Significant Publications on Infectious Diseases Pharmacotherapy in 2017.

Purpose: The most significant peer-reviewed articles pertaining to infectious diseases (ID) pharmacotherapy, as selected by panels of ID pharmacists, are summarized.

Summary: Members of the Houston Infectious Diseases Network (HIDN) were asked to nominate peer-reviewed articles that they believed most contributed to the practice of ID pharmacotherapy in 2017, including the areas of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). A list of 33 articles related to general ID pharmacotherapy and 4 articles related to HIV/AIDS was compiled.

Use of an Anti-Infective Medication Review Process at Hospital Discharge to Identify Medication Errors and Optimize Therapy.

Background: Medication reconciliation is a major patient safety concern, and the impact of a structured process to evaluate anti-infective agents at hospital discharge warrants further review.

Objective: The aim of this study was to (1) describe a structured, multidisciplinary approach to review anti-infectives at discharge and (2) measure the impact of a stewardship-initiated antimicrobial review process in identifying and preventing anti-infective-related medication errors (MEs) at discharge.

Methods: A prospective study to evaluate adult patients discharged on anti-infectives was conducted from October 2013 to May 2014.

Outpatient antibiotic stewardship: Interventions and opportunities.

Improving the use of antibiotics across the continuum of care is a national priority. Data outlining the misuse of antibiotics in the outpatient setting justify the expansion of antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) into this health care setting; however, best practices for outpatient antibiotic stewardship (AS) are not yet defined. In a companion article, we focused on recommendations to overcome challenges related to the implementation of an outpatient ASP (e.

A call to action for outpatient antibiotic stewardship.

Objectives: To address the public health threat of antibiotic resistance, there has been an enhanced call for antibiotic stewardship programs throughout the health care continuum.

Summary: While antibiotic stewardship programs have been well described in the inpatient setting, data on effectiveness and guidance on implementing outpatient programs is scarce. Establishing stewardship practices in the outpatient setting is necessary because more than 60% of human antibiotic use occurs in this setting.

Prevention of perinatal transmission of zidovudine- and nevirapine-resistant HIV.

Purpose: The use of a three-drug regimen for the prevention of perinatal transmission of zidovudine- and nevirapine-resistant HIV is described.

Summary: A 17-year-old Hispanic woman infected with HIV arrived at our clinic for the management of her first pregnancy. The patient was in her second trimester of her pregnancy, had not previously been treated with antiretroviral therapy, and was only taking daily prenatal vitamins at the time of her first clinic visit.