Antimicrobial allergy 'labels' drive inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing: Lessons for stewardship

Abstract

Background: The presence of antimicrobial allergy designations ('labels') often substantially reduces prescribing options for affected patients, but the frequency, accuracy and impacts of such labels are unknown. Methods: The National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey (NAPS) is an annual de-identified point prevalence audit of Australian inpatient antimicrobial prescribing using standardized definitions of guideline compliance, appropriateness and indications. Data were extracted for 2 years (2013-14) and compared for patients with an antimicrobial allergy label (AAL) and with no AAL (NAAL). Results: Among 21031 patients receiving antimicrobials (33421 prescriptions), an AALwas recorded in 18..