The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic challenged health-care systems focusing their activity on patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Previous experience with co-infections and su-perinfections in patients infected with other coronaviruses (SARS-CoV and MERS), the influenza patients admitted to hospitals and prevention of the unknown led to the increased empirical use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in hospitals. The breakdown of antimicrobial stewardship and infection control programs determine an increase in infections due to multi-drug-resistant bacteria, particularly in intensive care units. Most of these infections are related to high-risk carbapene-mase-producing clones and occasionally with resistance to new β-lactam-β-lactamase inhibitor combinations. On the contrary, in the primary care, there has been a decrease in the use of antimicrobials during the first wave, although it would not have had a significant impact on pathogens associated with community-acquired infections. The accumulated experience reaffirms the need to maintain antimicrobial stewardship and infection control programs in future health crises.
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CITATION STYLE
Ruiz-Garbajosa, P., & Cantón, R. (2021). Covid-19: Impact on prescribing and antimicrobial resistance. Revista Espanola de Quimioterapia, 34, 63–68. https://doi.org/10.37201/req/s01.19.2021