The clinical and economic benefits of administering piperacillin-tazobactam by continuous infusion

Abstract

Beta-lactam antibiotics, such as piperacillin-tazobactam, are commonly administered frequently throughout the day as intermittent infusions over a period of 30-60 min. However, increasing knowledge of how these antibiotics kill bacteria has made continuous infusion a valuable option to achieve maximal clinical outcomes while consuming the least amount of institutional resources. Continuous infusion of piperacillin-tazobactam is currently used at our hospital because of its clinical and economic benefits when compared with intermittent infusion. This article will review our experience with the administration of piperacillin-tazobactam by continuous infusion and the numerous advantages we have documented. Additionally, advantages related to a reduction in nursing resource consumption will be a focus of discussion.