1
|
Sexton ME, Kuruvilla ME. Management of Penicillin Allergy in the Perioperative Setting. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:157. [PMID: 38391543 PMCID: PMC10886174 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13020157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The selection of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis is challenging in patients with a history of penicillin allergy; as such, we present a literature review exploring current best practices and the associated supporting evidence, as well as areas for future research. Guidelines recommend the use of alternative agents in patients with an IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reaction, but those alternative agents are associated with worse outcomes, including an increased risk of surgical site infection, and higher cost. More recent data suggest that the risk of cross-reactivity between penicillins and cephalosporins, particularly cefazolin, is extremely low, and that cefazolin can be used safely in most penicillin-allergic patients. Studies have therefore explored how best to implement first-line cefazolin use in patients with a penicillin allergy label. A variety of interventions, including preoperative allergy de-labeling with incorporation of penicillin skin testing, use of patient risk-stratification questionnaires, and utilization of clinician algorithms to guide antibiotic selection intraoperatively, have all been shown to significantly increase cefazolin utilization without a corresponding increase in adverse events. Further studies are needed to clarify the most effective interventions and implementation strategies, as well as to evaluate whether patients with severe delayed hypersensitivity reactions to penicillin should continue to be excluded from receipt of other beta-lactams.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Elizabeth Sexton
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Merin Elizabeth Kuruvilla
- Department of Internal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, NJ 07936, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
He K, Dawson M, Stroh C, Taylor KM, Quigley S, Jones S, Cramm SL, Rangel SJ. A Process Improvement Project to Increase Compliance With Cephalosporin-based Surgical Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Children With Non-severe Penicillin Allergies. J Pediatr Surg 2024; 59:61-67. [PMID: 37839950 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2023.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Cephalosporins are considered safe and first-line prophylaxis in children with non-severe penicillin allergies. However, use of second-line agents is common and is primarily driven by poor allergic response documentation and misunderstanding of cross-reactivity risk. The goal of this project was to improve compliance with cephalosporin prophylaxis through improved documentation and targeted educational efforts. METHODS A multidisciplinary working group including representatives from allergy, surgery, infectious disease, and pharmacy developed staged interventions to facilitate compliance with cephalosporin prophylaxis. These included: (1) caregiver outreach to clarify incomplete allergy documentation, (2) a decision-support algorithm for prophylaxis use in penicillin-allergic patients, (3) standardized educational resources for surgical faculty and rotating trainees, (4) email reminders with prophylaxis recommendations sent out prior to scheduled cases, and (5) EMR-based decision support during antibiotic ordering. Rates of complete allergy documentation and cephalosporin utilization were compared for general surgery procedures between a 12-month pre-intervention and 14-month post-intervention period. RESULTS 578 patients with penicillin allergies recorded in the EMR were included (301 pre-intervention and 277 post-intervention), 54.0% of which received prophylaxis. Compared to the pre-intervention period, complete documentation of allergic reactions increased from 57.1% to 84.2% (p < 0.001) following implementation of all interventions. Appropriate prophylaxis utilization increased from 34.5% to 88.5% following implementation of all interventions (p < 0.001), and evidence of a stepwise increase in appropriate utilization was evident with each intervention stage. Persistent compliance failures during the post-implementation period were most commonly associated with urgent and emergent add-on cases. No adverse events or allergic responses were reported before or after project implementation. CONCLUSIONS Compliance with cephalosporin prophylaxis significantly improved following a multidisciplinary effort targeting education, allergy documentation, and clinical support at the point of care. Ongoing efforts include postoperative audits within 24 h for noncompliant cases in order to identify barriers and improve compliance for urgent and emergent add-on cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III. TYPE OF STUDY Prospective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine He
- Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michele Dawson
- Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Crystal Stroh
- Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kristina M Taylor
- Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Susan Quigley
- Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah Jones
- Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shannon L Cramm
- Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shawn J Rangel
- Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li PH, Wong JCY, Chan JMC, Chik TSH, Chu MY, Ho GCH, Leung WS, Li TCM, Ng YY, Shum R, Sin WWY, Tso EYK, Wu AKL, Au EYL. Hong Kong Drug Allergy Delabelling Initiative (HK-DADI) consensus statements for penicillin allergy testing by nonallergists. FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY 2022; 3:974138. [PMID: 36133403 PMCID: PMC9483020 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2022.974138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Penicillin allergy testing has been traditionally performed by allergists, but there remains a huge deficit of specialists. A multidisciplinary effort with nonallergists would be invaluable to overcome the magnitude of penicillin allergy labels via the Hong Kong Drug Allergy Delabelling Initiative (HK-DADI). These consensus statements (CSs) offer recommendations and guidance to enable nonallergists to screen for low-risk (LR) patients and perform penicillin allergy testing. Methods CSs were formulated by the HK-DADI Group using the Delphi method. An agreement was defined as greater than or equal to 80% consensus. Results A total of 26 CSs reached consensus after multiple rounds of Delphi. CSs were categorized into risk assessment, skin testing, drug provocation testing (DPT), and post-testing management. For risk assessment, the essentials of allergy history and exclusion criteria were detailed. Patients with only LR features can proceed with testing by nonallergists. Skin tests should be performed prior to DPT. Details regarding the timing, preparation, and interpretation of skin tests were elaborated. DPT remains the gold standard to diagnose genuine allergy or tolerance and should be performed when there is a low pretest probability following negative skin testing. Details of DPT preparations, dosing protocols, and interpretation were elaborated. For post-testing management, inaccurate allergy labels should be delabeled following negative DPT with proper patient counseling. Conclusion CSs support penicillin allergy testing by nonallergists in Hong Kong. LR cases can be managed by nonallergists at Spoke Clinics, with training and support of an allergist-led Hub.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philip H. Li
- Division of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Correspondence: Philip H. Li
| | - Jane C. Y. Wong
- Division of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jacky M. C. Chan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Thomas S. H. Chik
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - M. Y. Chu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Grace C. H. Ho
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - W. S. Leung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Timothy C. M. Li
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Y. Y. Ng
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Rocky Shum
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Clinical Pathology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Winnie W. Y. Sin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Eugene Y. K. Tso
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Alan K. L. Wu
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Clinical Pathology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Elaine Y. L. Au
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Pathology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| |
Collapse
|