What are antibiograms typically used for in hospitals?

Antibiograms are essential tools in healthcare settings, particularly in hospitals, for informing clinicians about local resistance patterns. They compile and summarize the susceptibility of various bacterial pathogens to different antibiotics collected over a specific time frame. This information is crucial for guiding empirical treatment choices, especially in situations where immediate decisions about antibiotic therapy are necessary.

When clinicians consider treatment options, they must take into account not only the type of infection a patient has but also the local microbiological landscape. Recognizing which bacteria are resistant to certain antibiotics allows healthcare professionals to select the most effective medication for their patients while minimizing the risk of treating with an ineffective antibiotic, which could lead to treatment failure and further resistance.

In contrast, options like tracking patient recovery rates, determining treatment costs, or reviewing historical data on antibiotic use do not directly reflect the primary purpose of antibiograms, which is focused on providing current, relevant data to support optimal antibiotic prescribing practices.