Effect of Pharmacist-Initiated Interventions on Duration of Antibiotic Therapy for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

Background: Current guidelines for the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) recommend 5 days of antimicrobial therapy. Despite these recommendations, the duration of therapy exceeds 5 days for up to 70% of patients, with most superfluous prescribing occurring upon discharge from hospital. Shortening the duration of antibiotic therapy could decrease adverse events, resistance, and costs.

Fosfomycin Susceptibility in Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Species and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Urinary Isolates.

Background: Broad-spectrum antibiotics are often used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to drug-resistant species of Enterobacteriaceae and (e.g., organisms producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase [ESBL] or AmpC β-lactamase, as well as vancomycin-resistant enterococci [VRE]).