UK clinicians’ attitudes towards the application of molecular diagnostics to guide antibiotic use in ICU patients with pneumonias: a quantitative study

Abstract Background Molecular diagnostic tests may improve antibiotic prescribing by enabling earlier tailoring of antimicrobial therapy. However, clinicians’ trust and acceptance of these tests will determine their application in practice. Objectives To examine ICU prescribers’ views on the application of molecular diagnostics in patients with suspected hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia (HAP/VAP). Methods Sixty-three ICU clinicians from five UK hospitals completed a cross-sectional questionnaire between May 2020 and July 2020 assessing attitudes towards using molecular diagnostics to inform initial agent choice and to help stop broad-spectrum antibiotics early. Results Attitudes towards using molecular diagnostics to inform initial treatment choices and to stop broad-spectrum antibiotics early were nuanced. Most (83%) were positive about molecular diagnostics, agreeing that using results to inform broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing is good practice. However, many (58%) believed sick patients are often too unstable to risk stopping broad-spectrum antibiotics based on a negative result. Conclusions Positive attitudes towards the application of molecular diagnostics to improve antibiotic stewardship were juxtapositioned against the perceived need to initiate and maintain broad-spectrum antibiotics to protect unstable patients.