Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most significant threats to global health, compromising the effectiveness of antibiotics and increasing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Hospitals are major reservoirs for resistant pathogens due to high antimicrobial usage, vulnerable patient populations, and invasive medical procedures.

Objective

To evaluate antimicrobial resistance patterns among bacterial pathogens isolated from hospital settings and identify factors associated with the emergence and spread of resistant microorganisms.

Methods

A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted across six tertiary-care hospitals. A total of 2,000 clinical bacterial isolates were analyzed using standard microbiological and antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods. Demographic data, infection characteristics, antibiotic exposure history, and clinical outcomes were assessed.

Results

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) accounted for 41.5% of isolates. The highest resistance rates were observed among Acinetobacter baumannii (72%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (58%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (49%). Prior antibiotic exposure, prolonged hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and invasive device utilization were significantly associated with antimicrobial resistance.

Conclusion

Antimicrobial resistance remains a critical challenge in hospital settings. Comprehensive antimicrobial stewardship programs, infection prevention strategies, surveillance systems, and rapid diagnostic technologies are essential to mitigate the spread of resistant pathogens.