TRENDS IN CARBAPENEM RESISTANCE FROM 2018-2023 IN HOME HEALTH CARE: THE BOTTOM OF THE ICEBERG

Introduction: There has been a shift in the care of older patients from hospital settings to home healthcare. Older patients are more susceptible to infections, and infections associated with home healthcare are often understudied. This study aimed to investigate the changing trends in carbapenem resistance in these infections over time. Materials and Method: Microbiological data of home healthcare patients between 2018 and 2023 were analyzed using hospital records. Results: The rate of carbapenem resistance increased significantly from 4.17% to 19.53% between 2018 and 2023, particularly in Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas spp. Additionally, an increase in the number of respiratory and wound tissue samples was observed. Conclusion: Carbapenem resistance is a growing problem not only in hospitals but also in home healthcare settings. Effective infection prevention and control measures should be implemented, given the complexities of managing these infections, especially in geriatric populations.