scholarly journals Use of Individual Pharmacokinetics to Improve Time to Therapeutic Vancomycin Trough in Pediatric Oncology Patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calvin L. Miller ◽  
S. Alexander Winans ◽  
John J. Veillette ◽  
Steven C. Forland

OBJECTIVE Optimization of vancomycin dosing is difficult in children, given rapid drug clearance and patient heterogeneity. We sought to evaluate the impact of dosing using individual pharmacokinetic parameters on time to goal trough concentration in pediatric oncology patients. METHODS A retrospective review was conducted to assess vancomycin dosing in the pediatric oncology unit at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital between January 2013 and August 2013 (standard dosing group [SDG]). These patients were compared to those in a prospective arm that used pharmacokinetic dosing (pharmacokinetic dosing group [PKG]) between March 2014 and May 2015. Outcomes included percent of patients reaching a target trough by the specified time points, number of dose adjustments, number of serum concentrations drawn, and number of patients with supratherapeutic troughs. RESULTS Of 35 patients meeting inclusion criteria for the SDG, 2 (5.7%) reached goal trough concentration by 48 hours, compared with 14 of 16 patients (87%) in the PKG (p = 0.0001). Significantly more patients reached their goal trough at each time point in the PKG. There was no difference in number of dose adjustments, but significantly more concentrations were drawn on average in the PKG (mean, 4.6 versus 3.1, p = 0.02). In the SDG and PKG, respectively, 1 patient and 3 patients had supratherapeutic trough concentrations (p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS Dosing using individual pharmacokinetic parameters led to a significant reduction in time to attain the desired vancomycin trough concentration in our pediatric oncology patients. Given the wide variation in dose requirements in this and other studies, application of patient-specific pharmacokinetics is essential to optimize vancomycin dosing in pediatric patients.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S15-S16
Author(s):  
Miguel A Minero ◽  
Asia Castro ◽  
Martha Avilés-Robles

Abstract Background Infectious processes are frequent complications presented in pediatric patients with cancer. Currently, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics induces resistance to available treatments, creating the emergence of multi-drug-resistant organisms (MDROs). Due to the impact in morbidity and mortality secondary to MDRO infection, we aimed to identify risk factors associated with mortality in infections due to MDROs in pediatric patients with cancer. Methods Case–control study nested in a prospective cohort of pediatric oncology patients with febrile neutropenia (FN) at Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez (HIMFG) in Mexico City from March 2015 to September 2017. MDRO was defined as acquired non-susceptibility to at least one agent in three or more antimicrobial categories. Patients with FN episodes who died from an infection due to MDROs were defined as cases and patients with FN episodes of an infection due to MDROs who did not die were defined as controls. Mucositis, septic shock, PICU stay, and bacterial prophylaxis (Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole) were compared between groups. Descriptive statistics was performed and Pearson χ 2 or Student’s t-test were used to compare risk factors between groups. Results A total of 929 FN episodes were documented, 44.4% episodes occurred in male patients, mean age was 7.9 years, with the population under 5 years being the most represented (68.2%). The most frequent diagnosis was acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 75% followed by rhabdomyosarcoma in 10.5% and acute myeloid leukemia in 9.6%. Prophylaxis (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) was used in 86%, mucositis was present in 9.2% of episodes. 12.1% had septic shock and 4.7% were admitted to PICU. In 148 FN episodes (15.9%) a microorganism was identified, of these 50 (33.7%) were due to an MDROs. Urinary tract infection was the most frequent site (49%), followed by bloodstream infections (47%). K. pneumoniae was the most frequent MDRO in 22.8%, followed by E. coli in 19.2% and P. aeruginosa in 14%. Septic shock was presented in 26% of MDROs infections. Overall mortality was 1.94% and only 0.86% (8) were secondary to MDROs. Of patients with MDRO isolated mortality was 30% (15/50). Mortality associated with bloodstream infection due to MDROs was 25% compared with other source of MDROs infections (3%) (P = 0.01). Septic shock was present in 40% of patients with death due to MDROs infection (P = 0.001). Conclusions In our population of children with FN episodes who had an isolated microorganism, infection due to MDROs are high (33.7%) and MDROs infection-directed mortality was as high as 30%. Bloodstream infections and septic shock were risk factors associated with mortality due to MDROs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S337-S338
Author(s):  
Meagan L Adamsick ◽  
Ronak G Gandhi ◽  
Samantha N Steiger ◽  
Monique R Bidell ◽  
Sandra B Nelson ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) is a growing area of Infectious Diseases (ID) that allows for the treatment of severe infections in the ambulatory setting. Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) incorporated inpatient ID pharmacists into the OPAT team in June 2017 to assist with vancomycin monitoring and dosing. Laboratory results were received and documented by the OPAT nurse and forwarded to the pharmacists for assessment via the electronic medical record (EMR). Pharmacists then sent clinical recommendations to the physician. This study aimed to determine the impact of pharmacists’ involvement in OPAT vancomycin management. Methods An EMR-generated report identified patients in the OPAT program from June 2016 through May 2017 as the control group and June 2017 through May 2018 as the intervention group. One hundred patients were randomly selected during each period. Patients were excluded from the intervention group if no pharmacist documentation was present. The primary outcome was to evaluate the proportion of vancomycin levels within the patient-specific goal range and secondary outcomes included the proportion of (1) pharmacists’ recommendations accepted by the ID physician and (2) patients who experienced adverse drug events. Results A total of 200 patients were evaluated. The most common indication for enrollment was osteomyelitis (46%). No differences in baseline characteristics were noted, and the median age was 67 years. The percentage of vancomycin levels within goal was significantly higher in the pharmacist-managed group compared with the control group (66.8% vs. 54.2%; P < 0.0001). The number of patients who experienced adverse drug events was similar between the two groups (39% vs. 43%; P = 0.66); however, fewer patients in the pharmacist group experienced acute kidney injury (5% vs. 13%; P = 0.08). Finally, 100% of pharmacist recommendations were accepted by ID physicians. Conclusion Leveraging inpatient ID pharmacists at MGH in the management of OPAT vancomycin provided improved percentage of vancomycin in therapeutic range and high acceptance rate of interventions. Further evaluation is necessary to assess the inpatient ID pharmacists’ workflow for implementation into other OPAT programs. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S18-S18
Author(s):  
Riyadi Adrizain ◽  
Nurmelani Sari

Abstract Background Cancer patients are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection and more likely they have higher morbidity and mortality than the general population. On the other hand, the oncology patient sometimes can show asymptomatic COVID-19 disease with a risk of longer viral shedding and spreading the infection to others immunosuppressed individuals. Oncology patients also regularly travel between hospital and sometimes lodge in boarding house for routine chemotherapy. As we known, prevention strategy for COVID-19 among pediatric oncology patients can be implemented by minimizing these risks factors for transmission by identifying all patients infected with COVID-19. Here, we report our experience before and after implementing COVID-19 testing policy of patients with hematology and oncology diseases in our center. Method We collected data of pediatric oncology patients admitted to Hasan Sadikin General hospital between July 1st, 2020 to January 8th, 2021. The data consisted of the total number of patients and COVID-19 status by using SARS-CoV-2 Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) performed in the patient during two periods. In the first period, we performed NAAT if the patient was suspected of COVID-19. In the second period, after the policy was changed, NAAT was performed routinely as screening for all oncologic patients admitted to the hospital. Results Between July 1st to December 2nd, 2020, the first period, there was 3 positive results from 36 suspected COVID-19 patients among 181 total pediatric oncology patients. In the second period, we found 8 positive results from 121 hospitalized patients, none of them had signs and symptoms of COVID-19; and 4 of them came from boarding house. Conclusion Routine screening for COVID-19 should be considered as a policy for hospitalization of a pediatric oncology patient because of the high risk that asymptomatic COVID-19 patients can transmit the infection to other patient and to health care workers in the hospital.


Author(s):  
David E Nix ◽  
Lisa E Davis ◽  
Kathryn R Matthias

Abstract Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose Prior to the 2020 release of a joint consensus guideline on monitoring of vancomycin therapy for serious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, clinicians had escalated vancomycin doses for 2 decades while targeting trough concentrations of 15 to 20 µg/mL, leading to an increased frequency of nephrotoxicity. For MRSA infections, the 2020 guideline recommends adjusting doses to achieve a 24-hour area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of 400 to 600 µg · h/mL; however, monitoring of trough concentrations has been entrenched for 3 decades. Calculating dose regimens based on AUC will require obtaining an increased number of vancomycin serum concentrations and, possibly, advanced software. The aim of this investigation was to determine the relationship between AUC and trough concentration and the influence of dosing regimen on goal achievement. Methods The relationship between trough concentration and AUC was explored through derivation of an equation based on a 1-compartment model and simulations. Results 24-hour AUC is related to dosing interval divided by half-life in a nonlinear fashion. The target trough concentration can be individualized to achieve a desired AUC range, and limiting use of large doses (&gt;15-20 mg/kg) can protect against excessive 24-hour AUC with trough-only monitoring. Conclusion After initially determining pharmacokinetic parameters, subsequent monitoring of AUC can be accomplished using trough concentrations only. Trough concentration may be used as a surrogate for AUC, although the acceptable target trough concentration will vary depending on dosing interval and elimination rate constant. This work included development of an AUC-trough equation to establish a patient-specific target for steady-state trough concentration.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 428-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manjiree V Karandikar ◽  
Carly E Milliren ◽  
Robin Zaboulian ◽  
Poornima Peiris ◽  
Tanvi Sharma ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Limited data exists regarding the effects of empiric antibiotic use in pediatric oncology patients with febrile neutropenia (FN) on the development of antibiotic resistance. We evaluated the impact of a change in our empiric FN guideline limiting vancomycin exposure on the development of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus in pediatric oncology patients. Methods Retrospective, quasi-experimental, single-center study using interrupted timeseries analysis in oncology patients aged ≤18 years with at least 1 admission for FN between 2009 and 2015. Risk strata incorporated diagnosis, chemotherapy phase, Down syndrome, septic shock, and typhlitis. Microbiologic data and inpatient antibiotic use were obtained by chart review. Segmented Poisson regression was used to compare VRE incidence and antibiotic days of therapy (DOT) before and after the intervention. Results We identified 285 patients with 697 FN episodes pre-intervention and 309 patients with 691 FN episodes postintervention. The proportion of high-risk episodes was similar in both periods (49% vs 48%). Empiric vancomycin DOT/1000 FN days decreased from 315 pre-intervention to 164 post-intervention (P &lt; .01) in high-risk episodes and from 199 to 115 in standard risk episodes (P &lt; .01). Incidence of VRE/1000 patient-days decreased significantly from 2.53 pre-intervention to 0.90 post-intervention (incidence rate ratio, 0.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.04–0.47; P = .002). Conclusions A FN guideline limiting empiric vancomycin exposure was associated with a decreased incidence of VRE among pediatric oncology patients. Antimicrobial stewardship interventions are feasible in immunocompromised patients and can impact antibiotic resistance.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S115-S116
Author(s):  
Manjiree Karandikar ◽  
Carly Milliren ◽  
Robin Zaboulian ◽  
Tanvi Sharma ◽  
Andrew Place ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 472-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay K. Coleman ◽  
Ashley S. Wilson

Background: Few studies have investigated the timing of vancomycin trough concentration collection in the inpatient setting. To date, there are no published studies on the impact of targeted nursing staff education on the appropriate timing of vancomycin trough concentration collection. Objective: To evaluate the impact of educational sessions on nursing staff knowledge regarding vancomycin and proper collection of troughs. Methods: The nursing staffs of 5 hospital units with a high volume of vancomycin usage were targeted for voluntary vancomycin educational sessions. Comprehension of the educational content was measured by a 5-question pre-/posteducation quiz. Vancomycin trough concentrations were evaluated during a 2-month period pre-/posteducation for appropriate timing of sample draw, defined as ≤45 minutes prior to the next scheduled vancomycin dose. Results: A total of 114 nurses participated in the education sessions. The mean pretest score was 3.91 and the mean posttest score was 4.89 ( P < .001). Preeducation, 69% of trough concentrations were collected appropriately. Posteducation, 74% of samples were collected within the 45-minute time frame ( P = .20). Conclusions: A significant increase in short-term comprehension regarding vancomycin was seen posteducation. There was a nonsignificant increase in appropriately timed trough concentration collection posteducation. Further education of nursing staffs may be necessary to lessen timing errors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14059-e14059
Author(s):  
John Frownfelter ◽  
Sibel Blau ◽  
Marjorie Zettler ◽  
Kelly Miller ◽  
Jonathan Kish ◽  
...  

e14059 Background: Depression is common in patients with cancer and is associated with worse cancer treatment outcomes. Depression is often underdiagnosed/treated as cancer clinicians are focused on the complex aspects of therapy and care coordination. AI has a potential application in the identification of patients at high risk for depression. Jvion has developed a prescriptive analytics solution (the Machine), which uses AI algorithms and machine learning techniques applied to combined clinical and exogenous datasets to identify patients with a propensity for poor clinical outcomes. The Machine was applied to depression risk (within next 6 months), and recommended patient-specific, dynamic, and actionable insights. While the Machine requires no additional documentation within the electronic health record (EHR) to generate its insights, those insights can be integrated back in to any EHR. Herein, we report the results of a pilot study evaluating the impact of AI-driven insights on depression screening and management at a single oncology practice. Methods: All patients were scored weekly using the Machine depression vector. The Machine risk-stratified the patients and generated recommendations for the provider to consider as they developed a care plan. Patients identified as “at risk” by the Machine were assessed for depression (PHQ-9) by the clinical team regardless of prior screening results. The rate per 1000 unique patients per month (PPM) of depression screenings, case management evaluations, and antidepressant prescriptions were calculated for the 5 months prior to and 17 months post deployment of the Machine in the practice. Results: The oncology practice has 21 providers managing an average of 4329 unique PPM. The mean rate of depression screenings increased from 6.0 per 1000 PPM pre- deployment to 16.2 per 1000 PPM post deployment (+271%). The downstream workflow outcomes of case management evaluations increased from 11.6 to 21.4 per 1000 PPM (+184%) and antidepressant prescriptions increased from 9.2 to 15.5 per 1000 PPM (+168%) pre and post-implementation respectively. The providers reported high satisfaction with the use of the AI solution in depression screening. Conclusions: This oncology practice found deployment of the Jvion AI solution to be feasible. The Machine-generated insights for depression risk were actionable, could be incorporated into workflow, and increased the number of patients identified. If confirmed in larger studies, AI-driven insights may improve the identification and management of depression in patients with cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Mercader ◽  
Timon Röttinger ◽  
Amir Bigdeli ◽  
Tim C. Lüth ◽  
Heinz Röttinger

Abstract Purpose Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is nowadays performed as a standard procedure on a large number of patients suffering from arthrosis. Replacing the knee joint causes changes in the geometry and kinematics of the knee, which are unique to each individual. This research focuses on the method to detect these changes after TKA and on the impact on the knee movement. This approach could reduce complications in patients with post-operative pain and reduce the number of revisions. Methods A 3D model of a patient’s knee was made by measuring the movement with a medically certified infrared stereo camera. This measurement was combined with the 3D model of the patient’s bones, previously segmented from the CT scan. This model is printed in 3D, one part being the mechanism that follows the movement of the patient, and the other part being the 3D copy of the femur and tibia bones. The knee replacement operation is performed directly on the model and the resulting rollback is being measured before and after TKA. Results We observe a difference in the rollback before and after TKA on the 3D printed model. The variation in size and shape of the femoral implant compared to the natural femur condyles is one of the reasons for the changes in the rollback effect. The rollback is half as large after the prosthesis insertion, which confirms the fact that the femoral prosthesis geometry influences the knee kinematics. Conclusions In this study, a first 3D model combining the patient-specific kinematic and the geometry of his bones has been constructed. This model allows the surgeon to validate the plan of the operation, but also to understand the problems and consequences generated by the prosthesis insertion. The rollback is one of the most important motion of the knee joint and this behavior could be quantified, providing comparative analysis of the knee joint before and after the operation. As a future study, the model could be used to analyse more parameters of the TKA such as the impact of different implantation methods.


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