1126. Variability in Antibiotic Use in Children’s Hospitals in the United States

Abstract Background Understanding patterns of inpatient antibiotic use is necessary to enhance appropriate use and minimize preventable harm at hospitals. Few studies have characterized antibiotic use in the inpatient setting in children. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in children admitted to 51 freestanding US children’s hospitals included in the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS). Overall and broad-spectrum antibiotic use (see Table) were measured using charge data, and prevalence of use was assessed on a single day of each 2017–2018 season over one year. Comparisons were made based on clinical setting (medical vs. surgical), clinical unit (PICU, NICU, and all others), hospital, and region. We assessed the relationship between antibiotic use and median hospital case-mix index (CMI), a surrogate for clinical complexity. Results Of 52769 hospitalized children assessed on a study day, 19174 (36%) received antibiotics, and 6575 (12%) received broad-spectrum antibiotics (table). Overall antibiotic use prevalence varied across hospitals from 22% to 52% (Figure 1). Median hospital CMI had no significant relationship with overall antibiotic use and only a weak correlation (ρ=0.29) with broad-spectrum antibiotic use (Figure 2). Antibiotic use prevalence varied minimally by season, ranging from 36% in fall to 37% in summer. Antibiotic use prevalence was 29% (9470/32436) among medical patients and 48% (9704/20333) among surgical patients. The antibiotics most commonly administered in medical patients were ceftriaxone and ampicillin, while surgical patients most commonly received cefazolin and vancomycin. Regional prevalence ranged from 33% (Midwest) to 40% (West). By unit, PICU patients had the highest prevalence of overall [58% (4006/6874)] and broad-spectrum [27% (1830/6874)] antibiotic use. Children with complex chronic conditions accounted for 63% of hospitalized children but represented 72% of children receiving any antibiotic and 85% of those receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics. Conclusion We observed large and apparently unexplained variability in antibiotic use prevalence among children’s hospitals, clinical settings, and regions. This indicates potential opportunities for enhanced antibiotic stewardship activities. Disclosures Ritu Banerjee, MD, PhD, Accelerate Diagnostics: Grant/Research Support; BioFire: Research Grant; Biomerieux: Research Grant; Roche: Research Grant