Mara, Kristin C

Abstract Although there is a lack of data in trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) serum monitoring utility for invasive nocardial infections, therapeutic drug monitoring is widely used to optimize dosing and avoid adverse reactions that may cause treatment interruption. We retrospectively reviewed all adults who received TMP-SMX to treat nocardial brain abscess and had SMX serum level testing from 2010 to 2020. Twenty-two patients received treatment with TMP-SMX for Nocardia species brain abscess and 16 (72.7%) had a reported SMX level, with a median patient age of 65.5 years (interquartile range, IQR 59.5–72.5). Compared to those who did not have a documented SMX serum level, patients with SMX levels had a shorter median course of TMP-SMX treatment (322 days [IQR 188–365] vs. 365 [IQR 224–365]; P = .31) and higher therapeutic induction dose (10 [62.5%] vs. 3 [50%]; P = .92). Similarly, they were more frequently on hemodialysis (3 [13.6%] vs. 1 [4.5%]; P = > .99). The median peak level was 158.5 (IQR 120–218) μg/mL, collected at 2 hours (75%) post-administration in the induction phase (81.3%). Patients with documented SMX levels had fewer reported drug toxicity (5 [31.3%] vs. 4 [66.7%]; P = .1) than those without SMX levels. Among the five patients who reported TMP-SMX-related toxicity, 4 (80%) had an SMX peak level >150 μg/mL. There was no difference in the cure, relapse, and death rates among the two groups. While SMX level was not associated with Nocardia species brain abscess cure rates and mortality, most patients with SMX peak >150 μg/mL experienced drug toxicity.

Abstract Background In 2018, the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at our institution adopted updated daptomycin Enterococcus–susceptible dose-dependent breakpoints. While the introduction of susceptible dose-dependent (SDD) was intended to guide practice toward optimal dosing, the understanding and application of daptomycin SDD breakpoints for enterococci were unknown. Methods This mixed-methods study combined a clinician survey with a retrospective pre–post prescribing analysis. An 8-question survey was distributed to infectious diseases (ID) and internal medicine (IM) clinicians. A retrospective chart review of hospitalized adults with infections due to Enterococcus spp. was conducted before (pre-SDD) and after (post-SDD) adoption of SDD reporting for enterococci. Results Survey response rates were 40 of 98 (41%) for IM and 22 of 34 (65%) for ID clinicians. ID clinicians scored significantly higher than IM clinicians in knowledge of SDD. Chart review of 474 patients (225 pre- vs 249 post-SDD) showed that daptomycin dosage following susceptibility testing was significantly higher post-SDD compared with pre-SDD (8.5 mg/kg vs 6.4 mg/kg; P < .001) with no difference in empiric dosing (6.3 mg/kg vs 6.2 mg/kg; P = .67). Definitive daptomycin use varied between the pre- and post-SDD periods (35.1% vs 16.9%; P < .001). Conclusions The survey revealed that ID clinicians placed more importance on and had more confidence in the SDD category over IM clinicians. SDD reporting was associated with a change in definitive daptomycin dosing. ID specialist involvement is recommended in the care of infections due to enterococci for which daptomycin is reported as SDD given their expertise.

Background Sedatives are frequently administered in an ICU and are often dependent on patient population and ICU type. These differences may affect patient-centered outcomes. Objective Our primary objective was to identify differences in sedation practice among three different ICU types at an academic medical center. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of adult patients (≥18 years) requiring a continuous sedative for ≥6 h and admitted to a medical ICU, surgical ICU, and medical/surgical ICU at a single academic medical center in Rochester Minnesota from June 1, 2018 to May 31, 2020. We extracted baseline characteristics; sedative type, dose, and duration; concomitant therapies; and patient outcomes. Summary statistics are presented. Results A total of 2154 patients met our study criteria (1010 from medical ICU, 539 from surgical ICU, 605 from medical/surgical ICU). Propofol was the most frequently used sedative in all ICU settings (74.1% in medical ICU, 53.8% in surgical ICU, 68.9% in medical/surgical ICU, and 67.5% in all ICUs). The mortality rate was highest in the medical/surgical ICU (40.2% in medical ICU, 26.0% in surgical ICU, 40.7% in medical/surgical ICU, and 36.8% in all ICUs). 90.7% of all patients required mechanical ventilation (92.9% in medical ICU, 88.5% in surgical ICU, and 89.1% in medical/surgical ICU). Overall, patients spent more time in light sedation than deep sedation, 75% versus 10.3%, during their ICU admission. Patients in the medical ICU spent a greater proportion of time positive for delirium than the other ICU settings (35.7% in medical ICU, 9.8% in surgical ICU, and 20% in medical/surgical ICU). Similar amounts of opioids (morphine milligram equivalents) were used during the continuous sedative infusion between the three settings. Conclusions We observed that patients in the medical ICU spent more time deeply sedated with multiple agents which was associated with a higher proportion of delirium.

BACKGROUND Cutaneous melanoma is strongly associated with tanning bed use. OBJECTIVE To describe local residents' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding skin cancer and tanning bed use and to estimate prevalence of high risk for melanoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS A survey was mailed to 886 local residents (549, aged 18–39 years; 337, aged ≥40 years). Logistic and linear regression and univariate and multivariable analysis were used to assess perceived risk and skin cancer knowledge. RESULTS The response rate was 21%; 55% of the younger group and 37% of the older group had used indoor tanning, and prevalence of high risk for melanoma according to a skin cancer risk calculator was 18% in the younger group and 33% in the older group. Individuals with high risk scores were more likely to correctly perceive that they were at high risk for skin cancer. Most participants with high risk scores and those who previously used tanning beds reported low likelihood of future indoor tanning. CONCLUSION Female sex, high risk score, and previous indoor tanning were associated with participants' views of higher skin cancer risk. No specific knowledge gaps were identified. Understanding community residents' attitudes about skin cancer and indoor tanning can help guide interventions.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of burnout among hematology-oncology pharmacists and factors associated with an increased risk of high burnout. METHODS: Between October and November 2020, members of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association were invited to complete an anonymous survey. Questions included the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Well-Being Index, and sociodemographic and occupational factors linked with burnout. RESULTS: Of 3,024 pharmacists contacted, 614 pharmacists (20.3%) responded to an online survey and 550 (18.2% of overall sample) completed the MBI and were included for analysis. Overall, high levels of burnout were observed in 61.8% of respondents based on the MBI, with 57.9% of respondents scoring high on the emotional exhaustion domain and 31.3% high in the depersonalization domain. Pharmacists with burnout worked on average 48.6 (±9.6) hours per week compared with 44.5 (±9.6) hours per week for those without high burnout and spent more time on administrative tasks per week (7.5 hours v 4.3 hours; all P < .001). Pharmacists reporting high burnout were more likely to report concern they had made a major medication error within the past 3 months (27.6% v 8.1%; P < .001) and greater intent to leave their current job within 2 years (60.3% v 19.0%; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Burnout is prevalent among hematology-oncology pharmacists and may affect both patient safety and the adequacy of the workforce. Risk factors for burnout among hematology-oncology pharmacists in this study may be targets for burnout mitigation and prevention strategies to reduce the impact on pharmacists and improve cancer care for patients.

Abstract Objectives Despite low rates of bacterial coinfection in patients admitted with COVID-19, antimicrobials are frequently prescribed. Our primary objective was to evaluate antimicrobial prescribing over time in patients admitted with COVID-19. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the role of ID providers in antimicrobial utilization, describe the rate of confirmed bacterial infection and determine factors associated with empirical antimicrobial prescribing in COVID-19. Materials and methods Retrospective review was performed for adult patients admitted to a tertiary care centre with COVID-19 between 1 March 2020 and 30 November 2020. Patient demographics, disease severity, risk factors for severe disease, clinical outcomes, antimicrobial prescribing and respiratory microbiological testing were collected and analysed. Prescribing trends were evaluated by month, and factors contributing to prescribing were established using univariate and multivariable analysis. Results Antibiotics were prescribed during admission in 37.9% of the study cohort, with 85.1% of patients who received antibiotics having therapy initiated within 48 h of admission. Antibiotic prescribing incidence increased with disease. Over the study period, antimicrobial prescribing rates decreased by 8.7% per month. Multivariable analysis found ICU admission, obtainment of procalcitonin values, intubation, heart failure, haemodialysis and nursing home residence were associated with empirical antimicrobial prescribing. Conclusions Unnecessary antimicrobial prescribing in patients with viral syndromes like COVID-19 continues to represent an area of concern. Antimicrobial stewardship efforts during COVID-19 should consider patient-specific factors associated with antibiotic prescribing. Recognition of such factors, in combination with application of well-established antimicrobial stewardship tactics, may serve to impact antimicrobial prescribing trends, even as patient volumes rise.

Objective: To determine the clinical characteristics and prior medical and surgical treatments in women undergoing surgical excision of endometriosis for pelvic pain at a single institution. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study we identified 140 women with pathology-proven endometriosis who completed a preoperative standardized pain form and underwent surgery at an endometriosis center. Women were stratified into three groups for analysis: no prior surgery, 1 prior surgery, and 2+ prior surgeries. Results: The most common treatments used prior to seeking care were hormonal contraceptives (51.6%) and surgery (46.1%). More than half of women were diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction at time of presentation or prior to consultation. There was a significant relationship between an increasing number of surgeries (none vs 1 vs 2+) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist use (19.0% vs 27.5% vs 56.0%, p = 0.003). Though not significant, a trend was noted between increasing surgeries and opioid use (20.6% vs 30.0% vs 40.0%, p = 0.17). There was a statistically significant relationship between multiple surgeries and illicit drug use ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with pelvic pain and endometriosis who have undergone multiple surgeries are more likely to have used GnRH agonists and report illicit drug use prior to presenting to specialized care.