Variability in Antifungal and Antiviral Use in Hospitalized Children
Jennifer L Goldman1, Rachael K Ross2, Brian R Lee1
11Children's Mercy Hospitals & Clinic,Kansas City,Missouri.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|March 16, 2017
Abstract:
We analyzed antifungal and antiviral prescribing among high-risk children across freestanding children's hospitals. Antifungal and antiviral days of therapy varied across hospitals. Benchmarking antifungal and antiviral use and developing antimicrobial stewardship strategies to optimize use of these high cost agents is needed. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:743-746.
Insights
Antifungal and antiviral prescribing varied significantly among high-risk children in children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- High-risk children often require antifungal and antiviral medications.
- Optimizing the use of these agents is crucial for patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze antifungal and antiviral prescribing patterns in high-risk children.
- To identify variations in prescribing practices across freestanding children's hospitals.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of prescribing data.
- Comparison of antifungal and antiviral days of therapy across institutions.
Main Results:
- Significant variation in antifungal and antiviral days of therapy was observed among children's hospitals.
- No standardized approach to prescribing these agents was evident.
Conclusions:
- Benchmarking antifungal and antiviral use is necessary.
- Development of antimicrobial stewardship strategies is needed to optimize the use of these high-cost medications.
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