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ABSTRACTAntibiotic selection is challenging in patients with severe β-lactam allergy due to declining reliability of alternate antibiotics. Organisms isolated from these patients may exhibit unique resistance phenotypes. The objective of this study was to determine which alternate antibiotics or combinations provide adequate empirical therapy for patients with β-lactam allergy who develop Gram-negative infections at our institution. We further sought to determine the effects of risk factors for drug resistance on empirical adequacy. A retrospective analysis was conducted for adult patients hospitalized from September 2009 to May 2010 who had a severe β-lactam allergy and a urine, blood, or respiratory culture positive for a Gram-negative organism and who met predefined criteria for infection. Patient characteristics, culture and susceptibility data, and predefined risk factors for antibiotic resistance were collected. Adequacies of β-lactam and alternate antibiotics were compared for all infections and selected subsets. The primary outcome was adequacy of each alternate antibiotic or combination for all infections. One hundred sixteen infections (40 pneumonias, 67 urinary tract infections, and 9 bacteremias) were identified. Single alternate agents were adequate less frequently than β-lactams and combination regimens. Only in cases without risk factors for resistance did single-agent regimens demonstrate acceptable adequacy rates; each factor conferred a doubling of risk for resistance. Resistance risk factors should be considered in selecting empirical antibiotics for Gram-negative pathogens in patients unable to take β-lactams due to severe allergy.

Leclercia adecarboxylatais an infrequently reported pathogen, typically encountered in immunocompromised patients. Previous literature has demonstrated the predilection of this pathogen for immunocompromised patients. In the rare cases of infection in immunocompetent patients, water exposure typically preceded the soft tissue infection. No case report has been published with L. adecarboxylatacausing osteomyelitis of the lower extremity. In this case report, we describe an immunocompetent patient who developed L. adecarboxylataosteomyelitis in the lower extremity after stepping on a wooden pallet.

The financial impact of an antimicrobial stewardship program in operation for more than 11 years was determined by calculating the reduction in antimicrobial expenditures minus program labor costs. Depending on the method of inflation adjustment used, the program was associated with average cost savings of $920,070 to $2,064,441 per year.

Background:Antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) have traditionally focused on inpatient prescribing, but they are now mandated to involve ambulatory settings. We developed and tested an educational tool in resident physicians to empower outpatient providers to perform self-reflection stewardship (SRS) to improve their antibiotic use. Results of the first SRS workshop are reported. Methods:A 90-minute SRS workshop focusing on the evaluation and management of sinusitis in ambulatory care was developed for PGY 2-3 internal medicine residents. Participants received a 15-minute didactic on the evaluation and management of adults with sinusitis, including typical microbiology, differentiation of bacterial sinusitis, and guideline recommendations on antibiotic treatment. In a computer lab, participants were instructed how to review charts of patients they had treated with antibiotics for sinusitis during the past year using the SlicerDicer application in Epic. Over 1 hour, they worked in pairs to complete and discuss a self-reflection inventory for 5 patients from each of their respective reviews. They evaluated pertinent history, comorbidities, presenting symptoms and signs, diagnostic testing performed, and a self-assessment of the subsequent antibiotic prescribing, including appropriateness of using an antibiotic, antibiotic choice and duration. In addition, they reflected on potential patient and prescriber challenges. Residents then identified common themes and developed a personal improvement plan for antibiotic prescribing for sinusitis. The last 15 minutes were spent debriefing with ASP faculty on reasons for overprescription of antibiotics for URIs and individual improvement plans. Residents completed workshop evaluations using a Likert scale and open-ended comments. Results:In total, 26 residents participated. All (100%) agreed or strongly agreed that the SRS workshop improved their understanding of how to obtain data on their own practice habits. Moreover, 23 (88%) agreed or strongly agreed that the workshop improved their understanding of when to prescribe antibiotics and how to practice antibiotic stewardship in the outpatient setting. Also, 20 participants (77%) agreed or strongly agreed that the SRS workshop helped them gain insight into reasons why they might overprescribe antibiotics in the outpatient setting. Furthermore, 25 (96%) agreed or strongly agreed that the SRS workshop helped them identify at least 1 way they could improve their antibiotic prescribing in the outpatient setting. Conclusions:The SRS workshop was well received by residents and offers a tool to empower primary care resident physicians to access their own antibiotic prescribing data, perform a structured self-reflection, and enhance their understanding of antibiotic stewardship in the ambulatory setting. SRS is a potential tool to improve ambulatory antibiotic use.Disclosures:NoneFunding:None