The DPH is hosting 2023-2024 IDSA LEAP Fellow Dr. Kap Sum Foong, whose project aims to explore penicillin allergies among long-term care residents and strategies for appropriately de-labeling many of these individuals as penicillin allergic. Nursing facilities are invited to participate in this effort to improve practices and patient outcomes in their buildings. The following FAQs answer questions about this project:
Why Assess Penicillin Allergy Labels?
- Understanding the prevalence of penicillin allergy among long-term care residents is crucial for antimicrobial stewardship.
- One in 10 people living in the U.S. report having an allergy to penicillin. However, research has shown that less than 1% of the population has a true penicillin allergy. Inappropriate penicillin allergy labels are associated with unnecessarily broader-spectrum antibiotic use and poorer health outcomes.
Participation in the Penicillin Allergy De-Labeling Project - Reasons nursing facilities should participate in this project:
- Contribute to advancing best practices in healthcare: By participating, you will be at the forefront of improving healthcare for long-term care residents.
- Obtain data-driven insights: Gain valuable insights into how penicillin allergies are impacting antibiotic prescribing patterns and potential implications for patient care.
- Enhance patient safety: Help identify residents who may be unnecessarily prevented from receiving effective antibiotics due to inaccurate antibiotic allergy labels.
- Facilities that currently use Point Click Care (PCC) for their EHR are particularly suited to this initiative, as existing reports available in PCC make participation easy.
- Participation involves very little action on your part, as Dr. Foong will visit your facility to collect the data needed.
If you are interested in participating in this important initiative or have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Foong at KapSum.Foong@tuftsmedicine.org and Leslie Fowle at Leslie.P.Fowle@mass.gov.