Moxifloxacin plus rifampin as an alternative for levofloxacin plus rifampin in the treatment of a prosthetic joint infection with Staphylococcus aureus.

Objectives: The combination of a fluoroquinolone with rifampin is one of the cornerstones in the treatment of prosthetic joint infections (PJI) caused by staphylococci. Moxifloxacin is highly active against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and, therefore, is an attractive agent to use. However, several studies reported a lowering in serum moxifloxacin levels when combined with rifampin.

Target attainment with continuous dosing of piperacillin/tazobactam in critical illness: a prospective observational study.

Optimal dosing of β-lactam antibiotics in critically ill patients is a challenge given the unpredictable pharmacokinetic profile of this patient population. Several studies have shown intermittent dosing to often yield inadequate drug concentrations. Continuous dosing is an attractive alternative from a pharmacodynamic point of view.

An integrated stewardship model: antimicrobial, infection prevention and diagnostic (AID).

Considering the threat of antimicrobial resistance and the difficulties it entails in treating infections, it is necessary to cross borders and approach infection management in an integrated, multidisciplinary manner. We propose the antimicrobial, infection prevention and diagnostic stewardship model comprising three intertwined programs: antimicrobial, infection prevention and diagnostic stewardship, involving all stakeholders. The focus is a so-called 'theragnostics' approach.

Cost-minimization model of a multidisciplinary antibiotic stewardship team based on a successful implementation on a urology ward of an academic hospital.

Background: In order to stimulate appropriate antimicrobial use and thereby lower the chances of resistance development, an Antibiotic Stewardship Team (A-Team) has been implemented at the University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. Focus of the A-Team was a pro-active day 2 case-audit, which was financially evaluated here to calculate the return on investment from a hospital perspective.

Methods: Effects were evaluated by comparing audited patients with a historic cohort with the same diagnosis-related groups.

Drug-drug interaction checking assisted by clinical decision support: a return on investment analysis.

Background: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are very prevalent in hospitalized patients.

Objectives: To determine the number of DDI alerts, time saved, and time invested after suppressing clinically irrelevant alerts and adding clinical-decision support to relevant alerts.

Materials And Methods: The most frequently occurring DDIs were evaluated for clinical relevance by a multidisciplinary expert panel.