A Pilot Study: Interrupted Time-Series Analysis of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Antimicrobial Stewardship in a Secondary Care Setting in the United Kingdom

This pilot study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) practices in a UK secondary care setting. An interrupted time-series analysis compared antibiotic prescribing patterns for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) before (2019) and during (2020) the pandemic. The study, involving 80 admissions, highlights shifts in AMS practices. Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) was the most frequent diagnosis. Compliance with AMS practices, based on the PHE SMTF toolkit, showed 100% for clinical indication and drug allergy documentation. However, CURB-65 Score compliance remained at 60%, and other AMS interventions varied, with decreased compliance during the pandemic. RTI admissions peaked at 15 in December 2019, declined to 9 in June and September 2020. The study emphasises the need for adaptable AMS strategies during health crises to mitigate antimicrobial resistance and maintain effective patient care. Future research should focus on developing resilient AMS frameworks for global health emergencies.