Lj. Strausbaugh et al., National shortages of antimicrobial agents: Results of 2 surveys from the Infectious Diseases Society of America Emerging Infections Network, CLIN INF D, 33(9), 2001, pp. 1495-1501
In November 1999 and August 2000, the Infectious Diseases Society of Americ
a Emerging Infections Network (EIN) surveyed its members about shortages of
antimicrobial agents in their hospitals and medical centers. Almost 90% of
the members had encountered shortages of 1 or more agents in 1999. Of 496
respondents, 382 (77%) reported diminished supplies of penicillin G. Other
agents in short supply included meropenem (38%), ticarcillin with or withou
t clavulanate (24%), cefazolin (20%), gentamicin (50%), and nafcillin-oxaci
llin (13%). In 2000, 291 (60%) of 485 respondents reported shortages of pen
icillin G, but significantly fewer members had experienced a lack of other
agents. In both surveys, members indicated that shortages had affected nume
rous therapeutic indications. In 1999, members estimated that shortages had
affected thousands of patients. In 2000, they estimated that fewer patient
s were affected. The results of these 2 EIN surveys raise questions about t
he forces that govern the availability of these valuable therapeutic resour
ces.