Mary Kathryn Mannix1, Emily Polischuk2, Shamim Islam3. 1. Department of Pediatrics (MKM), Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY. 2. Department of Pharmacy (EP), John R. Oishei Children's Hospital, Buffalo, NY. 3. Department of Pediatrics (SI), Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Antibiotics are the most common class of medication prescribed in pediatrics, with the majority of prescriptions occurring in the outpatient setting. Our objective was to evaluate the accuracy of antibiotic dose, frequency, and formulation prescribed for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the pediatric ambulatory care setting. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of electronic medical records conducted at 2 suburban pediatric practices in a mid-sized metropolitan region. Encounter-related prescriptions were identified using UTI-associated International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes. Patients aged 2 months through 18 years were included if they had been prescribed an oral antibiotic for the treatment of UTI. Antibiotic dose, frequency, and formulation were considered accurate if consistent with clinical guidelines and tertiary dosing references. RESULTS: Nearly 1 in 4 prescriptions had dosing inaccuracies. The proportion of errors was highest with amoxicillin-clavulanate (75%; 9/12) and amoxicillin (52%; 33/64). The most common reasons for dosing incorrectly were "low dose" or "unnecessarily high dose." Additionally, 55% of the included prescriptions were for oral suspensions, and 1 in 4 of these were dosed incorrectly. CONCLUSIONS: Inaccuracies in antibiotic prescribing for pediatric UTI are common, including for frequently prescribed agents and oral formulations. To address these missed opportunities for stewardship in the outpatient setting, key educational sessions with providers should include reviewing optimal antibiotic dosing for uropathogens and highlighting common errors when oral suspensions are prescribed. Copyright. Pediatric Pharmacy Association. All rights reserved. For permissions, email: mhelms@pediatricpharmacy.org 2022.
OBJECTIVE: Antibiotics are the most common class of medication prescribed in pediatrics, with the majority of prescriptions occurring in the outpatient setting. Our objective was to evaluate the accuracy of antibiotic dose, frequency, and formulation prescribed for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the pediatric ambulatory care setting. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of electronic medical records conducted at 2 suburban pediatric practices in a mid-sized metropolitan region. Encounter-related prescriptions were identified using UTI-associated International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes. Patients aged 2 months through 18 years were included if they had been prescribed an oral antibiotic for the treatment of UTI. Antibiotic dose, frequency, and formulation were considered accurate if consistent with clinical guidelines and tertiary dosing references. RESULTS: Nearly 1 in 4 prescriptions had dosing inaccuracies. The proportion of errors was highest with amoxicillin-clavulanate (75%; 9/12) and amoxicillin (52%; 33/64). The most common reasons for dosing incorrectly were "low dose" or "unnecessarily high dose." Additionally, 55% of the included prescriptions were for oral suspensions, and 1 in 4 of these were dosed incorrectly. CONCLUSIONS: Inaccuracies in antibiotic prescribing for pediatric UTI are common, including for frequently prescribed agents and oral formulations. To address these missed opportunities for stewardship in the outpatient setting, key educational sessions with providers should include reviewing optimal antibiotic dosing for uropathogens and highlighting common errors when oral suspensions are prescribed. Copyright. Pediatric Pharmacy Association. All rights reserved. For permissions, email: mhelms@pediatricpharmacy.org 2022.
Authors: Laura M King; Monina Bartoces; Katherine E Fleming-Dutra; Rebecca M Roberts; Lauri A Hicks Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2020-01-16 Impact factor: 9.079