Schreier, Diana J.

Abstract Background Doxycycline is a frequently used alternative treatment for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in hospitalized patients; however, the evidence base is limited. We aimed to compare outcomes in CAP patients treated with doxycycline or azithromycin in combination with beta-lactams. Methods We evaluated patients with CAP admitted to Mayo Clinic hospitals from May 2018 to September 2022 and treated with either azithromycin or doxycycline in combination with a beta-lactam. Patients who received both antibiotics or were on either antibiotic as chronic therapy prior to admission were excluded. The primary outcome was mortality. Patients were 1-to-1 matched according to the presence of congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, human immunodeficiency virus infection, recent immunosuppressant use, and pneumonia severity index class. Results Among 8492 patients (5810 for azithromycin, 2682 for doxycycline), 2671 doxycycline-treated patients were matched with azithromycin-treated patients. In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in the azithromycin group than in the doxycycline group (odds ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], .56–.9), as was 90-day mortality (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, .73–.95). Patients on azithromycin also had significantly more hospital-free days (HFDs) than those on doxycycline (estimate, 1.37; 95% CI, .99–1.74). Conclusions Among hospitalized patients with CAP, azithromycin was associated with lower mortality and more HFDs compared with doxycycline in combination with beta-lactams. Randomized, controlled trials are needed to assess the effectiveness of each regimen and to compare their potential side effects.

Abstract Objectives Since the 1970s, a plethora of tools have been introduced to support the medication use process. However, automation initiatives to assist pharmacists in prospectively reviewing medication orders are lacking. The review of many medications may be protocolized and implemented in an algorithmic fashion utilizing discrete data from the electronic health record (EHR). This research serves as a proof of concept to evaluate the capability and effectiveness of an electronic prospective medication order review (EPMOR) system compared to pharmacists’ review. Materials and methods A subset of the most frequently verified medication orders were identified for inclusion. A team of clinical pharmacist experts developed best-practice EPMOR criteria. The established criteria were incorporated into conditional logic built within the EHR. Verification outcomes from the pharmacist (human) and EPMOR (automation) were compared. Results Overall, 13 404 medication orders were included. Of those orders, 13 133 passed pharmacist review, 7388 of which passed EPMOR. A total of 271 medication orders failed pharmacist review due to order modification or discontinuation, 105 of which passed EPMOR. Of the 105 orders, 19 were duplicate orders correctly caught by both EPMOR and pharmacists, but the opposite duplicate order was rejected, 51 orders failed due to scheduling changes. Discussion This simulation was capable of effectively discriminating and triaging orders. Protocolization and automation of the prospective medication order review process in the EHR appear possible using clinically driven algorithms. Conclusion Further research is necessary to refine such algorithms to maximize value, improve efficiency, and minimize safety risks in preparation for the implementation of fully automated systems.

Abstract Background Post-discharge culture and susceptibility review has been described in emergency department and urgent care settings, but there is a lack of published literature describing culture review after acute care hospitalizations. Awaiting microbiology results can impede timely patient discharge. However, discharging patients while microbiology results are pending may result in suboptimal therapy or lost opportunity for additional testing/follow up. We implemented an antimicrobial stewardship effort to identify microbiology tests that result post-discharge utilizing a custom report in the electronic medical record (EMR). Methods. This retrospective descriptive study included adult patients ( >18 years of age) at 4 sites within Mayo Clinic from 1/1/2019 to 2/28/2023. Eligible patients had a hospitalization with an ID consult and an abnormal culture that was reviewed by an antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist after discharge. Urine cultures were excluded. The details of pharmacist-initiated antimicrobial stewardship interventions based on the culture review were identified by an EMR based research report. Results A total of 6803 patient encounters with at least 1 microbiology result reviewed post-discharge were identified. Patients were 40% female with a median age of 62 years. Patient race was 89.8% white, 4% black/African American, 1.5% Asian, and < 1% other. Of these patients, 1983 (29%) had at least one pharmacist intervention. A total of 169 (2.5%) of these patients had multiple interventions. Interventions included modification of antimicrobial therapy, addition of susceptibility testing, or additional follow up (labs, imaging, or patient visits). Median time from culture update to pharmacist review was 27.2 hours. Median length of hospital stay was 5 days and discharge disposition was home with self care (65%), home with home health or hospice (22.7%), or discharge to another acute care or skilled nursing facility (12.3%). Conclusion Outpatient review of post-discharge culture updates utilizing EMR reporting led to substantial interventions impacting antimicrobial treatments. Disclosures Christina G. Rivera (O'Connor), Pharm.D, Gilead Sciences: Advisor/Consultant|Gilead Sciences: Board Member|Gilead Sciences: Grant/Research Support|Gilead Sciences: Honoraria

Background: Data are controversial regarding nephrotoxicity risk with vancomycin plus piperacillin–tazobactam (VPT) compared to vancomycin alone or in combination with other beta-lactams (BLs) in acute care use. Furthermore, data are lacking on the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) with long-term use of VPT including outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT). Methods: This retrospective study included 826 adult patients on an intravenous vancomycin plus BL for ⩾2 weeks, including cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam, ertapenem, or meropenem, from August 2017 to January 2022. The primary outcome was incidence of AKI. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were conducted to adjust for confounding variables. A secondary analysis based on the propensity score (PS)-matched cohort was performed. Results: AKI occurred in 14.4% of patients in the VPT group ( n = 15/104) compared to 5.5% in the other BL group ( n = 40/722) ( p < 0.001). Average time to AKI from start of combination therapy was 9.4 (1.7–12.0) days in the VPT group and 10.9 (5–22.7) days in the other BL group ( p = 0.20). The median duration of vancomycin and BL in the overall cohort was approximately 1 month. Beyond BL selection, patient characteristics were not associated with AKI other than the receipt of concomitant acyclovir [hazard ratio (HR) 2.48 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.33–4.65), p = 0.004]. In the PS-matched cohort, AKI occurred in 14.4% of patients in the VPT group ( n = 15/104) and 5.3% in the other BL group ( n = 11/208) ( p = 0.006). Receipt of VPT [HR: 2.55 (1.36–4.78), p = 0.004] and acyclovir [HR: 2.38 (1.19–4.74), p = 0.014) remained significantly associated with AKI in the multivariable model. Conclusion: Clinicians should exercise caution when using VPT for >2 weeks, including in the OPAT setting, even when no renal dysfunction is observed during the initial week of combination therapy.

Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the most common cause of preventable mortality following colorectal surgery (CRS), occurring in about 2% of patients. As a result, prophylaxis including discharge chemoprophylaxis is recommended. While VTE risk assessment tools are available, the consistent adoption and utilization of these tools remains elusive. Our study objectives were to determine the utilization and impact of risk adjusted VTE prophylaxis in CRS patients. Study Design CRS cases performed between 1/1/2016 and 5/31/2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Caprini score and implemented VTE prophylaxis measures were determined. The primary outcome measure was receiving Caprini guideline indicated VTE prophylaxis. Secondary outcomes included VTE and bleeding. Categorical variables were compared by chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, and continuous variables by Kruskal-Wallis test. Logistic regression models were used to determine predictors of receiving appropriate VTE prophylaxis or experiencing postoperative VTE and bleeding. Results 10,422 CRS cases were analyzed and 90.6% were high risk for VTE. In-hospital appropriate prophylaxis rates in low, moderate, high, and very high-risk category patients were 91.2%, 56.1%, 61.0%, and 63.1%, respectively. Inpatient VTE was reduced by 75% in those receiving appropriate VTE prophylaxis. At discharge, 5.8% of patients received appropriate prophylaxis, in whom there were no VTE events at 30- and 90 days from discharge. Increasing Caprini score positively correlated with VTE risk in both the inpatient and discharge cohorts, but inversely correlated with the likelihood of receiving appropriate prophylaxis at discharge (OR .31, P <.0001). Conclusion Caprini guideline indicated VTE prophylaxis in CRS patients reduced VTE events without increasing bleeding complications.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) survivors are at heightened risk for poor short- and long-term health outcomes. Even among those who recover after an AKI episode, the risk for chronic kidney disease is 4- to 6-fold higher than in patients without AKI, underscoring the importance of identifying methods to improve AKI survivorship. Objective: The purpose of this report was to describe the development and feasibility of a novel multidisciplinary approach to caring for AKI survivors at care transitions (ACT). Design: Observational process improvement initiative. Setting: Single academic medical center in the United States. Patients: The studied population was adults with stage 3 AKI not discharging on dialysis who were established with a primary care provider (PCP) at our institution. Methods: An electronic health record tool was developed prior to implementation to identify AKI survivors. The ACT program encompassed engaging patients in the hospital, delivering education by nephrology-trained nurses before discharge, completing recommended laboratory testing after discharge, and conducting structured kidney-focused follow-up with a pharmacist and a PCP within 7 to 14 days after discharge. Patients could be referred for nephrology evaluation at the discretion of the PCP. Results: Preliminary data demonstrated that most AKI survivors of interest could be identified, educated, and followed up with this model. This strategy appeared feasible, scalable, and maximized the unique expertise of each member of the multidisciplinary team. Limitations: Small sample size, future assessment of process, clinical, and patient-reported outcomes needed. Conclusions: The multidisciplinary ACT workflow supported by clinical decision support was feasible and addressed gaps in existing care transition models. Team-based care delivery in primary care appears to be a mechanism to extend the capacity for kidney health monitoring for AKI survivors.