ObjectiveTo  realize detection, antimicrobial resistance, and ward distribution of imipenemresistant Acinetobacter baumannii (IRAB ) from sputum.MethodsAB strains isolated from sputum specimens in a hospital between January 1, 2009 and  September 30, 2013 were analyzed retrospectively.  Ward distribution, antimicrobial resistance, and isolation rates  between  IRAB and nonIRAB strains were compared.Results711 AB strains were isolated from sputum, 442 of which were IRAB, 269 were nonIRAB.AB were mainly distributed in intensive care unit(ICU, 39.10%) and neurology department (25.18%) ; detection rate of IRAB was  significantly higher than nonIRAB in ICU (57.47%［n=254］ vs  8.92%［n=24］,χ2=165.50,P＜0.05)， detection rate of IRAB in ICU was significantly higher than nonICU (91.37% vs 43.42%, χ2=257.29,P＜0.05). Detection rates of IRAB in 2009-2013 increased continuously (25.30%， 36.36%， 74.68%， 65.56%, and 90.07%, respectively). The resistant rate of IRAB to amikacin was low (27.25%)， resistant rates of nonIRAB to amikacin and piperacillin /tazobactam were both low (7.31% and 8.24% respectively);except compound sulfamethoxazole， resistant rates of IRAB to other antimicrobial agents were all significantly higher than nonIRAB strains (all P＜0.05).ConclusionThe detection rate and drug resistant rate of IRAB from sputum are both high,  early culture， early treatment，and early isolation should be carried out to reduce the emergence of multidrugresistant organisms.