Figure 4

Third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli and carbapenem use from 2001 to 2008. (a) Percentage of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GC) Escherichia coli. The pooled mean (solid line) and the median (dotted line) run almost parallel to one another. The sharp increase in 3CG-resistant E. coli starts in 2006 and affects almost all intensive care units (ICUs). The interquartile range (shaded area) shows that 50% of all ICUs had resistance proportions between 5 and 15% in 2008. (b) Carbapenem use. The pooled mean (solid line) and the median (dotted line) run almost parallel to one another. In most ICUs the increase in carbapenem use also starts in 2006. The interquartile range (shaded area) shows that carbapenem use in 50% of all ICUs ranged between 70 and 190 daily defined doses (DDD)/1,000 patient-days (pd) in 2008.