Effectiveness of ceftazidime-avibactam versus ceftolozane-tazobactam for multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in the USA (CACTUS): a multicentre, retrospective, observational study.

Background: Ceftolozane-tazobactam and ceftazidime-avibactam are preferred treatment options for multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections; however, real-world comparative effectiveness studies are scarce. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences between the agents might affect clinical response rates. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of ceftolozane-tazobactam and ceftazidime-avibactam for treatment of invasive multidrug-resistant P aeruginosa infections.

A Multicenter Retrospective Study Evaluating Intravenous to Oral Antibiotic Stepdown for Uncomplicated Streptococcal Bacteremia.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) versus oral (PO) stepdown therapy for uncomplicated streptococcal bacteremia.

Methods: This multicenter, retrospective study included adult patients with uncomplicated streptococcal bacteremia between 1 July 2019 and 1 July 2022. Patients who received IV therapy for the full treatment course were compared to patients who transitioned to PO therapy after initial IV therapy.

Barriers and facilitators to guideline concordant dental antibiotic prescribing in the United States: A qualitative study of the National Dental PBRN.

Objectives: While factors contributing to dental antibiotic overprescribing have previously been described, previous work has lacked any theoretical behavior change framework that could guide future intervention development. The purpose of this study was to use an evidence-based conceptual model to identify barriers and facilitators of appropriate antibiotic prescribing by dentists as a guide for future interventions aimed at modifying antibiotic prescribing.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with dentists from the National Dental Practice Based Research Network (PBRN) exploring patient and practice factors perceived to impact antibiotic prescribing.

Empirical antimicrobial prescribing for pyelonephritis in patients discharged from 15 US Emergency Departments: an opportunity for improvement.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are commonly treated in the emergency department (ED), and unfortunately, resistance to first-line agents is increasing.

Objectives: To characterize treatment of pyelonephritis in a nationally representative sample of ED patients and to identify patient- and treatment-specific factors associated with receiving initial inactive antibiotics.

Methods: We conducted a multicentre, observational cohort study utilizing the Emergency Medicine PHARMacotherapy Research NETwork (EMPHARM-NET), comprising 15 geographically diverse US EDs.

Cost evaluation of a nurse coordinated outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) program.

A structured, nurse-driven outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) program within an academic healthcare system was associated with reduced odds of 60-day unplanned OPAT readmissions and costs after hospital discharge. These findings may facilitate justifying additional resources for OPAT programs to improve care while decreasing costs.

Changes in antibiotic prescribing by dentists in the United States, 2012-2019.

Objectives: Dentists prescribe 10% of all outpatient antibiotics in the United States and are the top specialty prescriber. Data on current antibiotic prescribing trends are scarce. Therefore, we evaluated trends in antibiotic prescribing rates by dentists, and we further assessed whether these trends differed by agent, specialty, and by patient characteristics.

Evaluation of Outpatient Antibiotic Prescribing for Urinary Tract Infection in Pediatric Patients Ages 2 Months to 18 Years.

Objective: To characterize the diagnosis and management of urinary tract infection (UTI) in pediatric patients at the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System (UIH), with an emphasis on antibiotic prescribing; in addition, to characterize pediatric uropathogen patterns to help guide future empiric therapy choices.

Methods: We used a retrospective, descriptive study of pediatric patients ages 2 months to ≤18 years seen at the UIH emergency department or clinic from January 1, 2014, to August 31, 2018, with ICD-9 or ICD-10 discharge diagnosis of UTI. Data collected included presenting symptoms, urinalysis, details of antibiotic regimens, urine culture, and susceptibility results.

Intravenous to oral transition of antibiotics for gram-negative bloodstream infection at a University hospital in Thailand: Clinical outcomes and predictors of treatment failure.

Background: Limited studies evaluate the outcome of intravenous antibiotics to oral transition in Gram-negative bloodstream infection (GN-BSI), particularly GN-BSI originating outside the urinary tract. This study aimed to evaluate treatment success in patients with GN-BSI treated with either intravenous therapy or intravenous to oral transition and to identify factors associated with treatment failure in those undergoing intravenous to oral transition.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thailand.

Reporting behaviors and perceptions toward the National Healthcare Safety Network antimicrobial use (AU) and antimicrobial resistance (AR) modules.

Objectives: To identify characteristics of US health systems and end users that report antimicrobial use and resistance (AUR) data, to determine how NHSN AUR data are used by hospitals and health systems and end users, and to identify barriers to AUR reporting.

Design: An anonymous survey was sent to Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP) and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Research Network members.

Methods: Data were collected via Survey Monkey from January 21 to February 21, 2020.

Keyboard coercion: Online and face-to-face sexual aggression in a college sample.

This work sought to assess relationships between sexually aggressive behavior occurring through the use of technology and social media, perceived social norms of sexually aggressive behavior, and face-to-face sexual aggression and coercion. Participants were 663 undergraduate students (73.1% Female).

High prevalence of fluoroquinolone-resistant UTI among US emergency department patients diagnosed with urinary tract infection, 2018-2020.

Background: Uropathogen resistance, fluoroquinolone-resistance (FQR), and extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), has been observed to be emerging worldwide with prevalences above recommended thresholds for routine empirical treatment. The primary aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of FQR from a geographically diverse sample of United States emergency departments (EDs).

Methods: We conducted a multi-center, observational cohort study using a network of 15 geographically diverse US EDs.

Characteristics Associated With Opioid and Antibiotic Prescribing by Dentists.

Introduction: The objective of this study is to identify county-level characteristics that may be high-impact targets for opioid and antibiotic interventions to improve dental prescribing.

Methods: Prescriptions during 2012-2017 were extracted from the IQVIA Longitudinal Prescription database. Primary outcomes were yearly county-level antibiotic and opioid prescribing rates.

Strength of Recommendation and Quality of Evidence for Recommendations in Current Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidelines.

Background: Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) is a systematic approach to grading strength of recommendation (SOR) and quality of evidence (QOE) for guideline recommendations. We aimed to assess the relationship between SOR and QOE in current Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines.

Methods: In this cross-sectional analysis, we analyzed the frequency of SOR-QOE pairings, including discordance (defined as strong SOR based on expert opinion, very low, or low QOE) for GRADEd recommendations in IDSA guidelines published since 2010.

The Significance and Impact of Screening Preservation Fluid Cultures in Renal Transplant Recipients.

Introduction: Infectious complications can be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant recipients. Preservation fluid is necessary to maintain organ viability but may serve as a vector or infection. The utility of screening preservation fluid routinely for microbial growth and the impact of culture-positive preservation fluid is controversial.

Policy statement from the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA): Only medical contraindications should be accepted as a reason for not receiving all routine immunizations as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SHEA endorses adhering to the recommendations by the CDC and ACIP for immunizations of all children and adults. All persons providing clinical care should be familiar with these recommendations and should routinely assess immunization compliance of their patients and strongly recommend all routine immunizations to patients. All healthcare personnel (HCP) should be immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases as recommended by the CDC/ACIP (unless immunity is demonstrated by another recommended method).

Assessment of the Appropriateness of Antibiotic Prescriptions for Infection Prophylaxis Before Dental Procedures, 2011 to 2015.

Importance: Antibiotics are recommended before certain dental procedures in patients with select comorbidities to prevent serious distant site infections.

Objective: To assess the appropriateness of antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedures using Truven, a national integrated health claims database.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Retrospective cohort study.

Successful Implementation of an Antibiotic Stewardship Program in an Academic Dental Practice.

Background: Most antibiotic use in the United States occurs in the outpatient setting, and 10% of these prescriptions are generated by dentists. The development of comprehensive antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) in the dental setting is nascent, and therefore we describe the implementation of a dental ASP.

Methods: A collaborative team of dentist, pharmacist, and physician leaders conducted a baseline needs assessment and literature evaluation to identify opportunities to improve antibiotic prescribing by dentists within Illinois' largest oral health care provider for Medicaid recipients.

Vancomycin Versus Metronidazole for Nonsevere Infection: Are the Data Adequate to Change Practice?

To compare oral metronidazole and vancomycin for the treatment of mild-to-moderate infection (mmCDI). A MEDLINE literature search (inception to November 2018) was performed using the search terms , and . Additional references were identified from a review of literature citations.

Simplified Aztreonam Dosing in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease: Results of a Monte Carlo Simulation.

The manufacturer-recommended aztreonam dosing for patients with creatinine clearance values of <10 ml/min/1.73 m is complex. It is not known whether simpler posthemodialysis dosing administered once daily or thrice weekly can reliably achieve pharmacodynamic goals.