Resident
Craig, Tessa, PharmD
Residency Program
Interior Health
Project Title
The Pharmacist's Role in Beta-Lactam Antibiotic Allergy Delabeling: A Survey of Canadian Hospitals
Investigators
Calissi, Piera (B.Sc.(Pharm), PharmD, FCSHP), Cox, Victoria (B.Sc.(Pharm), PharmD), Blondel-Hill, Edith (MD, FRCP(C))
Abstract
Patients who report beta-lactam allergies are often prescribed broader spectrum, less effective, and more costly non-beta-lactam antibiotics. A Canada-wide survey was conducted to determine the roles and responsibilities of Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) pharmacists in delabeling antibiotic allergies. Antibiotic allergy delabeling is the process of removing an allergy label from a patient’s medical record. Most respondents, 70%, stated their AMS programs do not target antibiotic allergies for delabeling. The remaining respondents, 30%, have programs which are currently targeting antibiotics for delabeling. In these programs, AMS pharmacists are involved in allergy interviews, oral challenges and/ or skin testing.
