Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) patterns among patients admitted in Tertiary Care Hospital of South Punjab, Pakistan

AMR is among the major public health threats and mainly occurs in tertiary care setups. The aim of the current study was to assess the prevalence and susceptibility pattern of WHO AWARE (Access, Watch, and Reserve) antibiotics among the patients admitted to Bahawalpur Victoria Hospital and Combined Military Hospital Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Samples were collected from urine, pus, and blood over a period of three months and submitted to Gram staining and biochemical testing for the identification of key pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter spp., and Candida spp. E. coli was the most common pathogen across all sample types, showing more than 50% resistance to multiple antimicrobials. Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas spp. were also highly resistant, being the second most common pathogens. The susceptibility analysis showed that isolates from urine, pus, and blood cultures showed susceptibility rates of 29%, 64%, and 36%, respectively, to antibiotics in the Watch group. In the Access group, chloramphenicol, piperacillin, amikacin, and nitrofurantoin had high susceptibility rates of 70–85%. However, in the Watch group, antibiotics such as erythromycin, vancomycin, imipenem, and clarithromycin had moderate susceptibility at 50–75%. This study highlights the critical need for antimicrobial stewardship and enhanced surveillance programs to address the growing prevalence of AMR in tertiary care hospitals. Establishing evidence-based antibiotic prescription protocols, informed by local resistance patterns and epidemiological data, is essential to optimize antibiotic use and minimize resistance. These interventions are vital for preserving the efficacy of antibiotics and mitigating the global AMR crisis.