Reported Beta-Lactam Allergies: More Harm Than Good?

In a prospective study, hospitalized patients with β-lactam allergies who did not receive the preferred β-lactam therapy had significantly more adverse events than those given a β-lactam despite their allergic history.

An important part of antimicrobial stewardship is documenting and correctly confirming β-lactam allergies in patients requiring antibiotic therapy. However, the majority of reported adverse events are actually misclassified as allergy. Avoiding an otherwise-indicated β-lactam antibiotic under such circumstances could be associated with increased risk for a negative outcome.

To compare the potential harm from a β-lactam allergy with harm caused by using an alternative drug, internal medicine residents at three Toronto hospitals performed a study from April 2014 to January 2015 in all patients seen by the infectious diseases service as part of a division-wide, trainee-led quality improvement project.

Among 507 patients who received antibiotic t…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

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Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Reported Beta-Lactam Allergies: More Harm Than Good?

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Reviewing Author