Point-prevalence survey of antimicrobial use in intensive care units in Nepal.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and practices of antibiotic use in intensive care units (ICUs) in Nepal and to identify potential areas for implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs. Design: A point prevalence survey was conducted to characterize and quantify the antimicrobial utilization in level III ICUs of Nepal. Methods: Data on antibiotic prescription rates, reasons for prescribing antibiotics, and prescribing practices were collected and analyzed. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was also assessed. Results: The antibiotic prescribing rate was found to be very high, with 92.85% of patients in ICU on antibiotics. Prolonged surgical prophylaxis was the most common reason for prescribing antibiotics. Empirical therapy accounted for 67.5% of all antibiotic prescriptions. Prescribing practices were poor, with low adherence to guidelines and best practices. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were commonly used even for surgical prophylaxis or community-acquired infections. High resistance was observed against commonly used antibiotics. Conclusions: The study underscores the urgent need for effective antimicrobial stewardship programs in ICUs of Nepal. Implementing robust stewardship programs could help optimize antibiotic utilization, improve patient outcomes, and combat the global threat of antimicrobial resistance. The findings serve as a stepping stone toward understanding and improving antibiotic prescribing practices in ICUs of Nepal.

Characteristics and Outcome of Patients with COVID-19 Undergoing Invasive Mechanical Ventilation for Respiratory Failure in a Tertiary Level Hospital in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Corona virus disease 2019 has become a global health issue. The goal of this study was to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with corona virus disease 2019 undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation and identify factors associated with mortality. METHODS: Ninety four consecutive critically ill patients with confirmed corona virus disease 2019 undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation were included in this retrospective, single-center, observational study. The outcome variable was mortality of patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation and factors associated with it during intensive care unit stay. RESULTS: Seventy nine (84%) out of 94 patients with confirmed corona virus disease 2019 who underwent invasive mechanical ventilation didn't survive. Ninety four percent of patients who had Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus did not survive in comparison to 72 percent of patients who didn't have Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Similarly, 48 (94.1%) out of 51 patients with a positive C-reactive protein value didn't survive in comparison to 31 (72%) out of 43 patients with a negative C-reactive protein. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and a positive C-reactive protein value were strongly associated with mortality. Patients with a Sequential organ failure assessment score of more than eight at intensive care unit admission and peak D-dimer level of more than or equal to two during intensive care unit stay didn't show significant association with mortality. These findings need further exploration through larger prospective studies.

Combination of convalescent plasma therapy and repurposed drugs to treat severe COVID-19 patient with multimorbidity.

Combination of convalescent plasma therapy and repurposed drugs such as dexamethasone and remdesivir could be beneficial for severe COVID-19 patients with obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Operationalisation of the Randomized Embedded Multifactorial Adaptive Platform for COVID-19 trials in a low and lower-middle income critical care learning health system.

The Randomized Embedded Multifactorial Adaptive Platform (REMAP-CAP) adapted for COVID-19) trial is a global adaptive platform trial of hospitalised patients with COVID-19. We describe implementation in three countries under the umbrella of the Wellcome supported Low and Middle Income Country (LMIC) critical  care network: Collaboration for Research, Implementation and Training in Asia (CCA). The collaboration sought to overcome known barriers to multi centre-clinical trials in resource-limited settings. Methods described focused on six aspects of implementation: i, Strengthening an existing community of practice; ii, Remote study site recruitment, training and support; iii, Harmonising the REMAP CAP- COVID trial with existing care processes; iv, Embedding REMAP CAP- COVID case report form into the existing CCA registry platform, v, Context specific adaptation and data management; vi, Alignment with existing pandemic and critical care research in the CCA. Methods described here may enable other LMIC sites to participate as equal partners in international critical care trials of urgent public health importance, both during this pandemic and beyond.

Preparedness for Coronavirus Disease in Hospitals of Nepal: A Nationwide Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease pandemic has affected large number of people globally and has continued to spread. Preparedness of individual nations and the hospitals is important to effectively deal with the surge of cases. We aimed to obtain nation wide data from Nepal, about hospital preparedness for COVID-19. METHODS: Online questionnaire was prepared in accordance with the Center for Disease Control recommendations to assess preparedness of hospitals for COVID-19. The questionnaire was circulated to the over 800 doctors across the nation, who are the life members of six medical societies. RESULTS: We obtained 131 completed responses from all seven provinces. Majority of respondents had anaesthesiology as the primary specialty. Only 52 (39.7%) participants mentioned that their hospital had policy to receive suspected or proven cases with COVID-19. Presence of isolation ward was mentioned by 83 (63.4%) respondents, with only 9 (6.9%)mentioning the presence of airborne isolation. Supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) was inadequate as per 124 (94.7%) respondents. Critical care services for COVID-19 patients were possible only in hospitals of 42 (32.1%)respondents. RT-polymerase chain reaction could be performed only in the hospital of 6 (4.6%) respondents. CONCLUSIONS: It is apparent that most of the hospitals are not well prepared for management of patients with COVID-19. Resource allocation and policy making should be aimed to enhance national preparedness for the pandemic.

A Case Study of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome-Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (SJS-TEN) Overlap in Mycoplasma pneumoniae-Associated Tracheobronchitis.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a medical emergency which is characterized by skin and mucosal reaction to the use of certain drugs. Atypical Steven-Johnson syndrome can occur due to various microorganisms and Mycoplasma pneumoniae being one of them. We present a clinical course, diagnosis, and successful management of Steven-Johnson syndrome-toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS-TEN) overlap due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae in a 17-year-old Nepalese female. In the resource-limiting country and hospitals where serology and PCR for M. pneumoniae is not easily accessible, a simple bedside cold agglutination test can be done to increase the suspicion of infectious cause (most common M. pneumoniae ) of SJS-TEN overlap. M. pneumoniae infection should be considered in all cases of mucositis, especially in patients having preceding respiratory tract infections (tracheobronchitis).

Colistin and tigecycline for management of external ventricular device-related ventriculitis due to multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Acinetobacter baumannii is an important cause of nosocomial ventriculitis associated with external ventricular device (EVD). It is frequently multidrug resistant (MDR), carries a poor outcome, and is difficult to treat. We report a case of MDR Acinetobacter ventriculitis treated with intravenous and intraventricular colistin together with intravenous tigecycline. The patient developed nephrotoxicity and poor neurological outcome despite microbiological cure. Careful implementation of bundle of measures to minimize EVD-associated ventriculitis is valuable.

Successful lumbar puncture with Taylor's approach for the diagnostic workup of meningitis in a patient with Ankylosing spondylitis.

Meningitis and encephalitis are the neurological emergencies. As the clinical findings lack specificity, once suspected, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis should be performed and parenteral antimicrobials should be administered without delay. Lumbar puncture can be technically challenging in patients with ankylosing spondylitis due to ossification of ligaments and obliteration of interspinous spaces. Here, we present a case of ankylosing spondylitis where attempts for lumbar puncture by conventional approach failed. CSF sample was successfully obtained by Taylor's approach.