Treatment of Patients with a History of Penicillin Allergy in a Large Tertiary-Care Academic Hospital

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 252-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthieu Picard ◽  
Philippe Bégin ◽  
Hugues Bouchard ◽  
Jonathan Cloutier ◽  
Jonathan Lacombe-Barrios ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Penicillin Allergy ◽  
Academic Hospital ◽  
Large Tertiary Care ◽  
History Of

scholarly journals Influence of Reported Penicillin Allergy on Mortality in MSSA Bacteremia

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas A Turner ◽  
Rebekah Moehring ◽  
Christina Sarubbi ◽  
Rebekah H Wrenn ◽  
Richard H Drew ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Penicillin Allergy ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Beta Lactam ◽  
Beta Lactams ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Large Tertiary Care ◽  
Multivariable Regression Models

Abstract Background Penicillin allergy frequently impacts antibiotic choice. As beta-lactams are superior to vancomycin in treating methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteremia, we examined the effect of reported penicillin allergy on clinical outcomes in patients with MSSA bacteremia. Methods In this retrospective cohort study of adults with MSSA bacteremia admitted to a large tertiary care hospital, outcomes were examined according to reported penicillin allergy. Primary outcomes included 30-day and 90-day mortality rates. Multivariable regression models were developed to quantify the effect of reported penicillin allergy on mortality while adjusting for potential confounders. Results From 2010 to 2015, 318 patients with MSSA bacteremia were identified. Reported penicillin allergy had no significant effect on adjusted 30-day mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29–1.84; P = .51). Patients with reported penicillin allergy were more likely to receive vancomycin (38% vs 11%, P < .01), but a large number received cefazolin regardless of reported allergy (29 of 66, 44%). Mortality rates were highest among nonallergic patients receiving vancomycin (22.6% vs 7.4% for those receiving beta-lactams regardless of reported allergy, P < .01). In multivariable analysis, beta-lactam receipt was most strongly associated with survival (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.12–0.54). Conclusions Reported penicillin allergy had no significant effect on 30- or 90-day mortality. Non-penicillin-allergic patients receiving vancomycin for treatment of MSSA bacteremia had the highest mortality rates overall. Receipt of a beta-lactam was the strongest predictor of survival. These results underscore the importance of correct classification of patients with penicillin allergy and appropriate treatment with a beta-lactam when tolerated.

scholarly journals 51 Overuse of ceftriaxone in children with otitis media: experience at a Canadian tertiary care hospital

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. e21-e21
Author(s):  
Mila Arnautovich ◽  
Ann-Christine Godard ◽  
Jean-Francois Turcotte
Keyword(s):  
Otitis Media ◽  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Antibiotic Stewardship ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Penicillin Allergy ◽  
White Blood Count ◽  
Oral Drugs ◽  
Broad Spectrum Antibiotics ◽  
Amoxicillin Clavulanate ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background Acute otitis media (AOM) is extremely common. In fact, most children experience at least one ear infection before starting school. It is also recognized as the most frequent reason to administer antibiotics in children. However, many advocate for limited use of antibiotics in healthy children over 6 months of age using a watchful waiting approach. This applies even more for broad-spectrum antibiotics in the context of antibiotic stewardship. The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) recommends using parenteral ceftriaxone only when oral drugs are not tolerated or amoxicillin-clavulanate fails. Objectives This primary aim of this study was to describe the use of ceftriaxone in the treatment of children with AOM. Secondary aims were to assess length of therapy and complications as well as determine if the use of ceftriaxone met the criteria of refractory AOM suggested by the CPS. Design/Methods We performed a retrospective observational cohort study of children aged between the ages of 6 months and 5 years with a diagnosis of AOM at a single tertiary care center. All children were seen between March 2017 and February 2019 in a pediatric outpatient medical day unit and received at least one dose of ceftriaxone. Chart review was performed and multiples variables were included in the analysis. Patients with insufficient chart data or with a congenital ear anomaly were excluded. Results A total of 276 patients were included. Patients were aged 17.5 ± 9 months and a majority were boys (N=160). Most patients were fully immunized (N=252). A history of penicillin allergy was reported for 59 patients. Previous AOM was common (N=205) while tympanostomy tubes were rare (N=12). With regards to the diagnosis of AOM, a majority (N=153) had bilateral AOM. Diagnosis of AOM was based on inflammation (N=204), bulging tympanic membrane (N=158) or middle ear effusion (N=118). Fourteen patients had a tympanic perforation. Almost all patients were febrile (N=266). One patient had a positive blood culture (streptococcus pneumoniae) and one had a mastoiditis. Among those who underwent bloodwork (N=212), white blood count was 15.2 ± 6.7 x 109. With regards to antibiotics, most patients (N=218) were initially given oral antibiotics, with amoxicillin given as a first line therapy for 99 patients. A minority of patients received amoxicillin-clavulanate prior to receiving ceftriaxone (N=105). Reasons for the use of ceftriaxone included intolerance to oral drugs (N=18), failure of (or recent exposure to) amoxicillin-clavulanate (N=89) and a history of penicillin allergy (N=50). Most patients were treated with a course of three days with only 51 patients receiving one or two doses. Conclusion In our cohort, the use of ceftriaxone was not limited to nonresponsive AOM. In fact, a minority of patients received ceftriaxone in the setting of intolerance to oral drugs or failure of amoxicillin-clavulanate. This goes against current CPS recommendations and suggests an overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Obviously, this needs to be addressed in the context of antibiotic stewardship.

scholarly journals Healthcare distrust among hospitalised black patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2021-140824
Author(s):  
Thang Cong Nguyen ◽  
Evelyn Gathecha ◽  
Regina Kauffman ◽  
Scott Wright ◽  
Ché Matthew Harris
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Academic Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The People ◽  
Black Patients ◽  
History Of ◽  
Meaningful Relationships

Study purposeDistrust of the healthcare system is longstanding in the black community. This may especially threaten the health of the population when a highly contagious infection strikes. This study aims to compare COVID-19-related perspectives and behaviours between hospitalised black patients who trust versus distrust doctors and healthcare systems.Study designCross-sectional study at a tertiary care academic hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Hospitalised adult black patients without a history of COVID-19 infection were surveyed between November 2020 and March 2021 using an instrument that assessed COVID-19-related matters. Analyses compared those who trusted versus mistrusted doctors and healthcare systems.Results37 distrusting hospitalised black patients were compared with 103 black patients who trusted doctors and healthcare systems. Groups had similar sociodemographics (all p>0.05). Distrustful patients were less likely to think that they were at high risk of contracting COVID-19 (54.0% vs 75.7%; p=0.05), less likely to believe that people with underlying medical conditions were at higher risk of dying from the virus (86.4% vs 98.0%; p=0.01) and less likely to be willing to accept COVID-19 vaccination (when available) (51.3% vs 77.6%; p<0.01) compared with those who were trusting.ConclusionHealthcare distrustful hospitalised black patients were doubtful of COVID-19 risk and hesitant about vaccination. Hospitalisations are concentrated exposures to the people and processes within healthcare systems; at these times, seizing the opportunity to establish meaningful relationships with patients may serve to gain their trust.

Long-Term Hearing Outcomes From Gamma Knife Treatment for Vestibulocochlear Nerve Schwannomas in a Large, Tertiary Care, Academic Hospital

2021 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Maksimoski ◽  
Amishi Bajaj ◽  
Sneha Giri ◽  
Laurin M. Sharpe ◽  
John Kalapurakal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Academic Hospital ◽  
Vestibulocochlear Nerve ◽  
Large Tertiary Care ◽  
Hearing Outcomes

scholarly journals MON-118 Reducing Unnecessary Repeat HbA1c Testing in a Tertiary Academic Hospital

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vamana Rajeswaran ◽  
Lisa Alexander ◽  
Raad Alwithenani ◽  
Diana Jaskolka ◽  
Shirine Usmani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Surrogate Marker ◽  
Academic Hospital ◽  
Repeat Testing ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Important Target ◽  
Large Tertiary Care ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a surrogate marker of glycemia over the preceding three months, where the last 30 days contributes to 50% of the value (1). Therefore guidelines often recommend repeating HbA1c only after 3 months in most situations (2), but repeat testing of HbA1c is often conducted earlier when not warranted (3). We aimed to conduct a Quality Improvement (QI) initiative to reduce unnecessary repeat testing of HbA1c at a large tertiary care academic hospital in Toronto, Ontario by 50% by May 2020. Methods: The Model for Improvement Quality Improvement (QI) framework was used in the design of the QI project to reduce repeat HbA1c. Problem characterization was conducted to understand root causes and iterative Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were used to develop a change intervention. Unnecessary HbA1c tests were the primary outcome and defined as repeat HbA1c testing within 60 days; the top three specialities that ordered unnecessary HbA1c tests were targeted for education prior to implementation of the change intervention. Results: Baseline data on all HbA1c tests in 2018 revealed repeat testing in approximately 10% of 15,290 HbA1c tests, with estimated potential savings of more than $11,000 based on the provincial reimbursement rate. The top 3 ordering specialities targeted for education included Nephrology (n=410 repeat HbA1c tests), Cardiology (n=246 repeat HbA1c tests), and Endocrinology (n=136 repeat HbA1C tests). Root cause analysis revealed that providers often ordered repeat HbA1c tests due to being unaware of prior results and a knowledge gap of testing recommendations. A laboratory forced function will be implemented on December 1, 2019 to cancel any repeat HbA1c tests within 60 days and calls to the lab to add HbA1c testing will be tracked. Conclusions: Repeat HbA1c testing is frequent in hospital settings and can be an important target for QI efforts. A forced function to cancel processing of repeat HbA1c may be an appropriate QI intervention to reduce repeat testing to promote high-value care. Ongoing data analysis will be conducted to assess the impact of this intervention. References (1) Goldstein DE, Little RR, Lorenz RA, Malone JI, Nathan D, Peterson CM, Sacks DB. Tests of Glycemia in Diabetes. Diabetes Care 2004;27(7): 1761-1773. (2) Berard LD, Siemens R, Woo V. Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada: Monitoring Glycemic Control. Can J Diabetes 2018;42(Suppl 1):S47-S53. (3) Chami N, Simons JE, Sweetman A, Don-Wauchope AC. Rates of inappropriate laboratory test utilization in Ontario. Clinical Biochemistry 2017;50: 822-827.

scholarly journals Lysine analogue use during cancer surgery: a survey from a Canadian tertiary care centre

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Montroy ◽  
B. Hutton ◽  
D.A. Fergusson ◽  
A. Tinmouth ◽  
L.T. Lavallée ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Survey Questionnaire ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Academic Hospital ◽  
Tertiary Care Centre ◽  
Oncologic Surgery ◽  
Hemostatic Agents ◽  
Cancer Field ◽  
Large Tertiary Care ◽  
Proven Efficacy

Background When used during surgery, antifibrinolytic hemostatic agents such as lysine analogues are effective at reducing blood loss and the need for transfusions. Despite proven efficacy, use of hemostatic agents remains low during some surgeries. Our objective was to explore surgeon opinions about, and use of lysine analogues in, oncologic surgeries at a large tertiary care academic institution. Methods We administered a survey to surgeons who perform high-transfusion-risk oncologic surgeries at a large academic hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. Design and distribution of the survey followed a modified Dillman method. To ensure that the survey questionnaire was relevant, clear, and concise, we performed informant interviews, cog­nitive interviews, and pilot-testing. The final survey consisted of 19 questions divided into 3 sections: respondent demographics, use of hemostatic agents, and potential clinical trial opinions. Results Of 28 surgeons, 24 (86%) participated. When asked to indicate the frequency of lysine analogue use, “never” accounted for 46% of the responses, and “rarely” (<10% of the time) accounted for 23% of the responses. Reasons for never using included “unfamiliar with benefits” and “prefer alternatives.” Fifteen surgeons (63%) felt that a trial was needed to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of lysine analogues in their cancer field. Conclusions Our survey found that lysine analogues are infrequently used during oncologic surgeries at our institution. Many surgeons are unfamiliar with the benefits and side effects of lysine analogues and, alternatively, use topical hemostatic agents. Our results demonstrate that future trials exploring the efficacy and safety of lysine analogues in oncologic surgery are needed.

Unruptured intracranial aneurysms in children: 18 years’ experience in a tertiary care pediatric institution

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel-Alexandre Bisson ◽  
Peter Dirks ◽  
Afsaneh Amirabadi ◽  
Manohar M. Shroff ◽  
Timo Krings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Internal Carotid Artery ◽  
Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Internal Carotid ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
History Of ◽  
Mean Size

OBJECTIVEThere are little data in the literature on the characteristics and natural history of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in children. The authors analyzed their experience with unruptured intracranial aneurysms in the pediatric population at their tertiary care pediatric institution over the last 18 years. The first objective was to assess the imaging characteristics and natural history of these aneurysms in order to help guide management strategies in the future. A second objective was to evaluate the frequency of an underlying condition when an incidental intracranial aneurysm was detected in a child.METHODSThe authors conducted a Research Ethics Board–approved retrospective review of incidental intracranial aneurysms in patients younger than 18 years of age who had been treated at their institution in the period from 1998 to 2016. Clinical (age, sex, syndrome) and radiological (aneurysm location, type, size, thrombus, mass effect) data were recorded. Follow-up imaging was assessed for temporal changes.RESULTSSixty intracranial aneurysms occurred in 51 patients (36 males, 15 females) with a mean age of 10.5 ± 0.5 years (range 9 months–17 years). Forty-five patients (88.2%) had a single aneurysm, while 2 and 3 aneurysms were found in 3 patients each (5.8%). Syndromic association was found in 22 patients (43.1%), most frequently sickle cell disease (10/22 [45.5%]). Aneurysms were saccular in 43 cases (71.7%; mean size 5.0 ± 5.7 mm) and fusiform in the remaining 17 (28.3%; mean size 6.5 ± 2.7 mm). Thirty-one aneurysms (51.7%) arose from the internal carotid artery (right/left 1.4), most commonly in the cavernous segment (10/31 [32.3%]). Mean size change over the entire follow-up of 109 patient-years was a decrease of 0.6 ± 4.2 mm (range −30.0 to +4.0 mm, rate −0.12 ± 9.9 mm/yr). Interval growth (2.0 ± 1.0 mm) was seen in 8 aneurysms (13.3%; 4 saccular, 4 fusiform). An interval decrease in size (8.3 ± 10.7 mm) was seen in 6 aneurysms (10%). There was an inverse relationship between aneurysm size and growth rate (r = −0.82, p < 0.00001). One aneurysm was treated endovascularly with internal carotid artery sacrifice.CONCLUSIONSUnruptured pediatric intracranial aneurysms are most frequently single but can occur in multiples in a syndromic setting. None of the cases from the study period showed clinical or imaging signs of rupture. Growth over time, although unusual and slow, can occur in a proportion of these patients, who should be identified for short-term imaging surveillance.

scholarly journals Providing safe care for patients in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era: A case series evaluating risk for hospital-associated COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Elizabeth B. Habermann ◽  
Aaron J. Tande ◽  
Benjamin D. Pollock ◽  
Matthew R. Neville ◽  
Henry H. Ting ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Strict Adherence ◽  
Large Tertiary Care ◽  
Healthcare Associated ◽  
Serology Testing ◽  
Pcr Test

Abstract Objective: We evaluated the risk of patients contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during their hospital stay to inform the safety of hospitalization for a non–COVID-19 indication during this pandemic. Methods: A case series of adult patients hospitalized for 2 or more nights from May 15 to June 15, 2020 at large tertiary-care hospital in the midwestern United States was reviewed. All patients were screened at admission with the severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Selected adult patients were also tested by IgG serology. After dismissal, patients with negative serology and PCR at admission were asked to undergo repeat serologic testing at 14–21 days after discharge. The primary outcome was healthcare-associated COVID-19 defined as a new positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test on or after day 4 of hospital stay or within 7 days of hospital dismissal, or seroconversion in patients previously established as seronegative. Results: Of the 2,068 eligible adult patients, 1,778 (86.0%) completed admission PCR testing, while 1,339 (64.7%) also completed admission serology testing. Of the 1,310 (97.8%) who were both PCR and seronegative, 445 (34.0%) repeated postdischarge serology testing. No healthcare-associated COVID-19 cases were detected during the study period. Of 1,310 eligible PCR and seronegative adults, no patients tested PCR positive during hospital admission (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0%–0.3%). Of the 445 (34.0%) who completed postdischarge serology testing, no patients seroconverted (0.0%; 95% CI, 0.0%–0.9%). Conclusion: We found low likelihood of hospital-associated COVID-19 with strict adherence to universal masking, physical distancing, and hand hygiene along with limited visitors and screening of admissions with PCR.

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