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Jeffres MN, Hall-Lipsy EA, King ST, Cleary JD. Systematic review of professional liability when prescribing β-lactams for patients with a known penicillin allergy. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2018; 121:530-536. [PMID: 29551402 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2018.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe medical negligence and malpractice cases in which a patient with a known penicillin allergy received a β-lactam and experienced an adverse reaction related to the β-lactam. DATA SOURCES Lexis-Nexus, Westlaw, and Google Scholar were searched. STUDY SELECTIONS Medical negligence and malpractice cases were eligible for inclusion if they met the following criteria: the plaintiff had a known penicillin allergy, received a β-lactam, and experienced an adverse event. All United States federal and state cases were eligible. RESULTS Twenty-seven unique cases met the inclusion criteria. Eighteen cases involved the receipt of a penicillin-based antibiotic; of these cases with a known legal outcome, the plaintiff (patient or representative) prevailed or settled in 3 cases and defendants (providers) prevailed in 7 cases. Seven cases involved the receipt of a cephalosporin; of these cases with a known legal outcome, the plaintiff settled with physicians before trial in 1 case and defendants prevailed in 3 cases. Two cases involved the receipt of a carbapenem. Defendants prevailed in one case and the legal outcome of the other case is unknown. In cases in which the defense successfully moved for summary judgment, judges cited a lack of scientific evidence demonstrating a cephalosporin or carbapenem was contraindicated for a patient with a penicillin allergy. CONCLUSION The cases with published legal outcomes found limited professional liability for clinicians who prescribed cephalosporins or carbapenems to a patient with a known penicillin allergy. These results may decrease the litigation fears of practitioners and risk managers within health care systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan N Jeffres
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, Colorado.
| | - Elizabeth A Hall-Lipsy
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, Tucson, Arizona
| | - S Travis King
- Department of Pharmacy, Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - John D Cleary
- St Dominic Hospital, Department of Pharmacy, Jackson, Mississippi
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102
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Blumenthal KG, Shenoy ES, Wolfson AR, Berkowitz DN, Carballo VA, Balekian DS, Marquis KA, Elshaboury R, Gandhi RG, Meka P, Kubiak DW, Catella J, Lambl BB, Hsu JT, Freeley MM, Gruszecki A, Wickner PG. Addressing Inpatient Beta-Lactam Allergies: A Multihospital Implementation. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2018; 5:616-625.e7. [PMID: 28483315 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2017.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Addressing inaccurate penicillin allergies is encouraged as part of antibiotic stewardship in the inpatient setting. However, implementing interventions targeted at the 10% to 15% of inpatients reporting a previous penicillin allergy can pose substantial logistic challenges. We implemented a computerized guideline for patients with reported beta-lactam allergy at 5 hospitals within a single health care system in the Boston area. In this article, we describe our implementation roadmap, including both successes achieved and challenges faced. We explain key implementation steps, including assembling a team, stakeholder engagement, developing or selecting an approach, spreading the change, establishing measures, and measuring impact. The objective was to detail the lessons learned while empowering others to be part of this important, multidisciplinary work to improve the care of patients with reported beta-lactam allergies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly G Blumenthal
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass; Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass; Edward P. Lawrence Center for Quality and Safety, Massachusetts General Hospital and the Massachusetts General Professional Organization, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
| | - Erica S Shenoy
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Infection Control Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Anna R Wolfson
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | | | | | - Diana S Balekian
- Allergy Unit, Department of Medicine, North Shore Medical Center, Salem, Mass; Asthma and Allergy Affiliates, Salem, Mass
| | - Kathleen A Marquis
- Department of Pharmacy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Ramy Elshaboury
- Department of Pharmacy, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Ronak G Gandhi
- Department of Pharmacy, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Praveen Meka
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - David W Kubiak
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Pharmacy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | | | - Barbara B Lambl
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, North Shore Medical Center, Salem, Mass
| | - Joyce T Hsu
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | | | - Alana Gruszecki
- Pharmacy Department, Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Paige G Wickner
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass
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103
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Yoon K, Lee M, Patel R, Park Z. Successful Implementation of a Simple Algorithm to Manage Penicillin Allergy in an Acute Care Community Hospital. Ann Pharmacother 2018; 52:603-604. [DOI: 10.1177/1060028018758320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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104
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Al-Hasan MN, Acker EC, Kohn JE, Bookstaver PB, Justo JA. Impact of Penicillin Allergy on Empirical Carbapenem Use in Gram-Negative Bloodstream Infections: An Antimicrobial Stewardship Opportunity. Pharmacotherapy 2017; 38:42-50. [DOI: 10.1002/phar.2054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Majdi N. Al-Hasan
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine; Columbia South Carolina
- Department of Medicine; Palmetto Health USC Medical Group; Columbia South Carolina
| | - Emily C. Acker
- Department of Pharmacy; Cincinnati Children's Hospital; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Joseph E. Kohn
- Department of Pharmacy; Palmetto Health Richland; Columbia South Carolina
| | - Paul Brandon Bookstaver
- Department of Pharmacy; Palmetto Health Richland; Columbia South Carolina
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences; University of South College of Pharmacy; Columbia South Carolina
| | - Julie Ann Justo
- Department of Pharmacy; Palmetto Health Richland; Columbia South Carolina
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences; University of South College of Pharmacy; Columbia South Carolina
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105
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Inglis JM, Caughey GE, Smith W, Shakib S. Documentation of penicillin adverse drug reactions in electronic health records: inconsistent use of allergy and intolerance labels. Intern Med J 2017; 47:1292-1297. [DOI: 10.1111/imj.13558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M. Inglis
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology; Royal Adelaide Hospital; Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Gillian E. Caughey
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology; Royal Adelaide Hospital; Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - William Smith
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy; Royal Adelaide Hospital; Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Sepehr Shakib
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology; Royal Adelaide Hospital; Adelaide South Australia Australia
- Discipline of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine; University of Adelaide; Adelaide South Australia Australia
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106
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Chen JR, Khan DA. Evaluation of Penicillin Allergy in the Hospitalized Patient: Opportunities for Antimicrobial Stewardship. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2017; 17:40. [PMID: 28540641 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-017-0706-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Penicillin allergy is often misdiagnosed and is associated with adverse consequences, but testing is infrequently done in the hospital setting. This article reviews historical and contemporary innovations in inpatient penicillin allergy testing and its impact on antimicrobial stewardship. RECENT FINDINGS Adoption of the electronic medical record allows rapid identification of admitted patients carrying a penicillin allergy diagnosis. Collaboration with clinical pharmacists and the development of computerized clinical guidelines facilitates increased testing and appropriate use of penicillin and related β-lactams. Education of patients and their outpatient providers is the key to retaining the benefits of penicillin allergy de-labeling. Penicillin allergy testing is feasible in the hospital and offers tangible benefits towards antimicrobial stewardship. Allergists should take the lead in this endeavor and work towards overcoming personnel limitations by partnering with other health care providers and incorporating technology that improves the efficiency of allergy evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin R Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Allergy & Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-8859, USA
| | - David A Khan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Allergy & Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-8859, USA.
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107
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Are Cephalosporins Safe for Use in Penicillin Allergy without Prior Allergy Evaluation? THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2017; 6:82-89. [PMID: 28958745 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2017.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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108
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Doernberg SB, Chambers HF. Antimicrobial Stewardship Approaches in the Intensive Care Unit. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2017; 31:513-534. [PMID: 28687210 DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial stewardship programs aim to monitor, improve, and measure responsible antibiotic use. The intensive care unit (ICU), with its critically ill patients and prevalence of multiple drug-resistant pathogens, presents unique challenges. This article reviews approaches to stewardship with application to the ICU, including the value of diagnostics, principles of empirical and definitive therapy, and measures of effectiveness. There is good evidence that antimicrobial stewardship results in more appropriate antimicrobial use, shorter therapy durations, and lower resistance rates. Data demonstrating hard clinical outcomes, such as adverse events and mortality, are more limited but encouraging; further studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah B Doernberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0654, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Henry F Chambers
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, Room 3400, Building 30, 1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
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109
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Soyer O, Sahiner UM, Sekerel BE. Pro and Contra: Provocation Tests in Drug Hypersensitivity. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18071437. [PMID: 28677662 PMCID: PMC5535928 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18071437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2017] [Revised: 06/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug provocation test (DPT) is the controlled administration of a drug to diagnose immune- or non-immune-mediated drug hypersensitivity and the last step for accurate recognition of drug hypersensitivity reactions when the previous diagnostic evaluations are negative or unavailable. A DPT is performed only if other conventional tests fail to yield conclusive results. In each clinical presentation, "to provoke or not to provoke" a patient should be decided after careful assessment of the risk-benefit ratio. Well-defined benefits of DPT include confirmative exclusion of diagnoses of drug hypersensitivity and provision of safe alternatives. However, disadvantages such as safety, difficulty in interpretations of results, lack of objective biomarkers, risks of resensitization, efficiency in daily practice, and lack of standardized protocols, are poorly debated. This review summarizes the current published research concerning DPT, with particular emphasis on the advantages and disadvantages of DPT in an evidence-based manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Soyer
- Department of Pediatric Allergy Ankara, School of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey.
| | - Umit Murat Sahiner
- Department of Pediatric Allergy Ankara, School of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey.
| | - Bulent Enis Sekerel
- Department of Pediatric Allergy Ankara, School of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey.
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110
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Macy E, Romano A, Khan D. Practical Management of Antibiotic Hypersensitivity in 2017. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2017; 5:577-586. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2017.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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111
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Fernandez TD, Mayorga C, Salas M, Barrionuevo E, Posadas T, Ariza A, Laguna JJ, Moreno E, Torres MJ, Doña I, Montañez MI. Evolution of diagnostic approaches in betalactam hypersensitivity. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2017; 10:671-683. [PMID: 28375040 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2017.1313110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Betalactams are the most widely used drugs against infections and the primary cause of antibiotic hypersensitivity reactions. Reaction patterns for different betalactams have been changing in accordance with consumption trends, and vary among countries. As a consequence, in vivo and in vitro tests have had to change with to keep up with new tendencies. Areas covered: This review is focused on advances in betalactam hypersensitivity diagnosis. Changes in in vivo methods have been limited to the inclusion of new haptens. In contrast, major progress has been achieved for in vitro tests since the 1960s, from the first description of immunoassays, the basophil activation test and the lymphocyte transformation test, to the more sophisticated assays developed in last years. Expert commentary: Issues with diagnosis are related to test sensitivity. In vivo tests show higher sensitivity, however they can be risky, especially in severe and life-threatening reactions. Therefore, we believe that in vitro tests should be the preferred method. Current efforts are under way to enhance their sensitivity. Only multidisciplinary approaches involving immunology, proteomics, nanotechnology and chemistry can help us to fully understand conjugate structures and mechanisms involved in hypersensitivity reactions to betalactams, and consequently lead to advances in in vitro methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahia D Fernandez
- a Research Laboratory , IBIMA - Regional University Hospital of Malaga - UMA , Málaga , Spain
| | - Cristobalina Mayorga
- a Research Laboratory , IBIMA - Regional University Hospital of Malaga - UMA , Málaga , Spain.,b Allergy Unit , IBIMA - Regional University Hospital of Malaga - UMA , Málaga , Spain
| | - Maria Salas
- b Allergy Unit , IBIMA - Regional University Hospital of Malaga - UMA , Málaga , Spain
| | - Esther Barrionuevo
- b Allergy Unit , IBIMA - Regional University Hospital of Malaga - UMA , Málaga , Spain
| | - Teresa Posadas
- b Allergy Unit , IBIMA - Regional University Hospital of Malaga - UMA , Málaga , Spain
| | - Adriana Ariza
- a Research Laboratory , IBIMA - Regional University Hospital of Malaga - UMA , Málaga , Spain
| | - Jose J Laguna
- c Allergy Unit , Hospital de la Cruz Roja , Madrid , Spain
| | - Esther Moreno
- d Allergy Service , University Hospital of Salamanca , Salamanca , Spain
| | - Maria J Torres
- b Allergy Unit , IBIMA - Regional University Hospital of Malaga - UMA , Málaga , Spain.,e Laboratory of Nanostructures for Diagnosing and Treatment of Allergic Diseases , Andalusian Center for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology - BIONAND , Málaga , Spain
| | - Inmaculada Doña
- b Allergy Unit , IBIMA - Regional University Hospital of Malaga - UMA , Málaga , Spain
| | - Maria I Montañez
- a Research Laboratory , IBIMA - Regional University Hospital of Malaga - UMA , Málaga , Spain.,e Laboratory of Nanostructures for Diagnosing and Treatment of Allergic Diseases , Andalusian Center for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology - BIONAND , Málaga , Spain
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112
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Blumenthal KG, Wickner PG, Hurwitz S, Pricco N, Nee AE, Laskowski K, Shenoy ES, Walensky RP. Tackling inpatient penicillin allergies: Assessing tools for antimicrobial stewardship. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017; 140:154-161.e6. [PMID: 28254470 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reported penicillin allergy rarely reflects penicillin intolerance. Failure to address inpatient penicillin allergies results in more broad-spectrum antibiotic use, treatment failures, and adverse drug events. OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine the optimal approach to penicillin allergies among medical inpatients. METHODS We evaluated internal medicine inpatients reporting penicillin allergy in 3 periods: (1) standard of care (SOC), (2) penicillin skin testing (ST), and (3) computerized guideline application with decision support (APP). The primary outcome was use of a penicillin or cephalosporin, comparing interventions to SOC using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS There were 625 patients: SOC, 148; ST, 278; and APP, 199. Of 278 ST patients, 179 (64%) were skin test eligible; 43 (24%) received testing and none were allergic. In the APP period, there were 292 unique Web site views; 112 users (38%) completed clinical decision support. Although ST period patients did not have increased odds of penicillin or cephalosporin use overall (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.3; 95% CI, 0.8-2.0), we observed significant increased odds of penicillin or cephalosporin use overall in the APP period (aOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-2.9) and in a per-protocol analysis of the skin tested subset (aOR, 5.7; 95% CI, 2.6-12.5). CONCLUSIONS Both APP and ST-when completed-increased the use of penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics among inpatients reporting penicillin allergy. While the skin tested subset showed an almost 6-fold impact, the computerized guideline significantly increased penicillin or cephalosporin use overall nearly 2-fold and was readily implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly G Blumenthal
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass; Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass; Edward P. Lawrence Center for Quality and Safety, Massachusetts General Hospital and the Massachusetts General Professional Organization, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
| | - Paige G Wickner
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Shelley Hurwitz
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | | | | | - Karl Laskowski
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Erica S Shenoy
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass; Infection Control Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass
| | - Rochelle P Walensky
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass
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113
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Narayanan PP, Jeffres MN. Feasibility, Benefits, and Limitations of a Penicillin Allergy Skin Testing Service. Ann Pharmacother 2017; 51:504-510. [PMID: 28152605 DOI: 10.1177/1060028017690854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To critically examine the feasibility, benefits, and limitations of an inpatient penicillin skin testing service and how pharmacists can be utilized. DATA SOURCES A PubMed search was performed from July 2016 through September 2016 using the following search terms: penicillin skin testing, penicillin allergy, β-lactam allergy. Additional references were identified from a review of literature citations. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION All English-language studies assessing the use of penicillin skin testing as well as management and clinical outcomes of patients with a β-lactam allergy were evaluated. DATA SYNTHESIS The prevalence of people self-identifying as penicillin allergic ranges from 10% to 20% in the United States. Being improperly labeled as penicillin allergic is associated with higher health care costs, worse clinical outcomes, and an increased prevalence of multidrug-resistant infections. Penicillin skin testing can be a tool used to clarify penicillin allergies and has been demonstrated to be a successful addition to antimicrobial stewardship programs in multiple health care settings. Prior to implementing a penicillin skin testing service, institutions will need to perform a feasibility analysis of who will supply labor and accept the financial burden as well as identify if the positive benefits of a penicillin skin testing service overcome the limitations of this diagnostic test. CONCLUSION We conclude that institutions with high percentages of patients receiving non-β-lactams because of penicillin allergy labels would likely benefit the most from a penicillin skin testing service.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meghan N Jeffres
- 2 University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, CO, USA
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114
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Broad-Spectrum Beta-Lactams for Patients Allergic to Penicillin. Am J Ther 2016; 23:e979. [PMID: 27386960 DOI: 10.1097/mjt.0000000000000471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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