Category: Federal Forum Posters
Purpose: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes that inappropriately documented allergies to penicillins can lead to higher healthcare costs, increased risk for antibiotic resistance, and suboptimal antibiotic therapy. The purpose of this study is to measure the difference between modifications made to existing allergies to penicillins in two adult care clinics and the proportion of patients with incorrectly documented penicillin allergies presenting to the outpatient pharmacy. Data will be collected before and after a pharmacy led seminar that will educate the clinic staff on the importance of thorough allergy assessment and proper documentation.
Methods: This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board. The electronic health record (EHR) and online scheduling system for the two adult care clinics will be used to screen individuals daily for inclusion into the study. Qualifying subjects must be 18 years of age or older and have an existing allergy to penicillins. Once they have been identified their EHR will be assessed to identify any modification made to their existing penicillin allergies. The following data will be collected: date, patient allergy, allergy documented correctly/incorrectly, and allergy action taken. The EHR will also be utilized to screen subjects with penicillin allergies that present to the outpatient pharmacy. Once subjects are identified a questionnaire will be completed by a pharmacist to obtain more information about each subjects’ allergy. The following data will be collected: date, allergy presence, allergy documented correctly, allergy documented in error, and nature of the error. Data will be collected for equal time lengths before and after the pharmacy-led educational seminar. All data will be recorded with patient identifiers withheld and confidentiality protected.
Results: not applicable
Conclusion: not applicable
Stephen Riley
– Pharmacist, USPHS Lawton Indian Hospital, Wichita Falls, TX146 Views