Discontinuation Patterns and Cost Avoidance of a Pharmacist-Driven Methicillin-Resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Nasal Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing Protocol for De-escalation of Empiric Vancomycin for Suspected Pneumonia
Lina Meng, Samaneh Pourali, Matthew M. Hitchcock, David Ha, Emily Mui, William Alegria, Emily M. Fox, Calvin Diep, Rebecca Swayngim, Amy Chang, Niaz Banaei, Stan Deresinski, Marisa Holubar
Abstract
(MRSA) nasal polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based testing protocol with a 70% acceptance rate for vancomycin discontinuation within 24 hours of negative results significantly reduced unnecessary vancomycin use with an estimated cost avoidance of $40 per vancomycin course. We found high concordance (141 of 147, 96%) of culture-based versus PCR-based MRSA nasal screening.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineDiscontinuationVancomycinDe-escalationMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureusStaphylococcus aureusPharmacistConcordancePneumoniaInternal medicinePharmacyFamily medicineBacteriaGeneticsBiologyAntimicrobial Resistance in StaphylococcusPneumonia and Respiratory InfectionsAntibiotics Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy