Screening of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms and Risk Factor Analysis in the Intensive Care Units from a Tertiary Care Center

Objectives: MDROs are defined as bacteria that are resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics, rendering standard treatment options ineffective. Methods:  A prospective study was conducted at Panimalar Medical College Hospital and Research Institute in the Intensive Care Units (MICU, SICU, ICCU and Neuro ICU) during November 2023. Patients aged over 18 years admitted to the ICU were included, while inpatients below 18 years, those from wards and outpatients were excluded.  Results: The results showed that, among 123 ICU patients, 34 (27.6%) were culture-positive for Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs), while 89 (72.4%) were culture-negative. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli were the predominant organisms, particularly among elderly females and patients with multiple risk factors, highlighting the importance of effective infection-control measures and appropriate antimicrobial management in the ICU. Conclusion: The study found that MDROs were common among ICU patients, especially in elderly females and those with multiple risk factors like prior antibiotic use, prolonged ICU stays and comorbidities. These findings highlight the need for better infection control, proper antibiotic use and focused care for high-risk patients to reduce MDROs in ICUs.