by -5.8 % (cost savings: 13 %). Simultaneously, additional personnel costs have been noted (+ 4300 €). The evidence rate of bloodstream infections with resistant bacteria and detection of Clostridium-difficile-toxin were both not significantly elevated, compared to windows just ahead, after and one year before intervention period.

Conclusion:  Drug shortages challenge hospital antibiotic-stewardship programs by enforced use of broad spectrum-antibiotics, endanger patient safety and require rational replacement strategies, following infectious diseases- and microbiological outlines. Whilst personnel expenditures are higher, antimicrobial-stewardship interventions may successfully contribute to prevent additional medication costs.