Economic outcomes of inappropriate initial antibiotic treatment for complicated skin and soft tissue infections: a multicenter prospective observational study.

This study examined economic outcomes associated with inappropriate initial antibiotic treatment (IIAT) in complicated skin and soft tissue infections using data from adults hospitalized and treated with intravenous antibiotic therapy. We specifically analyzed for the subsets of patients infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with healthcare-associated (HCA) infections, or both. Data from 494 patients (HCA: 360; MRSA:175; MRSA + HCA: 129) showed the overall mean length of stay (LOS) was 7.4 days and 15.0% had the composite economic outcome of any subsequent hospital admissions, emergency department visits, or unscheduled visits related to the study infection. A total of 23.1% of patients had IIAT; after adjustments, these patients had longer LOS than patients without IIAT in the HCA cohort (marginal LOS = 1.39 days, P = 0.03) and the MRSA + HCA cohort (marginal LOS = 2.43 days, P = 0.01) and were significantly more likely to have the composite economic outcome in all study cohorts (odds ratio: overall = 1.79; HCA = 3.09; MRSA = 3.66; MRSA + HCA = 6.92; all P < 0.05).

Inappropriate initial antibiotic treatment for complicated skin and soft tissue infections in hospitalized patients: incidence and associated factors.

We analyzed 525 hospitalized adults treated with intravenous antibiotic(s) for complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs) to assess incidence of, and risk factors associated with, inappropriate initial antibiotic treatment (IIAT). IIAT was given to 22.5% of enrolled patients. The rate of IIAT did not vary by type of facility (academic versus community) but was significantly higher in rural than urban hospitals (38.9% versus 21.3%, P = 0.02). Pathogens were exclusively gram-positive in 68% of patients, exclusively gram-negative in 13%, and mixed in 19%. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated pathogen (in 65%), 54% of which were methicillin-resistant. Significant independent risk factors for IIAT were: admission to a rural hospital (odds ratio = 2.34; 95% confidence interval: 1.06-5.19), dialysis treatment (3.86; 1.15-12.93), cancer other than non-melanoma skin cancer (5.23; 1.78-15.36), and infection with gram-negative (3.43; 1.79-6.60) or mixed (4.52; 2.62-7.78) pathogens. IIAT for cSSTIs was relatively frequent in these hospitalized patients, especially those with selected risk factors.

The association of antimicrobial resistance with cure and quality of life among women with acute uncomplicated cystitis.

BACKGROUND: The association of in vitro resistance with bacteriologic, clinical, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes for acute uncomplicated cystitis is unclear. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of women aged 18-40 years with acute uncomplicated cystitis symptoms for ≤7 days who subsequently grew an Enterobacteriaceae sp. and initially received trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) and phenazopyridine. We conducted telephone follow-up evaluating clinical cure at 1-3 days and in-person follow-up evaluating clinical, bacteriologic, and HRQoL outcomes at 3-7 days and 4-6 weeks post-treatment. RESULTS: An Enterobacteriaceae sp. was isolated in 139 (96.5%) patients (25.2% TMP/SMX-resistant). At 1-3 days post-treatment, clinical cure occurred in 56/81 (69.1%) and 14/31 (45.2%) of cases with susceptible and resistant strains, respectively (difference 23.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-46.4%). At 3-7 days post-treatment, bacteriologic cure occurred in 70/73 (95.9%) and 15/25 (60%) of cases with susceptible and resistant strains, respectively (difference 35.9%; 95% CI, 13.5-58.3%). Sustained clinical cure rates at 3-7 days and 4-6 weeks post-treatment were 65.4 and 56.8% with susceptible strains, and 45.2 and 45.2% with resistant strains, respectively. The HRQoL scale assessing role limitations due to physical health problems was lower in TMP/SMX-resistant versus TMP/SMX-susceptible infections, with twice as many hours of missed activities reported (mean, 18.4 vs. 9.1 h). Differences in HRQoL appeared to be largely related to differences in clinical cure rates. CONCLUSIONS: Among women treated for acute uncomplicated cystitis with TMP/SMX, in vitro TMP/SMX resistance was associated with lower bacteriologic and clinical cure rates, and had greater impact on the time lost from daily activities compared to those with TMP/SMX-susceptible infections.

New directions in antiinfective therapy for community-acquired pneumonia in the emergency department.

The emergency department is becoming an increasingly important setting for the management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). This trend reflects the shortened hospital stays and decreased mortality among elderly hospitalized patients resulting from rapid administration of antimicrobials. In addition, decisions about the site of care (inpatient vs outpatient) and antimicrobial therapy frequently are made in the emergency department. Recent research and subsequent clinical guidelines may help with these decisions. For example, recently issued guidelines, such as those of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Thoracic Society, suggest that selection of antimicrobials for CAP (which is typically empiric) should be based on the potential pathogens and likelihood of antimicrobial resistance. Macrolides and tetracyclines are recommended in younger patients with mild-to-moderate disease. Patients with more severe disease and those at risk for drug-resistant pathogens should be treated with broad-spectrum therapy, such as a newer fluoroquinolone or a cephalosporin plus a macrolide. When hospitalization is required, early switch from intravenous to oral therapy, followed by early discharge, can be a highly successful strategy. Antimicrobials that are available in both intravenous and oral formulations, such as the newer fluoroquinolones (e.g., levofloxacin and gatifloxacin), can simplify switch therapy For outpatients, an initial long-acting parenteral dose of azithromycin, ceftriaxone, or levofloxacin followed by oral therapy is an effective protocol. In addition, use of a prediction rule to identify low-risk patients with CAP may help guide decisions about the need for hospital admission.

Etiology of bloody diarrhea among patients presenting to United States emergency departments: prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other enteropathogens.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections have been associated with bloody diarrhea. The prevalence of enteropathogens among patients with bloody diarrhea was determined by a prospective study at 11 US emergency departments. Eligible patients had bloody stools, > or =3 loose stool samples per 24-h period, and an illness lasting <7 days. Among 873 patients with 877 episodes of bloody diarrhea, stool samples for culture were obtained in 549 episodes (62.6%). Stool cultures were more frequently ordered for patients with fever, >10 stools/day, and visibly bloody stools than for patients without these findings. Enteropathogens were identified in 168 episodes (30.6%): Shigella (15.3%), Campylobacter (6.2%), Salmonella (5.8%), STEC (2.6%), and other (1.6%). Enteropathogens were isolated during 12.5% of episodes that physicians thought were due to a noninfectious cause. The prevalence of STEC infection varied by site from 0% to 6.2%. Hospital admissions resulted from 195 episodes (23.4%). These data support recommendations that stool samples be cultured for patients with acute bloody diarrhea.

Appropriateness of rabies postexposure prophylaxis treatment for animal exposures. Emergency ID Net Study Group.

CONTEXT: Rabies postexposure prophylaxis (RPEP) treatments and associated costs have increased in the United States. The extent to which RPEP use is consistent with guidelines is not well understood. OBJECTIVE: To characterize animal contacts and determine the frequency and factors associated with inappropriate RPEP use. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Prospective case series study of patients presenting with an animal exposure-related complaint from July 1996 to September 1998 at 11 university-affiliated, urban emergency departments (the Emergency ID Net). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Exposure type, circumstances, and RPEP use (appropriateness defined by local public health departments). RESULTS: Of 2030 exposures, 1635 (81%) were to dogs; 268 (13%) to cats; 88 (4%) to rodents/rabbits; 10 (0. 5%) to raccoons; 5 (0.2%) to bats; and 24 (1.2%) to other animals. Among those exposed, 136 (6.7%) received RPEP after dog (95), cat (21), raccoon (8), bat (4), or other animal (8) exposures. Use of RPEP varied by site (range, 0%-27.7% of exposures), with most frequent use reported at sites in the eastern United States. Management was considered appropriate in 1857 exposures (91.5%). Use of RPEP was considered inappropriate in 54 cases (40% of those in which it was given), owing to factors including animal availability for observation and exposure in a low-endemicity area. Rabies postexposure prophylaxis was considered inappropriately withheld from 119 cases (6.3% of those not receiving RPEP), often because a domestic animal was unavailable for observation or testing. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that use of RPEP is often inappropriate. Greater compliance with current guidelines would increase RPEP use. Physician education, improved coordination with public health officials, and clarification of RPEP guidelines could optimize use of this expensive resource. JAMA. 2000;284:1001-1007

Comparison of ciprofloxacin (7 days) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (14 days) for acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis pyelonephritis in women: a randomized trial.

CONTEXT: The optimal antimicrobial regimen and treatment duration for acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of a 7-day ciprofloxacin regimen and a 14-day trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole regimen for the treatment of acute pyelonephritis in women. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind comparative trial conducted from October 1994 through January 1997. SETTING: Twenty-five outpatient centers in the United States. PATIENTS: Of 378 enrolled premenopausal women aged at least 18 years with clinical diagnosis of acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis, 255 were included in the analysis. Other individuals were excluded for no baseline causative organism, inadequate receipt of study drug, loss to follow-up, no appropriate cultures, and other reasons. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to oral ciprofloxacin, 500 mg twice per day for 7 days (with or without an initial 400-mg intravenous dose) followed by placebo for 7 days (n = 128 included in analysis) vs trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 160/800 mg twice per day for 14 days (with or without intravenous ceftriaxone, 1 g) (n = 127 included in the analysis). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Continued bacteriologic and clinical cure, such that alternative antimicrobial drugs were not required, among evaluable patients through the 4- to 11-day posttherapy visit, compared by treatment group. RESULTS: At 4 to 11 days posttherapy, bacteriologic cure rates were 99% (112 of 113) for the ciprofloxacin regimen and 89% (90 of 101) for the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole regimen (95% confidence interval [CI] for difference, 0.04-0.16; P = .004). Clinical cure rates were 96% (109 of 113) for the ciprofloxacin regimen and 83% (92 of 111) for the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole regimen (95% CI, 0.06-0.22; P = .002). Escherichia coli, which caused more than 90% of infections, was more frequently resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (18%) than to ciprofloxacin (0%; P<.001). Among trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-treated patients, drug resistance was associated with greater bacteriologic and clinical failure rates (P<.001 for both). Drug-related adverse events occurred in 24% of 191 ciprofloxacin-treated patients and in 33% of 187 trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-treated patients, respectively (95% CI, -0.001 to 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: In our study of outpatient treatment of acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis in women, a 7-day ciprofloxacin regimen was associated with greater bacteriologic and clinical cure rates than a 14-day trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole regimen, especially in patients infected with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-resistant strains.

Pharmacologic management of HIV/STD exposure.

Emergency physicians must be familiar with management of occupational exposures to HIV-infected bodily fluids. Victims of sexual assault also may be exposed to HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for the management of occupational exposures include recommendations for administration of combination antiretroviral therapy to reduce the risk for HIV transmission. Antiretroviral therapy also may be indicated for certain types of sexual exposure to HIV. Drugs that are used to treat sexually transmitted diseases also may be given to prevent infection after possible exposures. This article reviews current recommendations for prophylaxis against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and the scientific basis for these recommendations.

Emergency department management of blood and body fluid exposures.

Exposure to blood and body fluids that may be contaminated with infectious agents is a common occupational hazard for health care workers. Health care workers in the emergency department or out-of-hospital setting are at especially high risk for exposure to blood or body fluids. Nonemergency health care workers are frequently referred to hospital EDs for immediate treatment of occupation exposures. A series of recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention evolved over the past decade, and changes are expected to continue. This state-of the-art article reviews current recommendations for management of persons exposed to blood or body fluids and discusses the scientific basis for recommendations regarding hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and HIV.

Emergency department management of pneumonia.

Many patients with pneumonia, especially those who are more severely ill, have their first medical contact in the emergency department. Pneumonia is usually diagnosed with appropriate signs and symptoms, although these can be lacking in the very young or the old. Gram stain and culture are seldom useful. The choice of appropriate antibiotic is usually determined by degree of illness and microbiological epidemiology. The most important decision made in the emergency department is whether to admit the patient with pneumonia to hospital; this decision can be aided by the use of clinical predictive rules. Initial treatment of pneumonia includes supportive care as needed (oxygen, intubation and bronchodilators) and an empirically chosen antibiotic. Appropriate choices include macrolides and azalides for low risk out-patients, and either a combination cephalosporin and macrolide or an extended spectrum fluoroquinolone in anticipation of drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae for high risk out-patients and in-patients.

Bacteriologic analysis of infected dog and cat bites. Emergency Medicine Animal Bite Infection Study Group.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: To define better the bacteria responsible for infections of dog and cat bites, we conducted a prospective study at 18 emergency departments. To be eligible for enrollment, patients had to meet one of three major criteria for infection of a bite wound (fever, abscess, and lymphangitis) or four of five minor criteria (wound-associated erythema, tenderness at the wound site, swelling at the site, purulent drainage, and leukocytosis). Wound specimens were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria at a research microbiology laboratory and, in some cases, at local hospital laboratories. RESULTS: The infected wounds of 50 patients with dog bites and 57 patients with cat bites yielded a median of 5 bacterial isolates per culture (range, 0 to 16) at the reference laboratory. Significantly more isolates grew at the reference laboratory than at the local laboratories (median, 1; range, 0 to 5; P<0.001). Aerobes and anaerobes were isolated from 56 percent of the wounds, aerobes alone from 36 percent, and anaerobes alone from 1 percent; 7 percent of cultures had no growth. Pasteurella species were the most frequent isolates from both dog bites (50 percent) and cat bites (75 percent). Pasteurella canis was the most common isolate of dog bites, and Past. multocida subspecies multocida and septica were the most common isolates of cat bites. Other common aerobes included streptococci, staphylococci, moraxella, and neisseria. Common anaerobes included fusobacterium, bacteroides, porphyromonas, and prevotella. Isolates not previously identified as human pathogens included Reimerella anatipestifer from two cat bites and Bacteroides tectum, Prevotella heparinolytica, and several porphyromonas species from dog and cat bites. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was isolated from two cat bites. Patients were most often treated with a combination of a beta-lactam antibiotic and a beta-lactamase inhibitor, which, on the basis of the microbiologic findings, was appropriate therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Infected dog and cat bites have a complex microbiologic mix that usually includes pasteurella species but may also include many other organisms not routinely identified by clinical microbiology laboratories and not previously recognized as bite-wound pathogens.

EMERGEncy ID NET: an emergency department-based emerging infections sentinel network. The EMERGEncy ID NET Study Group.

Acute infectious disease presentations among many at-risk patient groups (eg, uninsured, homeless, and recent immigrants) are frequently seen in emergency departments. Therefore EDs may be useful sentinel sites for infectious disease surveillance. This article describes the background, development, and implementation of EMERGE ncy ID NET, an interdisciplinary, multicenter, ED-based network for research of emerging infectious diseases. EMERGE ncy ID NET was established in cooperation with the National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as part of the CDC's strategy to expand and complement existing disease detection and control activities. The network is based at 11 university-affiliated, urban hospital EDs with a combined annual patient visit census of more than 900,000. Data are collected during ED evaluation of patients with specific clinical syndromes, and are electronically stored, transferred, and analyzed at a central receiving site. Current projects include investigation of bloody diarrhea and the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, animal exposures and rabies postexposure prophylaxis practices, seizures and prevalence of neurocysticercosis, nosocomial ED Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission, and hospital isolation bed use for adults admitted for pneumonia or suspected tuberculosis. EMERGE ncy ID NET also was developed to be a mechanism for rapidly responding to new diseases or epidemics. Future plans include study of antimicrobial use, meningitis, and encephalitis, and consideration of other public health concerns such as injury and national and international network expansion.