Delabeling of allergy to beta-lactam antibiotics in hospitalized patients: a prospective study evaluating cost savings.

Background: Patients with a penicillin allergy label are at risk of an associated increase in adverse antibiotic events and hospitalization costs.

Aim: We aimed to study the economic savings derived from the correct diagnosis and delabeling inpatients with suspected beta-lactam allergy, considering the acquisition cost of antimicrobials prescribed during a patient's hospital stay.

Method: We prospectively evaluated patients admitted to the University Hospital of Salamanca who had been labeled as allergic to beta-lactams and performed a delabeling study.