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Published on: April 11, 2019
Vancomycin use in pediatric hematology-oncology patients
H A Hopkins1, R L Sinkowitz-Cochran, B A Rudin
1Hospital Infections Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Service, US Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|February 3, 2000
Summary
Vancomycin use in pediatric hematology-oncology patients was frequently inconsistent with CDC guidelines. Empirical therapy, particularly in AR patients, showed 100% non-compliance with recommendations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
- Infectious Disease Management
- Antibiotic Stewardship
Background:
- Vancomycin is a critical antibiotic for serious infections.
- Appropriate vancomycin use is essential to prevent antimicrobial resistance.
- Pediatric hematology-oncology patients often require broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate vancomycin prescribing patterns.
- To compare vancomycin use against Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations.
- To identify areas for improvement in antibiotic stewardship for pediatric oncology patients.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study design was employed.
- Data collected on vancomycin use in pediatric hematology-oncology patients.
- Prescribing practices were compared to established CDC vancomycin guidelines.
Main Results:
- Thirty-seven pediatric patients received 308 doses of vancomycin.
- Empirical vancomycin therapy in AR patients was 100% inconsistent with CDC recommendations.
- Overall vancomycin use demonstrated significant deviations from CDC guidelines.
Conclusions:
- Current vancomycin prescribing in this pediatric hematology-oncology cohort requires significant improvement.
- Enhanced adherence to CDC guidelines for vancomycin is crucial for effective treatment and resistance prevention.
- Interventions targeting empirical vancomycin use are needed to optimize antibiotic stewardship.
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