AN AUDIT OF PAEDIATRIC VANCOMYCIN DOSING.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pharmacology
• Antimicrobial Stewardship
• Clinical Audit

Background:

• Paediatric vancomycin dosing guidelines were implemented to ensure safe and effective treatment.
• Auditing adherence and therapeutic level achievement is crucial for optimizing patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To audit adherence to new paediatric vancomycin guidelines.
• To assess the achievement of therapeutic vancomycin levels in paediatric patients.

Main Methods:

• Prospective data collection from paediatric patient drug charts.
• Inclusion of vancomycin doses, age, weight, levels, timing, and renal function.
• Analysis of data against predefined guideline standards.

Main Results:

• Three of six guideline standards were met.
• 100% adherence to initial dosing (standard 2) and 90% for correct timing of levels (standard 4).
• Only 33% of initial vancomycin levels were therapeutic, with 93% of corrective actions being appropriate.

Conclusions:

• Paediatric vancomycin guidelines are generally followed, but dosing requires modification for therapeutic levels.
• Low patient numbers and inability to assess certain standards were limitations.
• Consideration of changing dosing frequency or continuous infusion for vancomycin therapy.