Early switch from intravenous to oral antibiotics and early hospital discharge: a prospective observational study of 200 consecutive patients with community-acquired pneumonia

Adherence with national guidelines in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia: results from the CAPO study in Venezuela

INTRODUCTION

The Community-Acquired Pneumonia Organization (CAPO) is an international observational study in 130 hospitals, with a total of 31 countries, to assess the current management of hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). 2 Using the centralized database of CAPO was decided to conduct this study with the aim of evaluate the level of adherence with national guidelines in Venezuela, to define in which areas an intervention may be necessary to improve the quality of care of hospitalized patients with CAP.

METHODS

In this observational retrospective study quality indicators were used to evaluate the management of hospitalized patients with CAP in 8 Venezuelan's centers. The care of the patients was evaluated in the areas of: hospitalization, oxygen therapy, empiric antibiotic therapy, switch therapy, etiological studies, blood cultures indication, and prevention. The compliance was rated as good (>90%), intermediate (60% to 90%), or low (<60%).

RESULTS

A total of 454 patients with CAP were enrolled. The empiric treatment administered within 8 hours of the patient arrival to the hospital was good (96%), but the rest of the indicators showed a low level of adherence (<60%).

CONCLUSION

We can say that there are many areas in the management of CAP in Venezuela that are not performed according to the national guidelines of SOVETHORAX.1 In any quality improvement process the first step is to evaluate the difference between what is recommended and what is done in clinical practice. While this study meets this first step, the challenge for the future is to implement the processes necessary to improve the management of CAP in Venezuela.

Antibiotic intravenous-to-oral switch guidelines: barriers to adherence and possible solutions

Objectives

To identify reasons for poor adherence to antibiotic intravenous-to-oral switch guidelines and to explore the possible solutions. To rate the importance of the barriers and solutions identified, as perceived by a multidisciplinary expert panel.

Methods

Three-round Delphi study in an expert panel comprising doctors, nurses and pharmacists, with concurrent semi-structured interviews.

Key findings

The three rounds of the Delphi were completed by 13 out of the 30 healthcare professionals invited to participate. No nurses were included in the final round. Consensus was achieved for 28 out of 35 statements, with the most important barrier being that of inappropriate antibiotic review at the weekend, and the most important solution being to raise guideline awareness. The findings from the seven interviews (three doctors, two pharmacists and two nurses) complemented those from the Delphi study, although they provided more specific suggestions on how to improve the adherence to guidelines.

Conclusion

This study, using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, has identified several barriers to explore further and offered many practical solutions to improve practice. The importance of a multidisciplinary approach to address guideline non-adherence was emphasised. Clinical guidelines must be well publicised and well written to prevent a feeling of guideline saturation in the healthcare populous. Novel approaches may have to be investigated in order to further encourage adherence with antibiotic intravenous-to-oral switch guidelines.

What is the role of antimicrobial stewardship in improving outcomes of patients with CAP?

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most common infectious diagnoses encountered in clinical practice and one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Adherence to antibiotic treatment guidelines is inconsistent and the erroneous diagnosis of CAP and misuse of antibiotics is prevalent in both inpatients and outpatients. This review summarizes interventions that may be promoted by antimicrobial stewardship programs to improve outcomes for patients with CAP.

Early switch therapy from intravenous sulbactam/ampicillin to oral garenoxacin in patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a multicenter, randomized study in Japan

The switch from intravenous to oral antibiotic therapy is recommended for treating hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We performed a multicenter, randomized study to assess the benefit of switching from intravenous sulbactam/ampicillin (SBT/ABPC) to oral garenoxacin (GRNX) in patients with CAP. Among adult CAP patients who must be hospitalized for intravenous antibiotic treatment, those with Pneumonia Patient Outcomes Research Team (PORT) scores of II-IV (mild to moderate) were initially treated with intravenous SBT/ABPC (6 g/day) for 3 days. A total of 108 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria (improved respiratory symptoms, CRP < 15 mg/dl, adequately improved oral intake, fever ≤ 38 °C for ≥ 12 h), were divided into two groups based on the antibiotic administered, the GRNX (switch to GRNX 400 mg/day) and SBT/ABPC groups (continuous administration of SBT/ABPC), for 4 days. Improvement in clinical symptoms, chest radiographic findings, and clinical effectiveness were evaluated by a central review board. Improvement in clinical symptoms was 96.3 and 90.2% in the GRNX and SBT/ABPC groups, respectively. Improvement in chest radiographic findings was 94.4 and 90.2% and clinical effectiveness was 94.4 and 90.2% in the GRNX and SBT/ABPC groups, respectively. Microbiological efficacy was 90.9 and 69.2% in the GRNX and SBT/ABPC groups, respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups. Converting to GRNX was as effective as continuous SBT/ABPC treatment in mild to moderate CAP patients in whom initial intravenous antibiotic treatment was successful.

Determining the duration of therapy for patients with community-acquired pneumonia

Emerging data, including results from two systematic reviews, suggest that with appropriate antimicrobial selection, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) can be successfully treated in less than 7 days, rather than the 7-14 days frequently utilized. Shorter course therapy has the potential not only to improve efficacy, safety, and compliance, but also to minimize the evolution of resistance. Utilization of procalcitonin as a biomarker in CAP can appropriately influence the duration of therapy without affecting mortality and cure rates. CAP treatment duration can further be reduced successfully into the clinical setting with the assistance of an antibiotic stewardship team.

Tigecycline versus levofloxacin in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia: an analysis of risk factors

INTRODUCTION

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of tigecycline (TGC) versus levofloxacin (LEV) in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) using pooled data and to perform exploratory analyses of risk factors associated with poor outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

Pooled analyses of 2 phase 3 studies in patients randomized to intravenous (IV) TGC (100 mg, then 50 mg q12h) or IV LEV (500 mg q24h or q12h). Clinical responses at test of cure visit for the clinically evaluable (CE) and clinical modified intention to treat populations were assessed for patients with risk factors including aged ≥65 years, prior antibiotic failure, bacteremia, multilobar disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, alcohol abuse, altered mental status, hypoxemia, renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, white blood cell count >30 x 10(9)/L or <4 x 10(9)/L, CURB-65 score ≥2, Fine score category of III to V and at least 2 clinical instability criteria on physical examination.

RESULTS

In the CE population of 574 patients, overall cure rates were similar: TGC (253/282, 89.7%); LEV (252/292, 86.3%). For all but one risk factor, cure rates for TGC were similar to or higher than those for LEV. For individual risk factors, the greatest difference between treatment groups was observed in patients with diabetes mellitus (difference of 22.9 for TGC versus LEV; 95% confidence interval, 4.8 - 39.9).

CONCLUSIONS

TGC achieved cure rates similar to those of LEV in hospitalized patients with CAP. For patients with risk factors, TGC provided generally favorable clinical outcomes.

Targets for antibiotic and healthcare resource stewardship in inpatient community-acquired pneumonia: a comparison of management practices with National Guideline Recommendations

PURPOSE

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the most common infection leading to hospitalization in the USA. The objective of this study was to evaluate management practices for inpatient CAP in relation to Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society (IDSA/ATS) guidelines to identify opportunities for antibiotic and health care resource stewardship.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of adults hospitalized for CAP at a single institution from 15 April 2008 to 31 May 2009.

RESULTS

Of the 209 patients with CAP who presented to Denver Health Medical Center during the study period and were hospitalized, 166 (79 %) and 43 (21 %) were admitted to a medical ward and the intensive care unit (ICU), respectively. Sixty-one (29 %) patients were candidates for outpatient therapy per IDSA/ATS guidance with a CURB-65 score of 0 or 1 and absence of hypoxemia. Sputum cultures were ordered for 110 specimens; however, an evaluable sample was obtained in only 49 (45 %) cases. Median time from antibiotic initiation to specimen collection was 11 [interquartile range (IQR) 6-19] h, and a potential pathogen was identified in only 18 (16 %) cultures. Blood cultures were routinely obtained for both non-ICU (81 %) and ICU (95 %) cases, but 15 of 36 (42 %) positive cultures were false-positive results. The most common antibiotic regimen was ceftriaxone + azithromycin (182, 87 % cases). Discordant with IDSA/ATS recommendations, oral step-down therapy consisted of a new antibiotic class in 120 (66 %), most commonly levofloxacin (101, 55 %). Treatment durations were typically longer than suggested with a median of 10 (IQR 8-12) days.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort of patients hospitalized for CAP, management was frequently inconsistent with IDSA/ATS guideline recommendations, revealing potential targets to reduce unnecessary antibiotic and healthcare resource utilization.

Switch therapy in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia: tigecycline vs. levofloxacin

Background

Switch therapy is a management approach combining early discontinuation of intravenous (IV) antibiotics, switch to oral antibiotics, and early hospital discharge. This analysis compares switch therapy using tigecycline versus levofloxacin in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Methods

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, Phase 3 clinical trial; patients were randomized to IV tigecycline (100 mg, then 50 mg q12h) or IV levofloxacin (500 mg q24h). Objective criteria were used to define time to switch therapy; patients were switched to oral levofloxacin after ≥6 IV doses if criteria met. Switch therapy outcomes were assessed within the clinically evaluable (CE) population.

Results

In the CE population, 138 patients were treated with IV tigecycline and 156 were treated with IV levofloxacin. The proportion of the population that met switch therapy criteria was 67.4% (93/138) for tigecycline and 66.7% (104/156) for levofloxacin. The proportion that actually switched to oral therapy was 89.9% (124/138) for tigecycline and 87.8% (137/156) for levofloxacin. Median time to actual switch therapy was 5.0 days each for tigecycline and levofloxacin. Clinical cure rates for patients who switched were 96.8% for tigecycline and 95.6% for levofloxacin. Corresponding cure rates for those that met switch criteria were 95.7% for tigecycline and 92.3% for levofloxacin.

Conclusions

Switch therapy outcomes in hospitalized patients with CAP receiving initial IV therapy with tigecycline are comparable to those of patients receiving initial IV therapy with levofloxacin. These data support the use of IV tigecycline in hospitalized patients with CAP when the switch therapy approach is considered.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier

NCT00081575

D-dimer levels in assessing severity and clinical outcome in patients with community-acquired pneumonia. A secondary analysis of a randomised clinical trial

BACKGROUND

D-dimer levels are in several studies elevated in patients with CAP. In this study we assess the use of D-dimer levels and its association with severity assessment and clinical outcome in patients hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia.

METHODS

In a subset of randomised trial patients with community-acquired pneumonia serial D-dimer levels was analysed. CURB-65 scores were calculated at admission.

RESULTS

A total of 147 patients were included. D-dimer levels at admission were higher in patients with severe CAP (2166 ± 1258 versus 1630 ± 1197 μg/l, p=0.03), with clinical failure at day 30 (2228 ± 1512 versus 1594 ± 1078 μg/l, p=0.02) and with early failure (2499 ± 1817 μg/l versus 1669 ± 1121 μg/l, p=0.01). Non-survivors had higher D-dimer levels (3025 ± 2105 versus 1680 ± 1128 μg/l, p=0.05). None of the 16 patients with D-dimer levels<500 μg/l died. In multivariate analysis D-dimer levels were not associated with clinical outcome. D-dimer levels have poor accuracy for predicting clinical outcome at day 30 (AUC 0.62, 95% CI 0.51-0.73) or 30 day mortality (AUC 0.71 (95% CI 0.51-0.91)). Addition of D-dimer levels to CURB-65 did not increase accuracy. No differences were observed in serial D-dimer levels between patients with clinical success or failure at day 30.

CONCLUSION

D-dimer levels are elevated in patients with CAP. Significantly higher D-dimer levels are found in patients with clinical failure and with severe CAP. D-dimer levels as single biomarker or as addition to the CURB-65 have no added value for predicting clinical outcome or mortality. D-dimer levels<500 μg/l may identify candidates at low risk for complications.

Modern Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Is It Cost-Effective and are Outcomes Acceptable?

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the most important cause of death from infectious diseases in the developed world and is associated with a high economic burden. Researchers have therefore sought ways to improve CAP outcomes while reducing costs. In this review, we highlight the current evidence supporting modern approaches to CAP management, including the use of severity indices to safely increase the proportion of patients treated at home, the use of procalcitonin to decrease antibiotic use, early intravenous to oral switch of antibiotic therapy, streamlining antimicrobials, and approaches to shorten antibiotic treatment duration. Although promising evidence exists for these modern strategies, there is still a considerable lack of high-quality evidence proving noninferiority of clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

Should management of pneumonia be an indicator of quality of care?

Many regulatory bodies and payers measure the quality of care provided to patients admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. Some pneumonia quality measures were not based on high-level evidence, and there is also concern that public reporting of performance could drive excessive use of diagnostic testing and antibiotic treatment. There have been significant increases in the performance rate of several process of care recommended for patients hospitalized with pneumonia, accompanied by a decrease in 30-day mortality. To maximize the potential for improved patient outcomes, physicians and regulators must remain vigilant to detect unintended negative consequences related to performance measurement.

Application of antimicrobial stewardship to optimise management of community acquired pneumonia

The aim of this study was to review the application of antimicrobial stewardship principles to the management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Data from 14 published clinical studies, meta-analyses and practice guidelines regarding the application of antimicrobial stewardship strategies to the management of CAP were identified and analysed. In the context of CAP, application of stewardship strategies (alone or in combination) has been shown to increase physician awareness of guidelines, improve appropriate antimicrobial use and reduce unnecessary antimicrobial prescribing. In addition, application has had a profound favourable impact on patient outcomes, including decreased 30-day mortality and in-hospital mortality rates, reduced length of hospital stay, reduced treatment failure rates and reduced healthcare costs. Antimicrobial stewardship programmes have been demonstrated to successfully increase the level of appropriate antibiotic prescribing, reduce pathogen resistance and improve clinical outcomes in the management of CAP within hospitals. Studies have also shown that adherence to evidence-based guidelines, even at the level of the individual clinician, can have a profound and positive impact on patient outcomes and healthcare costs. Adherence to evidence-based guidelines can have a profound and positive impact on patient outcomes and healthcare costs.

Changing needs of community-acquired pneumonia

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a serious condition associated with significant morbidity and potential long-term mortality. Although the majority of patients with CAP are treated as outpatients, the greatest proportion of pneumonia-related mortality and healthcare expenditure occurs among the patients who are hospitalized. There has been considerable interest in determining risk factors and severity criteria assessments to assist with site-of-care decisions. For both inpatients and outpatients, the most common pathogens associated with CAP include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, group A streptococci and Moraxella catarrhalis. Atypical pathogens, Gram-negative bacilli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and viruses are also recognized aetiological agents of CAP. Despite the availability of antimicrobial therapies, the recent emergence of drug-resistant pneumococcal and staphylococcal isolates has limited the effectiveness of currently available agents. Because early and rapid initiation of empirical antimicrobial treatment is critical for achieving a favourable outcome in CAP, newer agents with activity against drug-resistant strains of S. pneumoniae and MRSA are needed for the management of patients with CAP.

Association between time to clinical stability and outcomes after discharge in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia

BACKGROUND

Adverse outcomes after discharge in patients hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) might be associated with the inflammatory response during hospitalization, recognized by the length of time needed for the patient to reach clinical stability (time to clinical stability [TCS]). The objective of this study was to assess the association between TCS and outcomes after discharge in hospitalized patients with CAP.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients discharged alive after an episode of CAP was conducted at the Veterans Hospital of Louisville, Kentucky, between 2001 and 2006.

RESULTS

Among the 464 patients enrolled in the study, 82 (18%) experienced an adverse outcome within 30 days after discharge, leading to either readmission or death. Patients with a TCS > 3 days showed a significantly higher rate of adverse outcomes after discharge compared with those with a TCS ≤ 3 days (26% vs 15%, respectively; OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.19-3.3; P = .008) as well as adverse outcomes after discharge related to pneumonia (16% vs 4.6%, respectively; OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 2-8.2; P < .001). The propensity-adjusted analysis showed that delay in reaching TCS during hospitalization was associated with a significant increased risk of adverse outcomes. Adjusted ORs comparing patients who reached TCS at days 2, 3, 4, and 5 to those who reached TCS at day 1 were 1.06, 1.54, 2.40, and 10.53, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CAP who experienced a delay in reaching clinical stability during hospitalization are at high risk of adverse outcomes after discharge and should receive close observation and an early follow-up.

Bacteraemic pneumococcal pneumonia: current therapeutic options

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the major bacterial cause of pneumonia, meningitis and otitis media, and continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality in individuals both in the developed and developing world. Management of these infections is potentially complicated by the emergence of resistance of this pathogen to many of the commonly used first-line antimicrobial agents. A number of significant risk factors exist that predispose to the occurrence of pneumococcal pneumonia, including lifestyle factors, such as exposure to cigarette smoke, as well as underlying medical conditions, such as HIV infection. Several of these predisposing factors also enhance the risk of bacteraemia. The initial step in the pathogenesis of pneumococcal infections is the occurrence of nasopharyngeal colonization, which may be followed by invasive disease. The pneumococcus has a myriad of virulence factors that contribute to these processes, including a polysaccharide capsule, various cell surface structures, toxins and adhesins, and the microorganism is also an effective producer of biofilm. Antibacterial resistance is emerging in this microorganism and affects all the various classes of drugs, including the β-lactams, the macrolides and the fluoroquinolones. Even multidrug resistance is occurring. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters allow us to understand the relationship between the presence of antibacterial resistance in the pneumococcus and the outcome of pneumococcal infections treated with the different antibacterial classes. Furthermore, these parameters also allow us to predict which antibacterials are most likely to be effective in the management of pneumococcal infections and the correct dosages to use. Most guidelines for the management of community-acquired pneumonia recommend the use of either a β-lactam/macrolide combination or fluoroquinolone monotherapy for the empirical therapy of more severe hospitalized cases with pneumonia, including the subset of cases with pneumococcal bacteraemia. There are a number of adjunctive therapies that have been studied for use in combination with standard antibacterial therapy, in an attempt to decrease the high mortality, of which macrolides in particular, corticosteroids and cyclic adenosine monophosphate-elevating agents appear potentially most useful.

Design of clinical trials of antibacterial agents for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia

Standards for the conduct of clinical trials of antibacterial agents for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) have changed dramatically in recent years. A draft guidance from the US FDA on the conduct of such trials was issued in March 2009. However, the guidance has already faced substantial criticism during the open public comment period, resulting in uncertainty regarding the appropriate design of such studies from a regulatory perspective. Controversies regarding the magnitude of the treatment effect associated with antibacterial therapy versus placebo/no therapy, the appropriate timing, nature and noninferiority margin for the primary efficacy end point, and other clinical and statistical issues have complicated efforts to reach consensus on appropriate trial design of antibacterial therapy for CABP. It is critical that studies of new drugs for CABP are designed to ensure that they are feasible to conduct and that their results are scientifically valid, statistically rigorous and clinically meaningful. Based on 3 years of active dialog between clinical, statistical, and regulatory experts, this article proposes an approach to enable a balance of clinical trial feasibility with appropriate scientific, statistical and clinical rigor.

C-reactive protein for discriminating treatment failure from slow responding pneumonia

BACKGROUND

The management of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) who fail to improve constitutes a challenge for clinicians. This study investigated the usefulness of C-reactive protein (CRP) changes in discriminating true treatment failure from slow response to treatment.

METHODS

This prospective multicenter observational study investigated the behavior of plasma CRP levels on days 1 and 4 in hospitalized patients with CAP. We identified non-responding patients as those who had not reached clinical stability by day 4. Among them, true treatment failure and slow response situations were defined when initial therapy had to be changed or not after day 4 by attending clinicians, respectively.

RESULTS

By day 4, 78 (27.4%) out of 285 patients had not reached clinical stability. Among them, 56 (71.8%) patients were cured without changes in initial therapy (mortality 0.0%), and in 22 (28.2%) patients, the initial empirical therapy needed to be changed (mortality 40.9%). By day 4, CRP levels fell in 52 (92.9%) slow responding and only in 7 (31.8%) late treatment failure patients (p<0.001). A model developed including CRP behavior and respiratory rate at day 4 identified treatment failure patients with an area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve of 0.87 (CI 95%, 0.78-0.96).

CONCLUSION

Changes in CRP levels are useful to discriminate between true treatment failure and slow response to treatment and can help clinicians in management decisions when CAP patients fail to improve.

Comparison of adverse events between oral and intravenous formulations of antimicrobial agents: a systematic review of the evidence from randomized trials

BACKGROUND

Some clinicians may favor a strategy of early switch to oral antimicrobial therapy for patients responding to initial intravenous therapy. An important relevant consideration refers to the comparative safety and tolerability between oral and intravenous antimicrobial therapy. LITERATURE SEARCH/STUDY SELECTION: We sought to evaluate the above-mentioned issue by performing a systematic review of randomized studies comparing the occurrence of adverse events between oral and intravenous antimicrobial therapy with the same agents.

FINDINGS

Ten relevant studies (five randomized controlled trials, three randomized cross-over studies, and two randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-design studies) were included. Seven of the studies evaluated antibacterials (fluoroquinolones in four, and telithromycin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and linezolid in one study each, respectively), whereas two studies evaluated ganciclovir, and one evaluated isavuconazole. No difference was observed in the rate of total adverse events between oral and intravenous administration of the same antimicrobial agents in any of the included studies that reported specific relevant data. Injection site reactions were noted more frequently with intravenous treatment in one study. No serious drug-related adverse events were reported, while study withdrawals due to adverse events did not considerably differ between the compared groups in any of the included studies.

CONCLUSION

There are only limited comparative data regarding the adverse events associated with the administration of the same antimicrobial agents by the oral and intravenous route. Our review indicates that the adverse event profile of oral and intravenous antimicrobial therapy does not differ considerably; however, this issue requires validation by further studies.

Health Care-Associated Infection Prevention and Control: Pharmacists' Role in Meeting National Patient Safety Goal 7

Health care-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance are continually increasing, with fewer drugs available for effective treatment. Potential benefits of infection control and antimicrobial stewardship programs include improvements in antibiotic use and conversion from intravenous (IV) to oral antibiotics and reductions in resistance and infection rates and length of hospital stay. NorthShore University HealthSystem in Evanston, Illinois, was the first large hospital system in North America that adopted universal inpatient surveillance for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Results showed that nasal MRSA was a powerful predictor of MRSA disease and antibiotic resistance in other organisms. MRSA infections occurring up to 30 days posthospitalization decreased by approximately 70%. At the Hospital of Saint Raphael, a community teaching hospital in New Haven, Connecticut, an antimicrobial stewardship pilot program focused on automatic conversation from IV to oral antimicrobials and appropriate antimicrobial use. The percentage of patients receiving oral fluconazole increased from 63% to 77%; the percentage of those receiving oral linezolid increased from 54% to 71%. Total antibiotic use decreased by 6%. Based on the 60-day trial, potential cost savings were estimated as $874,000 annually, less the cost of a pharmacist's salary and benefits. Infection control and antimicrobial stewardship programs offer pharmacists new opportunities for helping improve patient safety and quality of care. Pharmacy-medical staff partnership, combined with support from microbiology, infection control, information technology, and hospital administration, is key to a successful program.

Outcomes of early switching from intravenous to oral antibiotics on medical wards

Objectives

To evaluate outcomes following implementation of a checklist with criteria for switching from intravenous (iv) to oral antibiotics on unselected patients on two general medical wards.

Methods

During a 12 month intervention study, a printed checklist of criteria for switching on the third day of iv treatment was placed in the medical charts. The decision to switch was left to the discretion of the attending physician. Outcome parameters of a 4 month control phase before intervention were compared with the equivalent 4 month period during the intervention phase to control for seasonal confounding (before–after study; April to July of 2006 and 2007, respectively): 250 episodes (215 patients) during the intervention period were compared with the control group of 176 episodes (162 patients). The main outcome measure was the duration of iv therapy. Additionally, safety, adherence to the checklist, reasons against switching patients and antibiotic cost were analysed during the whole year of the intervention (n = 698 episodes).

Results

In 38% (246/646) of episodes of continued iv antibiotic therapy, patients met all criteria for switching to oral antibiotics on the third day, and 151/246 (61.4%) were switched. The number of days of iv antibiotic treatment were reduced by 19% (95% confidence interval 9%–29%, P = 0.001; 6.0–5.0 days in median) with no increase in complications. The main reasons against switching were persisting fever (41%, n = 187) and absence of clinical improvement (41%, n = 185).

Conclusions

On general medical wards, a checklist with bedside criteria for switching to oral antibiotics can shorten the duration of iv therapy without any negative effect on treatment outcome. The criteria were successfully applied to all patients on the wards, independently of the indication (empirical or directed treatment), the type of (presumed) infection, the underlying disease or the group of antibiotics being used.

Economic Impact of Implementing Pneumonia Treatment Guidelines for Intravenous to Oral Conversion

Background

Inpatient treatment of pneumonia produces significant costs to the health care system. In an effort to improve quality of care, decrease length of stay, and decrease drug costs associated with treating pneumonia, on October 1, 2006, the Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System (VANYHHS) implemented guidelines for treating hospitalized patients with pneumonia. These guidelines included specific criteria for initial selection of an antimicrobial agent based on patient risk factors, conversion from intravenous (IV) to oral antibiotics, and selection of an appropriate oral agent for conversion. The primary objective of this study was assessment of the economic impact of implementing pneumonia treatment guidelines at the VANYHHS.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 100 patients admitted to the VANYHHS for treatment of pneumonia was completed before implementation of the guidelines, and then those data were compared with similar data from a group of 100 patients admitted to the hospital for treatment of pneumonia after implementation of the guidelines. Electronic medical records were reviewed for (1) initial antibiotic therapy administered, (2) time needed for conversion from IV to oral antibiotics after becoming eligible for the switch based on implemented guidelines, and (3) length of hospital stay.

Results

Data from the preguideline group demonstrated that it took an additional 2.31 days to convert patients from IV to oral antibiotics after they were eligible for the switch to oral therapy. The mean length of stay was 9.2 days. Data from the postguideline group illustrated that the time needed to convert patients from IV to oral therapy was decreased to 1.09 days ( P = 0.002) and the mean length of stay was decreased to 8.76 days ( P = 0.677) when compared with the preguideline group data. The estimated annual cost savings from implementing pneumonia treatment guidelines based on the decrease in mean length of stay was $290,482.20 annually.

Conclusion

Implementing pneumonia treatment guidelines was associated with decreased length of stay and, thus, a decrease in the costs associated with treating pneumonia in an institutional setting. It is estimated that the VANYHHS could save nearly $300,000 annually as a result of the implementation of the treatment guidelines for pneumonia.

Declining length of hospital stay for pneumonia and postdischarge outcomes

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to assess 8-year trends in the duration of hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia and to evaluate the impact of declining length of stay on postdischarge short-term readmission and mortality.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective observational cohort study of 1886 patients with community-acquired pneumonia who were discharged from a single hospital between March 1, 2000, and June 30, 2007. The main outcomes measured were all-cause mortality and hospital readmission during the 30-day period after discharge. Regression models were used to identify risk factors associated with hospital length of stay and the adjusted associations between length of stay and mortality and readmission.

RESULTS

Factors associated with a longer hospital stay included the number of comorbid conditions, high risk classification on the Pneumonia Severity Index, bilateral or multilobe radiographic involvement, and treatment failure. Patients treated with an appropriate antibiotic were less likely to have an increased length of stay. The mean length of stay was significantly shorter during the 2006 to 2007 period (3.6 days) than during the 2000 to 2001 period (5.6 days, P<.001). Despite the reduction in length of stay, there were no significant differences in the likelihood of death or readmission at 30 days between the 2 time periods. Adjusted multivariate analysis showed that patients with hospital stays less than 3 days did not have significant increases in postdischarge outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The marked decreased in the length of stay for patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia since 2000 has not been accompanied by an increase in short-term mortality or hospital readmission.

Acute myocardial infarction in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia

BACKGROUND

An epidemiological link between respiratory infection and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been suggested, and recent data indicate that there is an association between AMI and pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in hospitalized patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of AMI with the severity of pneumonia at hospitalization and clinical failure during hospitalization among patients with CAP.

METHODS

An observational, retrospective study involving consecutive patients hospitalized with CAP was performed at the Veterans Hospital of Louisville, Kentucky. Patients admitted to the intensive care unit were defined as having severe CAP. Clinical failure was defined as the development of respiratory failure or shock. AMI was diagnosed on the basis of abnormal troponin levels and electrocardiogram findings. Propensity-adjusted models that controlled for clinical and nonclinical factors were used to investigate the association between AMI and pneumonia severity index and between AMI and clinical failure.

RESULTS

Data for a total of 500 patients were studied. At hospital admission, AMI was present in 13 (15%) of 86 patients with severe CAP. During hospitalization, AMI was present in 13 (20%) of 65 patients who experienced clinical failure. Following risk adjustment, significant associations were discovered between AMI and the pneumonia severity index score (modeled with a restricted cubic spline) (P = .05) and between AMI and clinical failure (P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

A combined diagnosis of CAP and AMI is common among hospitalized patients with severe CAP. In cases in which the clinical course of a hospitalized patient with CAP is complicated by clinical failure, AMI should be considered as a possible etiology.

The information and support needs of patients discharged after a short hospital stay for treatment of low-risk Community Acquired Pneumonia: implications for treatment without admission

BACKGROUND

There is increasing evidence that patients with low-risk community acquired pneumonia (CAP) can be effectively treated as outpatients. This study aimed to explore patients' experiences of having pneumonia and seeking health care; their perceptions of the information provided by health professionals; how they self managed at home; their information and support needs; and their beliefs and preferences regarding site of care.

METHODS

We conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 15 patients who had a confirmed diagnosis of low-risk CAP and had received fewer than 3 days hospital care. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed, and data were analysed thematically.

RESULTS

Most patients left hospital with no clear understanding of pneumonia, its treatment or follow-up and most identified additional-other specific information needs when they got home. Some were unable to independently address their activities of daily living in their first days at home.Main concerns after discharge related to the cause and implications of pneumonia, symptom trajectory and prevention of transmission. Most sought advice from their GP in their first days at home, and indicated they would have appreciated a follow-up phone call or visit to discuss their concerns.Patients' preferences for site of care varied and appeared to be influenced by beliefs about safety (fear of rapid deterioration at home or acquiring an infection in hospital), family burden, access to support, or confidence in home-care services. Those who received intravenous (IV) medication were more likely to state a preference for hospital care.

CONCLUSION

Trends to support community-based treatment of CAP should be accompanied by increased attention to the information and support needs of patients who go home to self-manage. Although some information needs can be anticipated and addressed on diagnosis, specific needs often do not become apparent until patients return home, so some access to information and support in the community is likely to be necessary. Our finding that patients who received IV treatment for low-risk CAP were concerned about the relative safety of home-based care highlights the potential importance of the inferences patients make from treatment modalities, and also the need to ensure that patients' expectations and understandings are managed effectively.

Sequential therapy with cefuroxime and cefuroxime-axetil for community-acquired lower respiratory tract infection in the oldest old

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Community acquired lower respiratory tract infection (CALRTI) is the most common infection requiring hospitalization in the elderly. Sequential antibiotic therapy offers the potential for earlier functional rehabilitation, shorter length of hospital stay and lower costs. We studied the efficacy and safety of an empiric sequential antibiotic therapy with cefuroxime-cefuroxime axetil in elderly patients hospitalized with a CALRTI.

METHODS

A prospective, randomized, open-label, in-hospital study of cefuroxime IV 750 mg tid for 10 days (IV group) vs cefuroxime 750 mg IV tid for 3 days, followed by cefuroxime-axetil PO 500 mg bid for 7 days (sequence group), when clinical (symptoms improved and fever disappeared) and/or laboratory response [decrease in C-reactive protein (CRP)] occurred.

RESULTS

A total of 142 patients, 71 (mean age: 83.3 (+/-6 SD), M/F ratio: 1.1) in the IV group, and 71 (mean age: 81.5 (+/-7 SD), M/F ratio: 1.5) in the sequence group, were included in the study. Eighty-three (58.4%) presented with radiologically confirmed pneumonia (CAP) and 59 (41.6%) with non-pneumonic LRTI (NPLRTI) (p=ns between study groups). Treatment was considered effective in 84.5% (60/71) of patients in the IV group and 80.3% (57/71) in the sequence group (p=ns). Therapy failed in 15% (21/142) of the study population (p=ns between study groups) and, after day 3 of therapy, 8.45% (6/71) failed in both study groups. By the end of treatment, two patients had died in each study group, and total in-hospital mortality was 8.5% (12/142, p=ns between study groups). The length of hospital stay (LOS) did not differ between the two study groups.

CONCLUSIONS

When a favorable clinical or biochemical response occurs on day 3 of IV cefuroxime therapy, further therapy with oral cefuroxime-axetil is as effective and safe as a full course of cefuroxime IV in elderly patients hospitalized with CALRTI. However, LOS was not reduced after sequential antibiotic therapy in this population.

Improving outcomes of elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly patients. Therefore, efforts to optimize the healthcare process for patients with CAP are warranted. An organized approach to management is likely to improve clinical results. Assessing the severity of CAP is crucial to predicting outcome, deciding the site of care, and selecting appropriate empirical therapy. Unfortunately, current prognostic scoring systems for CAP such as CURB-65 (confusion, uraemia, respiratory rate, low blood pressure and 65 years of age) or the Pneumonia Severity Index have not been validated specifically in older adults, in whom assessment of mortality risk alone might not be adequate for predicting outcomes. Obtaining a microbial diagnosis remains problematic and may be particularly challenging in frail elderly persons, who may have greater difficulties producing sputum. Effective empirical treatment involves selection of a regimen with a spectrum of activity that includes the causative pathogen. Although most cases of CAP are probably caused by a single pathogen, dual and multiple infections are increasingly being reported. Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the overriding aetiological agent, particularly in very elderly people. However, respiratory viruses and 'atypical' organisms such as Chlamydia pneumoniae are being described with increasing frequency in old patients, and aspiration pneumonia should also be taken into consideration, particularly in very elderly subjects and those with dementia. Age >65 years is a well established risk factor for infection with drug-resistant S. pneumoniae. Clinicians should be aware of additional risk factors for acquiring less common pathogens or antibacterial-resistant organisms that may suggest that additions or modifications to the basic empirical regimen are warranted. In addition to administration of antibacterials, appropriate supportive therapy, covering management of severe sepsis and septic shock, respiratory failure, as well as management of any decompensated underlying disease, may be critical to improving outcomes in elderly patients with CAP. Immunization with pneumococcal and influenza vaccines has also been demonstrated to be beneficial in numerous large studies. There is good evidence that implementation of guidelines leads to improvement in clinical outcomes in elderly patients with CAP, including a reduction in mortality. Protocols should address a comprehensive set of elements in the process of care and should periodically be evaluated to measure their effects on clinically relevant outcomes. Assessment of functional clinical outcome variables, in addition to survival, is strongly recommended for this population.

Implication of clinical pathway care for community-acquired pneumonia in a community hospital: early switch from an intravenous beta-lactam plus a macrolide to an oral respiratory fluoroquinolone

OBJECTIVE

The effect of clinical pathway (CP) care and early switch from intravenous to oral antibiotics therapy on community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has been well documented. However, limited studies have evaluated the effects of CP on reducing time taken for attaining clinical stability and duration of antibiotics prescriptions. This study was aimed to investigate the use of a CP and its implication for CAP in a community hospital.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of CAP patients hospitalized between November 2005 and January 2007. The patients were divided into two groups, those for whom CP was adopted and those for whom CP was not adopted on admission. We compared the outcomes of three risk classes assessed using the severity scoring system (A-DROP). CP included switching from an intravenous beta-lactam plus a macrolide to an oral respiratory fluoroquinolone, when the patients exhibited risk factors for drug-resistant pneumococci.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-five patients were evaluated, and sixty received CP care. Patients in the CP group had a lower A-DROP score. Although clinical cure proportions were similar, the CP group in the mild and moderate classes (A-DROP score, <or=2) required significantly less time to achieve clinical stability and had a reduced duration of total antibiotics prescriptions, length of hospital stay, and hospital charges. These effects were absent in the severe class.

CONCLUSION

Implementation of this CP would lead to effective care, may serve to reduce time for attaining clinical stability and reduce the use of unnecessary antibiotics without worsening clinical outcomes in mild and moderate CAP.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia—Back to Basics

Lower respiratory tract infections are among the most common infectious diseases worldwide and are caused by the inflammation and consolidation of lung tissue due to an infectious agent.¹ The clinical criteria for the diagnosis include chest pain, cough, auscultatory findings such as rales or evidence of pulmonary consolidation, fever, or leukocytosis.

Short- versus long-course antibacterial therapy for community-acquired pneumonia : a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The evidence for traditionally recommended 7- to 14-day duration of antibacterial therapy for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is not well established.

OBJECTIVES

We endeavoured to assess the effectiveness and safety of shorter than traditionally recommended antibacterial therapy for CAP.

METHODS

We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing short- (< or = 7 days) versus long- (> or = 2 days difference) course therapy for CAP with the same antibacterial regimens, in the same daily dosages.

RESULTS

Five RCTs involving adults (including outpatients and inpatients who did not require intensive care) and two RCTs involving children (aged 2-59 months, residing in developing countries) were included. All RCTs were double-blind and assessed patients with CAP of mild to moderate severity. No differences were found between short- (adults 3-7 days; children 3 days) and long- (adults 7-10 days; children 5 days) course regimens (adults - amoxicillin, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, telithromycin and gemifloxacin; children - amoxicillin) regarding clinical success at end-of-therapy (six RCTs; 5107 patients [1095 adults, 4012 children]; fixed-effect model [FEM]; odds ratio [OR] = 0.89; 95% CI 0.74, 1.07), clinical success at late follow-up, microbiological success, relapses, mortality (seven RCTs; 5438 patients; FEM; OR = 0.57; 95% CI 0.23, 1.43), adverse events (five RCTs; 3214 patients; FEM; OR = 0. 90; 95% CI 0.72, 1.13) or withdrawals as a result of adverse events. No differences were found in subset analyses of adults or children, and of patients treated with no more than 5-day short-course regimens versus at least 7-day long-course regimens.

CONCLUSION

No difference was found in the effectiveness and safety of short- versus long-course antimicrobial treatment of adult and paediatric patients with CAP of mild to moderate severity.

A comparison of costs and hospital length of stay associated with intravenous/oral linezolid or intravenous vancomycin treatment of complicated skin and soft-tissue infections caused by suspected or confirmed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in elderly US patients

OBJECTIVES

This study compared the costs and hospital length of stay (LOS) and duration of intravenous therapy associated with intravenous/oral linezolid or intravenous vancomycin treatment of complicated skin and soft-tissue infections (cSSTIs) caused by suspected or confirmed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in elderly US patients.

METHODS

Data were obtained from elderly (>or=65 years) US patients participating in a multinational randomized trial of hospitalized cSSTI patients treated with linezolid or vancomycin. Costs (hospital and total) from the provider perspective were estimated for intent-to-treat (ITT) patients (ie, all those receiving >or=1 dose) using national 2003 costs (ward, medication, intravenous administration). LOS for inpatient care, duration of intravenous linezolid and vancomycin therapy (ITT and MRSA groups), and cure rates were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of 717 enrolled subjects, 163 (23%) were elderly (87 linezolid, 76 vancomycin), with no significant differences in demographic characteristics between the linezolid and vancomycin groups. Mean hospitalization and total costs were lower with linezolid compared with vancomycin (hospitalization: US $4510 vs US $6478, P<0.001; total: US $6009 vs US $7329, P=0.03). Linezolid was associated with a 3.5-day reduction in LOS and a 9.5-day reduction in the duration of intravenous therapy compared with vancomycin in the ITT group (both, P<0.001). Cure rates were comparable between linezolid and vancomycin in both the ITT group (88.7% vs 81.4%, respectively) and the MRSA group (80.0% vs 71.4%). In multivariate analyses of the ITT group, linezolid patients were 57% less likely than vancomycin patients to have a LOS >7 days (odds ratio = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.21-0.87). Chronic renal failure, malnutrition, and a diagnosis of infected ulcer predicted an LOS >7 days.

CONCLUSIONS

In this analysis of data from elderly patients with cSSTI caused by suspected or confirmed MRSA, linezolid treatment was associated with reductions in the costs of care, LOS, and duration of intravenous treatment without affecting the clinical outcomes. Although the use of a subset of patients from a larger trial that did not focus on the elderly can be seen as a study limitation, the elderly represent an important population when evaluating health care resource use and costs.

Critical steps in fluoroquinolones and carbapenems prescriptions: results from a prospective clinical audit

Antibiotic misuse is associated with emergence of resistance and high expenditures. Fluoroquinolones (FQ) and carbapenems (CP) are drugs with considerable potential of resistance development and its disseminated use is a concern. We undertook a prospective clinical audit to evaluate prescriptions of FQ and CP in a multistep process. Each prescription was unfolded in the following steps: indication for antimicrobial therapy; adequacy of initial prescription, dosage and route; previous cultures; and parenteral-oral transition. There was no antibiotics indication in 8.9% of FQ and 1.5% of CP group (p = 0.07). In CP 25.8% of initial schemes were inappropriate (21% in FQ). Lack of switch to oral therapy comprised 25% of monthly costs of FQ. Inadequacy in initial choice accounted for 13.6% of CP expenses. We concluded that, in spite of infection control restrictive policies, inappropriateness of antibiotic usage is worrisome. Clinical audit in a multistep approach may identify possible flaws in this process.

[Evaluation of clinical practice in patients admitted with community-acquired pneumonia over a 4-year period]

OBJECTIVE

Since March 2000 we have been using a clinical practice guideline in the management of patients diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The objective of this study was to analyze the evolution of quality of care received by these patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a prospective observational study comparing the process of care and outcomes of 4 consecutive 1-year periods (March 1, 2000 through February 29, 2004) in patients admitted for CAP.

RESULTS

Over the 4 years studied, the following statistically significant trends were observed: reductions in hospital admissions (P< .001), length of hospital stay (P< .05), and total duration of antibiotic treatment (P< .05); and increases in the coverage of atypical pathogens (P< .001) and administration of antibiotics within 8 hours of hospital arrival (P< .001). No significant differences were found in readmissions within 30 days, or in-hospital and 30-day mortality. Two other areas for improvement were also identified: a low percentage of admissions to the intensive care unit (4.4%) and the rate of unnecessary hospitalization of low-risk patients (36.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic monitoring of the indicators of our clinical guidelines provided us with information about our clinical practice and facilitated an evaluation of the same. Many of these indicators were found to have evolved favorably and areas of improvement were identified.

Effectiveness of early switch from intravenous to oral antibiotics in severe community acquired pneumonia: multicentre randomised trial

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness of an early switch to oral antibiotics with the standard 7 day course of intravenous antibiotics in severe community acquired pneumonia.

DESIGN

Multicentre randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

Five teaching hospitals and 2 university medical centres in the Netherlands.

PARTICIPANTS

302 patients in non-intensive care wards with severe community acquired pneumonia. 265 patients fulfilled the study requirements.

INTERVENTION

Three days of treatment with intravenous antibiotics followed, when clinically stable, by oral antibiotics or by 7 days of intravenous antibiotics.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Clinical cure and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

302 patients were randomised (mean age 69.5 (standard deviation 14.0), mean pneumonia severity score 112.7 (26.0)). 37 patients were excluded from analysis because of early dropout before day 3, leaving 265 patients for intention to treat analysis. Mortality at day 28 was 4% in the intervention group and 6% in the control group (mean difference 2%, 95% confidence interval -3% to 8%). Clinical cure was 83% in the intervention group and 85% in the control group (2%, -7% to 10%). Duration of intravenous treatment and length of hospital stay were reduced in the intervention group, with mean differences of 3.4 days (3.6 (1.5) v 7.0 (2.0) days; 2.8 to 3.9) and 1.9 days (9.6 (5.0) v 11.5 (4.9) days; 0.6 to 3.2), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Early switch from intravenous to oral antibiotics in patients with severe community acquired pneumonia is safe and decreases length of hospital stay by 2 days.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trials NCT00273676 [ClinicalTrials.gov].

Do Educational Interventions Improve Management of Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia?

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the Leading cause of death from infection. In order to evaluate physicians' adherence to hospital guidelines for CAP, an observational prospective study during two consecutive winter periods at an Irish teaching hospital was performed. A series of educational sessions on management of CAP was provided for medical staff at the end of the first year. Comparison of results showed significant improvement in the rate of blood culture sampling (p < .01), sputum sampling (p < .05), and combined blood culture and sputum sampling (p < .01). Length of antibiotic treatment was more appropriate in the second study year. Results indicate that antibiotic audit and educational interventions improve physicians' adherence to hospital guidelines.

Prognostic factors for early clinical failure in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia

For patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), clinical response during the first days of treatment is predictive of clinical outcome. As risk assessments can improve the efficiency of pneumonia management, a prospective cohort study to assess clinical, biochemical and microbiological predictors of early clinical failure was conducted in patients with severe CAP (pneumonia severity index score of >90 or according to the American Thoracic Society definition). Failure was assessed at day 3 and was defined as death, a need for mechanical ventilation, respiratory rate >25/min, PaO2 <55 mm Hg, oxygen saturation <90%, haemodynamic instability, temperature >38 degrees C or confusion. Of 260 patients, 80 (31%) had early clinical failure, associated mainly with a respiratory rate >25/minute (n = 34), oxygen saturation <90% (n = 28) and confusion (n = 20). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, failure was associated independently with altered mental state (OR 3.19, 95% CI 1.75-5.80), arterial PaH <7.35 mm Hg (OR 4.29, 95% CI 1.53-12.05) and PaO2 <60 mm Hg (OR 1.75, 95% CI 0.97-3.15). A history of heart failure was associated inversely with clinical failure (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.10-0.96). Patients who failed to respond had a higher 28-day mortality rate and a longer hospital stay. It was concluded that routine clinical and biochemical information can be used to predict early clinical failure in patients with severe CAP.

Usage et mésusage de la voie intraveineuse pour l’administration de médicaments en médecine interne

AIM

Numerous intravenously-administered medications are also available in equally effective oral forms. To assess the number of avoidable intravenous infusions, we retrospectively analyzed consecutive infusions prescribed in a department of internal medicine.

METHODS

Between November and December 2004, we analyzed all patients who received at least one intravenous drug during hospitalization. Intravenous administration was considered unavoidable when prescribed for no more than 2 days in a patient unstable at admission, when oral administration or feeding was impossible, or when the drug was not available in oral form.

RESULTS

During the study period 133 patients were admitted to the department. In all, 65 infusions were prescribed, 30% of which lasted more than 2 days for no medical reason. Four intravenous antibiotics were prescribed in patients when their antibiotic susceptibility tests indicated that another oral antibiotic could easily be given. Infusions for 16 other patients continued longer than 48 hours, although the oral route was not contraindicated in these patients and the medication was available in oral form.

CONCLUSION

Systematic analysis of the daily prescriptions may be helpful in preventing or shortening use of intravenous medications and thereby decreasing iatrogenic infections and injuries, length of hospitalization, and costs.

In-hospital observation after antibiotic switch in pneumonia: a national evaluation

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical benefit of in-hospital observation after the switch from intravenous (IV) to oral antibiotics in a large Medicare population. Retrospective studies of relatively small size indicate that the practice of in-hospital observation after the switch from IV to oral antibiotics for patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is unnecessary.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective examination of the US Medicare National Pneumonia Project database. Eligible patients were discharged with an ICD-9-CM diagnosis consistent with community-acquired pneumonia and divided into 2 groups: 1) a "not observed" cohort, in which patients were discharged on the same day as the switch from IV to oral antibiotics and 2) an "observed for 1 day" cohort, in which patients remained hospitalized for 1 day after the switch from IV to oral antibiotics. We compared clinical outcomes between these 2 cohorts.

RESULTS

A total of 39,242 cases were sampled, representing 4341 hospitals in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. There were 5248 elderly patients who fulfilled eligibility criteria involving a length of stay of no more than 7 hospital days (2536 "not observed" and 2712 "observed for 1 day" patients). Mean length of stay was 3.8 days for the "not observed" cohort and 4.5 days for the "observed for 1 day" cohort (P <.0001). There was no significant difference in 14-day hospital readmission rate (7.8% in the "not observed" cohort vs 7.2% "observed for 1 day" cohort, odds ratio 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74-1.12; P =.367) and 30-day mortality rate (5.1% "not observed" cohort vs 4.4% in the "observed for 1 day" cohort, odds ratio 0.86; 95% CI, 0.67-1.11; P =.258) between the "not observed" and "observed for 1 day" cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis of the US Medicare Pneumonia Project database provides further evidence that the routine practice of in-hospital observation after the switch from IV to oral antibiotics for patients with CAP may be avoided in patients who are clinically stable although these findings should be verified in a large randomized controlled trial.