A research of long-term care (LTC) amenities in Massachusetts discovered that residents with a documented penicillin allergy have been 95% much less prone to obtain beta-lactam antibiotics, researchers reported yesterday in Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology.
For the research, researchers from Tufts College and the Massachusetts Division of Public Well being analyzed information on antibiotic prescriptions and penicillin allergic reactions at 20 LTC amenities throughout the state. The purpose of the research was to measure the affect of documented penicillin allergic reactions on the prescribing patterns of beta-lactam antibiotics in LTC amenities, the place an estimated 50% to 75% of residents obtain not less than on antibiotic yearly. Earlier analysis has proven that penicillin allergy labels are incessantly inaccurate and can lead to the collection of broader-spectrum antibiotics, which contribute to antimicrobial resistance and have an elevated danger of uncomfortable side effects.
“Inaccurate penicillin allergy labeling poses a crucial well being menace on this susceptible inhabitants as a result of older people are extra prone to mortality from multidrug-resistant infections and hostile results from broad-spectrum antibiotics,” the research authors wrote.
Penicillin allergy delabeling efforts wanted in LTCs
Amongst 2,345 LTC residents, 449 (19.1%) acquired an antibiotic, and 156 of the antibiotic recipients (34.7%) had a documented penicillin allergy. The first indications for antibiotic prescriptions have been urinary tract infections (UTIs) (45.4%), respiratory tract infections (RTIs) (29.2%), and pores and skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) (18.5%). Beta-lactams accounted for 45.5% of all antibiotic prescriptions.
Inaccurate penicillin allergy labeling poses a crucial well being menace on this susceptible inhabitants as a result of older people are extra prone to mortality from multidrug-resistant infections and hostile results from broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Multivariable regression evaluation revealed that residents with a documented penicillin allergy have been considerably much less prone to be receiving beta-lactam antibiotics for all infections (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03 to 0.09), UTIs (aOR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.08), RTIs (aOR, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.13), and SSTIs (aOR, 0.11; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.38).
The authors say the findings underscore the necessity to enhance penicillin allergy assessments and delabeling methods in LTC settings.
