Observational studyPloS one2025
Maximizing cost savings and clinical outcomes: A retrospective analysis of antimicrobial stewardship for meropenem utilization in Saudi Arabia.
Observational study in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- From burden to action: Saudi Arabia's strategy on antimicrobial resistance.Open medicine (Warsaw, Poland) · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundMeropenem, a key antibiotic for multidrug-resistant infections, is often misused, leading to antimicrobial resistance, increased healthcare costs, and excessive consumption. Optimizing its use through antimicrobial stewardship program is crucial to improving clinical outcomes, reducing resistance, and minimizing unnecessary expenditures.
objectivesTo evaluate trends in meropenem utilization, compliance, consumption, and cost across consecutive quarters from April 2022 to December 2023, highlighting the impact of the gradual implementation of antimicrobial stewardship guidelines and the pivotal role of clinical pharmacists in improving patient outcomes.
methodsA retrospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary-care private hospital in Saudi Arabia between April 2022 and December 2023. Meropenem utilization was assessed quarterly based on predefined key indicators to evaluate compliance with antimicrobial stewardship guidelines; Q1-2022 served as a baseline for comparison. Consumption was measured in defined daily doses (DDD) per 1,000 patient-days, and cost analysis was performed using Antimicrobial Cost Per Patient Day (ACPD). The main outcome measures included clinical improvement within 72 hours and transfer or discharge in good clinical condition.
resultsOverall compliance with antimicrobial stewardship program guidelines improved significantly from 85.7% in 2022 to 100% in 2023 (p = 0.02). Specific indicators showed substantial progress: compliance with drug interaction considerations increased from 93.8% (123/131) to 98.7% (157/159), appropriate duration compliance rose from 68.3% (82/120) to 90.3% (112/124), and adherence to culture follow-up interventions improved from 51.2% (43/84) to 81.7% (67/82) (all p < 0.05). However, compliance with appropriate dosing declined significantly from 89.3% (117/131) to 82% (123/150). By late 2023, enhanced compliance correlated with better clinical outcomes. Meropenem consumption decreased by 47%, resulting in cumulative savings estimated at 554,285 Saudi Riyals (S.R.), with expenses reduced to approximately 56,365.19 S.R.
conclusionThe phased implementation of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in the clinical setting effectively optimized meropenem use, reducing consumption and costs, and improving prescribing practices and patient outcomes.
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