ArticleThe Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy2026
In-hospital antibiotic consumption in Lombardy, Italy (2017-2024): a retrospective analysis of regional administrative data.
Article in The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
introductionAntimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is essential to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Antibiotic consumption (AC) surveillance provides evidence to guide AMS interventions. This study investigated in-hospital AC trends in Lombardy, Italy (2017-2024), with particular focus on the impact of COVID-19.
methodsAC was expressed as DDDs per 100 bed days (absolute AC), relative proportions of Access/Watch/Reserve antibiotics (relative AC), Access-to-Watch index, and Access-to-(Watch + Reserve) index. Analyses were stratified by ward type-medical (MUs), surgical (SUs), and intensive care units (ICUs)-and timeframes: pre-COVID-19 (01/2017-02/2020), COVID-19 onset (02-03/2020), COVID-19 (03/2020-05/2023), and post-COVID-19 (05/2023-12/2024).
resultsDespite a surge in total AC in 2017-2024, relative Access AC rose while relative Watch AC declined, resulting in an increase of the Access-to-Watch and Access-to-(Watch + Reserve) indexes, except in ICUs. A transient reversal of such favourable trends was observed at COVID-19 onset. Nevertheless, the WHO 2023 target of ≥60% total AC being Access was not achieved; furthermore, Access-to-Watch and Access-to-(Watch + Reserve) indexes constantly remained <1, except for SUs. A downward trend in Access-to-Watch and Access-to-(Watch + Reserve) indexes was registered in the post-pandemic period. Reserve AC increased across time, periods and wards, exceeding the expected levels obtained using projections from pre-COVID-19 data.
conclusionsThese findings highlight substantial shifts in in-hospital AC in Lombardy during the period 2017-2024, with concerning increases in Reserve antibiotics and an enduring failure to meet the 2023 WHO target of ≥60% Access antibiotics especially in MUs and ICUs, underscoring the need for reinforced AMS policies in the post-pandemic era.
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