Implementation and Impact of a β-Lactam Allergy Assessment Protocol in a Veteran Population.

Background: Approximately 10% of the US population reports having a β-lactam allergy, although nearly 90% do not have a true immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated reaction. This misconception results in using nonpreferred antibiotics, leading to antimicrobial resistance and treatment failure. To evaluate, clarify, and clear β-lactam allergies, we implemented a pharmacist-driven β-lactam allergy assessment (BLAA) protocol and penicillin allergy clinic (PAC).

Impact of β-Lactam Allergies on Antimicrobial Selection in an Outpatient Setting.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine whether patients prescribed nonpreferred antibiotics received appropriate alternative antibiotics.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational analysis of military veteran patients with a β-lactam allergy treated in an outpatient clinic or emergency department for an infection during a 5-year span. Antibiotic regimens were first stratified as preferred or nonpreferred based on infection-specific guidelines.

Explicitly teaching English through the air to students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The effects of the Language for Learning curriculum (Engelmann & Osborne, 1999) on through-the-air (i.e., signed and/or spoken) English skills for students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) were examined by means of a single-subject, concurrent-multiple-probes-across-participants design.

Deaf and hard of hearing students' through-the-air english skills: a review of formal assessments.

Strong correlations exist between signed and/or spoken English and the literacy skills of deaf and hard of hearing students. Assessments that are both valid and reliable are key for researchers and practitioners investigating the signed and/or spoken English skills of signing populations. The authors conducted a literature review to explore which tests researchers are currently using, how they administer the tests, and how reliability and validity are maintained.