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Nosocomial Infections in ICU · Journal article
Antibiotics · September 9, 2026
Early or partial results. Treat as a signal, not a conclusion.
This is a descriptive cross-sectional survey documenting current practices and clinician beliefs about aerosolized antimicrobial therapy among infectious diseases and critical care specialists in Qatar. It reports frequencies of reported use, perceived indications, and clinician opinions on efficacy and safety, but provides no clinical outcomes, efficacy data, or evidence of benefit.
Multicenter cross-sectional survey. Infectious diseases and critical care clinicians (physicians and clinical pharmacists) at eight acute care hospitals in Qatar. Majority were physicians (70.5%); about one-third had >15 years work experience.. Intervention: Aerosolized antimicrobial therapy (gentamicin, colistin, and others) as reported in clinical practice. Eight acute care hospitals in Qatar.
97.7% of respondents had previously prescribed or recommended aerosolized antimicrobial agents 34.1% reported using aerosolized antimicrobials at least once every three months Ventilator-associated pneumonia (68.2%), cystic fibrosis (61.4%), and ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (34.1%) were reported indications
40.9% strongly agreed/agreed that aerosolized antimicrobial therapy improves clinical and microbial cure rates; 81.8% agreed it reduces systemic toxicity 79.5% of respondents reported bronchospasm as an adverse effect; 20.5% reported hypoxemia
This survey documents wide variation in clinician practices and beliefs about aerosolized antimicrobials but does not provide evidence that the therapy improves patient outcomes. Clinicians should not rely on these practice frequencies or perceptions to guide clinical decisions; rigorous comparative effectiveness and safety trials are needed to establish efficacy.
A descriptive cross-sectional survey of clinician practices and perceptions without outcome data, clinical endpoints, or evidence of efficacy; reports current use patterns and opinions rather than patient outcomes or intervention effects.
As stated by the source record.
Quoted from the source exactly as published.
This survey documents wide variation in clinician practices and beliefs about aerosolized antimicrobials but does not provide evidence that the therapy improves patient outcomes. Clinicians should not rely on these practice frequencies or perceptions to guide clinical decisions; rigorous comparative effectiveness and safety trials are needed to establish efficacy.
Graded across the dimensions that decide whether you should act, each from what the source actually supports. There is no single score, and where a dimension was not assessed it says so.
Background/Objectives: The prescription of aerosolized antimicrobial agents for lower respiratory tract infections varies significantly among clinicians. This study investigated the practices and perceptions of clinicians regarding aerosolized antimicrobial therapy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among infectious diseases (ID) and critical care clinicians (physicians and clinical pharmacists) in eight acute care hospitals in Qatar using a validated and pretested self-administered online questionnaire. Data was collected between September and October 2025, and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: The majority of the respondents were physicians (70.5%), and about one-third (31.8%) had more than 15 years of work experience. A vast majority (97.7%) had previously prescribed or recommended aerosolized antimicrobial agents. Some respondents (34.1%) reported using aerosolized antimicrobial agents at least once every three months. The indications for aerosolized antimicrobial prescribing were for the treatment of bacterial infections (86.4%) and prophylaxis against bacterial infections (38.6%). Aerosolized antimicrobials were used for the treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia (68.2%), cystic fibrosis (61.4%) and ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (34.1%). Gentamicin (88.6%) and colistin (72.7%) were the most frequently used aerosolized antimicrobial agents. The majority (88.6%) of the respondents combined aerosolized antimicrobial agents with systemic antimicrobial agents, 65.9% of whom combined different antimicrobials for aerosolized and systemic routes. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (97.7%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (56.8%) were the most common microorganisms treated with aerosolized antimicrobial agents. Most respondents (61.4%) did not provide pre-treatment prior to aerosolized antimicrobial therapy. However, 38.6% used bronchodilators for pre-treatment. Bronchospasm (79.5%) and hypoxemia (20.5%) were the adverse effects reported by the respondents. Some respondents (40.9%) strongly agreed/agreed that aerosolized antimicrobial therapy improves clinical and microbial cure rates. While 81.8% strongly agreed/agreed that aerosolized antimicrobial therapy reduces systemic toxicity. Practices and perceptions varied significantly between ID and critical care specialties, and between physicians and pharmacists. Conclusions: Clinicians need training on aerosolized antimicrobial therapy for lower respiratory tract infections. Immunosuppression, renal function and infections due to multidrug-resistant organisms were reported by clinicians as factors that influenced their decision to use aerosolized antimicrobial therapy. A protocol for the administration of aerosolized antimicrobial therapy is recommended.
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