The burden of antibiotic allergies in adults in an Australian intensive care unit: the BASIS study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and impact of patient-reported antibiotic allergies in the intensive care unit (ICU), which are currently poorly defined. Antibiotic allergy labels (AALs) are associated with inappropriate antibiotic prescribing and with inferior patient, microbiological and hospital outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective, single-centre case-control study. SETTING: Mixed ICU, Austin Hospital, Melbourne. PARTICIPANTS: All adults (≥ 18 years old) admitted to the ICU who received at least two doses of systemic antibiotics between 12 February and 20 April 2018. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic data, infection and allergy history, antibiotic prescriptions and ICU interventions and ..