Integration of antimicrobial stewardship intervention with rapid organism identification improve outcomes in adult patients with bloodstream infections

Background: Integration of antimicrobial stewardship intervention (ASI) with rapid organism identification has the potential for early customization of antimicrobial therapy and improved clinical outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the impact of this combined approach on antimicrobial therapy-related outcomes in patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs). Materials and methods: A pre–post quasi-experimental study was conducted to analyze the impact of ASI with organism identification via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) among patients with BSIs. Outcomes were compared to a historic pre-intervention group. The 30-day mortality was the primary endpoint. Secondary outcomes included time to first antibiotic modification, length of hospital stay. Results: A total of 1004 adult patients with BSIs were included in the final analysis, 519 patients classified into the intervention group and 485 patients in the preintervention group. The patients in the intervention group were younger (66 vs. 70 years, P = 0.02). The 30-day crude mortality (14.6% vs. 29.9%, P < 0.001) was lower, the time to organism identification (72.25 vs. 83.6 h, P < 0.001) and length of hospital stay (12 days vs. 14 days, P < 0.001) were shorter in the intervention group. Acceptance of an ASI was associated with a trend toward a reduced 30-day mortality on multivariable analysis (odds ratio 0.33; 95% CI: 0.24–0.47; P < 0.001). Conclusion: The ASI combined with MALDI-TOF-MS approach decreased time to organism identification and time to appropriate antimicrobial therapy would achieve a better clinical outcome in the patients with BSIs.