SPOTLIGHT -
Antimicrobial Stewardship After Patient Discharge Is Lacking
Among community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) outpatients, 49% were prescribed unnecessary antibiotics.
Read More
Outcomes of Monoclonal Antibody Treatment in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
Leveraging antimicrobial stewardship programs was crucial to ensure COVID-19 hospital inpatients received monoclonal antibody therapy quickly and safely.
The Importance of Antimicrobial Stewardship in Patients Coinfected with COVID-19 and Sepsis
To reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance, rapid laboratory diagnostics are needed to identify the pathogens in hospital patients with COVID-19 and sepsis.
Challenges in HIV Management and Therapy
A discussion on issues surrounding the treatment of HIV with Melissa Badowski, PharmD, MPH.
How Pharmacist-led Interventions Can Improve Discharge Antibiotic Use
A conversation on antimicrobial stewardship with Kushal Naik, PharmD, MBA.
Monoclonal Antibody Being Developed for Treatment and Prevention of COVID-19, Variants
An investigational therapy demonstrated neutralizing antibodies as well as protection against the virus in preclinical trials.
The Burden of Clostridioides Difficile
A study looked at hospital admissions of Medicare patients and saw a large percentage of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections (rCDI) as the primary diagnosis.
Mandatory Stop Dates, Indication Documentation Do Not Impact Length of Antibiotic Therapy
No difference was observed in any of the outcomes and there was no impact on the duration of therapy.
Evaluating Safety and Efficacy Protocols of Graded Dose Challenge and Desensitization
GDC and DSENS were both seen to be safe and effective tools to optimize therapy in the study participants.
Shorter Prescription Stop Dates Do Not Influence Antibiotic Treatment Duration
An effort to increase stewardship showed that 5-day and 10-day prescription stop dates for antibiotics did little to influence actual therapy length and outcomes.
Developing a Severity Score to Better Assess COVID-19
A diagnostic analyzer was studied looking at 3 biomarkers to predict the level of COVID-19, and could potentially serve as a risk stratification tool.
Antibiotic Prescribing, Guideline Adherence May Vary by Care Setting
An assessment from the Cleveland Clinic shows prescribing concordant to guidelines can exceed 60% in certain facilities.
Antimicrobial Stewardship Opportunities in Non-Neutropenic Oncology Patients
Almost half of the participants in the study had an opportunity to improve their antibiotic regimen.
Effectiveness of a Pediatric Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in a Community Hospital
The pilot program was demonstrated to significantly reduce days of antibiotic therapy.
Pharmacist-led Intervention to Improve Antibiotic Use at Hospital Discharge
More than half of the pharmacist led interventions were accepted by providers during the intervention period.
Impact of COVID-19 on Outpatient Daily Life
A majority of the study participants experienced symptoms that interfered with activities of their daily life.
Understanding Recurrent Clostridioides Difficile Infection and Hospitalization
A large retrospective analysis of Medicare patients offers a glimpse of the incidence rates of this patient population and the burdens associated with it.
Tocilizumab Could Treat Cytokine Release Syndrome in Severe COVID-19 Patients
The IL-6 targeting monoclonal antibody is linked to improved inflammatory and hemodynamic markers in hospitalized patients.
Assessing Antimicrobial Stewardship Interventions on Discharge Antibiotic Regimens
Interventions implemented by pharmacists were more likely to be accepted by prescribers.
Fidaxomicin, Vancomycin Provide Similar C Difficile Initial Cure, Mortality Rates
A meta-analysis suggest the 2 first-line C diff therapies provide similar outcomes, yet differ in recurrent infection risk.
Utilizing an EMR to Increase Infectious Disease Consultations
Study finds communicating on Electronic Medical Record (EMR) led to follow-up with infectious disease providers.
Identifying Associated Risk Factors for Persistent Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcal Bacteremia
In-hospital mortality and recurrent bacteremia occurred in 58% and 17% of patients with persistent VRE BSIs.
Pharmacist-Led Flu Shot Screening Leads to Improved Community Immunization
A concerted effort to increase flu vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in more protection among a high-risk population, as well as educational opportunities for pharmacy students.
Evaluating the Efficacy of Daptomycin and Ceftaroline for the Treatment of MRSAB
Rates of in-hospital mortality and days with bacteremia were similar between the two study cohorts.
Eravacycline Realizes Successful Clinical Endpoint in OPAT Facilities
The antibacterial is efficacious in a majority of patients in a small study.
Antibiotic Scorecards Lead to More Appropriate Prescribing
Antimicrobial stewardship education was conducted with de-identified provider-specific prescribing scorecards.
Next Steps for Research on Gram-Negative Skin Infections
Glenn Tillotson, PhD, discusses possible avenues for future research on gram-negative skin infections and inappropriate empiric therapy.
Decreasing Patient Exposure to Vancomycin
Matthew Girgis, PharmD, PGY-2, discusses why it's advantageous to decrease patient exposure to vancomycin.
Why ID? Experts Share The 'Why' That Drove Them to Pursue Infectious Disease Careers
We asked providers in the field why they pursued a career in infectious disease.
Inappropriate Empiric Therapy as a Driver of Poor Outcomes
Glenn Tillotson, PhD, explains how inappropriate empiric therapy can drive poor outcomes.