A VetCompass Australia Study of Antimicrobial Use in Dog-to-Dog Bite Wounds (1998–2018)

Although dog-to-dog bite wounds (DBW) are a common presentation to veterinary clinics, antimicrobial prescribing habits of Australian clinics have not been reported. This study determined the frequency and results of DBW cultures; antimicrobial selection; and importance class of antimicrobials prescribed relative to wound severity, geographic location, or year. A systematic sample of 72,507 patient records was retrieved from the VetCompass Australia database. Records for 1713 dog bite events involving 1655 dogs were reviewed for presenting signs, results of culture and susceptibility testing (C&S), antimicrobial treatment, geographical location, and outcome. A crossed random effects multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine if antimicrobial importance was associated with wound severity, year, and location, and to assess the differences in antimicrobial prescription between geographical locations, clinics, and veterinarians. Antimicrobials were prescribed in 86.1% of DBW. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was prescribed in 70% (1202/1713) with underdosing in 15.8% (191/1202). High-importance antimicrobial use was associated with wound severity (p < 0.001), year category (p = 0.007), and surgery (p = 0.03). C&S testing was recorded as having been performed in only one case. Differences in individual veterinarian prescribing habits were stronger than the clinic culture, suggesting that education utilizing clinic-wide antimicrobial guidelines may aid in improving antimicrobial stewardship.

95. Reduced Antibiotic Duration Defaults in Outpatient Automated Dispensing Cabinets Change Antibiotic Prescribing Habits in a Tertiary VA Healthcare System

Background Ten percent of adult, outpatient visits result in an antibiotic prescription (Rx). At the start of our intervention, our VA healthcare system consisted of 13 community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), 9 of which did not have an onsite pharmacy but utilized automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) for prepackaged outpatient Rxs. ADC antibiotic orders are generated from electronic medical record (EMR) order sets. The stewardship team shortened the durations of 5 antibiotics in the ADC order sets to make them consistent with current literature and guidelines. We assessed the impact of these changes on antibiotic prescribing habits. Methods We compared outpatient antibiotic Rx data between 10/1/2018-9/30/2019 (pre-intervention) and 10/1/19-9/30/20 (post-intervention) from 8 CBOCs with ADCs (1 closed during the pandemic). Amoxicillin-clavulanate 875/125mg (AMC), cephalexin 500mg (CPH), levofloxacin 500mg and 750mg (LEV 500 and LEV 750), and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim 800/160mg (SXT) prescription durations were all reduced by 3 days. Process metrics included days supplied/1000 prescriptions (DS/1000 Rx), median DS, and ADC utilization rates. We used Mann-Whitney U and correlation statistical analyses to assess differences and associations. Results The DS/1000 Rx of antibiotics with a default duration change decreased in the post-intervention phase for CBOCs with ADCs (AMC, -25.4%; CPH, -21.1%; LEV 500, -18.9%; LEV 750, -28.0%; SXT, -27.4%). The median DS for these antibiotics all reduced by 3 days in concordance with new ADC prescriptions defaults (AMC, 10 vs 7 days, P&lt; 0.001; CPH, 10 vs 7 days, P&lt; 0.001; LEV 500, 8 vs 5 days, P&lt; 0.001; LEV 750, 8 vs 5 days, P&lt; 0.001; SXT 10 vs 7 days, P&lt; 0.001). Due to COVID-19, 7/8 ADC CBOCs closed for in-person visits from 3/20/20-5/4/20. ADC utilization was inversely proportional to DS/1000 Rx for most antibiotics (R: -0.51 to -0.77) except SXT. Conclusion EMR-driven reductions in ADC default Rx durations led to a corresponding decrease in overall outpatient antibiotic prescribing. Higher DS/1000 Rx were often associated with lower ADC utilization. Informatics-driven antibiotic interventions may be potential outpatient stewardship tools to increase guideline-concordant prescribing across multisite healthcare systems. Disclosures Sharanie Sims, PharmD, AbbVie (formerly Allergan) (Speaker’s Bureau)

The effect of an electronic medical record intervention on hydroxychloroquine prescribing habits and surveyed providers’ opinions of the 2016 American Academy of Ophthalmology guidelines in the rheumatology and dermatology practices of an academic institutionle

Background Retinal toxicity is a rare adverse event related to the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). To address this, in 2016, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) issued guidelines recommending that HCQ not exceed 5 mg/kg/day. We analyzed HCQ prescribing habits at our institution, compared to these guidelines, and used surveys to determine the opinions on these guidelines. We then introduced, in a prospective and non-controlled study, a clinical decision support (CDS) tool into the electronic medical record (EMR) to study how this intervention might affect adherence with or opinions on these guidelines. Methods Data were collected pre-intervention (June 2017–January 2019) and post-intervention (March 2019–April 2020). In January 2019 we released our CDS tool. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics for demographic data and Fisher’s exact tests for comparisons of proportions between groups. Results Pre-intervention, we reviewed 1128 rheumatology charts and 282 dermatology charts. 31.0 and 39.7% respectively (32.8% combined) were prescribed HCQ > 5 .0 mg/kg/day. Post-intervention, we reviewed 1161 rheumatology charts and 110 dermatology charts. 23.0 and 25.5% respectively (23.2% combined) were prescribed HCQ > 5.0 mg/kg/day. Post-intervention, 9.6% fewer patients were prescribed HCQ > 5 mg/kg/day (P < .001). Pre-intervention, we compiled 18 rheumatology surveys and 12 dermatology surveys. Post-intervention, we compiled 16 rheumatology surveys and 12 dermatology surveys. Post-intervention, fewer rheumatologists incorrectly described the AAO weight-based guidelines. Combined, there was an overall reduction but not of statistical significance (P = .47). The majority of providers surveyed believed that the CDS tool was useful (72.2%). Conclusions At our academic institution, there remains unfamiliarity with and hesitation to comply with the 2016 AAO guidelines. Prescribed doses often exceed what is recommended in these guidelines. A CDS tool can improve adherence with these guidelines and might improve providers’ familiarity with these guidelines.

Trends in Opioid Prescribing by County Following Pennsylvania PDMP Implementation.

Background: The opioid epidemic has hit all corners of the United States but has disproportionately affected geographical areas to varying extents over the last thirty years. Rural areas have had higher rates of opioid prescribing than urban areas. However, urban counties have higher rates of opioid overdose deaths than rural counties. This study aims to outline the trends in opioid prescribing between rural and urban counties in the state of Pennsylvania since the implementation of a statewide prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP).Methods: Data pertaining to opioid prescribing habits as listed below were obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Health who administers the PDMP in Pennsylvania. Study data that were of interest and provided by the PDMP were: Drug name, quantity of prescriptions, average daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME), and days supplied. Urban and Rural categorizations were provided by The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a legislative agency of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The timeline for this study analyses began from Q1 2017 through Q1 2020. T-tests were used to compare the county informationResults: Opioid prescriptions from 2017 to 2020 decreased on average by 35% (SD= 0.13) in rural counties and 33% (SD= 0.10) in urban counties (P= 0.114). Change in average daily MME was 0.13 (SD=0.06) in the rural group and 0.14 (SD=0.03, p=0.229). Days supplied per prescription showed no significant changes between rural and urban counties with regards to; less than 3 days, 4-7 days, 8-21 days, and 31+ days. A significant decrease was seen in the 22–30-day subgroup between the rural (0.36 SD=0.08) and urban counties (0.31 SD=0.04 p=0.003).Conclusion: No significant changes were seen in the decline of opioid prescribing habits between rural and urban counties in Pennsylvania from 2017 to 2020. This compounds on similar state-specific studies showing no significant difference in the rate of decline between rural and urban counties.

Latvian Primary Care Management of Children with Acute Infections: Antibiotic-Prescribing Habits and Diagnostic Process Prior to Treatment

Background and Objectives: Primary care physicians frequently prescribe antibiotics for acutely ill children, even though they usually have self-limiting diseases of viral etiology. The aim of this research was to evaluate the routine antibiotic-prescribing habits of primary care in Latvia, in response to children presenting with infections. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included acutely ill children who consulted eighty family physicians (FP) in Latvia, between November 2019 and May 2020. The data regarding patient demographics, diagnoses treated with antibiotics, the choice of antibiotics and the use of diagnostic tests were collected. Results: The study population comprised 2383 patients aged between one month and 17 years, presenting an acute infection episode, who had a face-to-face consultation with an FP. Overall, 29.2% of these patients received an antibiotic prescription. The diagnoses most often treated with antibiotics were otitis (45.8% of all antibiotic prescriptions), acute bronchitis (25.0%) and the common cold (14.8%). The most commonly prescribed antibiotics were amoxicillin (55.9% of prescriptions), amoxicillin/clavulanate (18.1%) and clarithromycin (11.8%). Diagnostic tests were carried out for 59.6% of children presenting with acute infections and preceded 66.4% of antibiotic prescriptions. Conclusion: Our data revealed that a high level of antibiotic prescribing for self-limiting viral infections in children continues to occur. The underuse of narrow-spectrum antibiotics and suboptimal use of diagnostic tests before treatment decision-making were also identified. To achieve a more rational use of antibiotics in primary care for children with a fever, professionals and parents need to be better educated on this subject, and diagnostic tests should be used more extensively, including the implementation of daily point-of-care testing.

Impact of an Educational Intervention on the Opioid Knowledge and Prescribing Behaviors of Resident Physicians

Background The opioid epidemic is a multifactorial issue, which includes pain mismanagement. A recent study has shown that residents have received little training for opioid related patient care. Therefore, resident physician education is essential in addressing this issue. We aimed to analyze the effects of an educational intervention on the knowledge and potential prescribing habits of emergency medicine, general surgery, and internal medicine residents. Methods Resident physicians were provided with educational materials and were given pre- and posttests to complete. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze pre- and posttest responses. Chi-squared analysis was used to identify changes between the pre and posttests. A p < 0.05 value was considered statistically significant. Results Following the educational intervention, we observed improvement in correct prescribing habits for acute migraine management among emergency medicine residents (from 14.8–38.5%). Among general surgery residents, there was significant improvement in adherence to narcotic amounts determined by recent studies for sleeve gastrectomy (p = 0.01) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p = 0.002). Additionally, we observed a decrease in the number of residents who would use opioids as a first line treatment for migraines, arthritic joint pain, and nephrolithiasis. Conclusions Resident physicians have an essential role in combating the opioid epidemic. There was significant improvement in various aspects of opioid related pain management among emergency medicine, internal medicine, and general surgery residents following the educational interventions. We recommend that medical school and residency programs consider including opioid related pain management in their curricula.