Digital Antibiotic Allergy Decision Support Tool Improves Management of ß-Lactam Allergies.

BACKGROUND: Frontline providers frequently make time-sensitive antibiotic choices, but many feel poorly equipped to handle antibiotic allergies. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that a digital decision support tool could improve antibiotic selection and confidence when managing ß-lactam allergies. METHODS: A digital decision support tool was designed to guide non-allergist providers in managing patients with ß-lactam allergy labels. Non-allergists were asked to make decisions in clinical test cases without the tool, and then with it. These decisions were compared using paired t tests. Users also completed surveys assessing their confidence in managing antibiotic allergies. RESULTS: The tool's algorithm was validated by confirming its recommendations aligned with that of five allergists. Non-allergist providers (n = 102) made antibiotic management decisions in test cases, both with and without the tool. Use of the tool increased the proportion of correct decisions from 0.41 to 0.67, a difference of 0.26 (95% CI, 0.22-0.30; P < .001). Users were more likely to give full-dose antibiotics in low-risk situations, give challenge doses in medium-risk situations, and avoid the antibiotic and/or consult allergy departments in high-risk situations. A total of 98 users (96%) said the tool would increase their confidence when choosing antibiotics for patients with allergies. CONCLUSIONS: A point-of-care clinical decision tool provides allergist-designed guidance for non-allergists and is a scalable system for addressing antibiotic allergies, irrespective of allergist availability. This tool encouraged appropriate antibiotic use in low- and medium-risk situations and increased caution in high-risk situations. A digital support tool should be considered in quality improvement and antibiotic stewardship efforts.

Paraneoplastic and Therapy-Related Immune Complications in Thymic Malignancies.

OPINION STATEMENT: The thymus is a key organ involved in establishing central immune tolerance. Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) include thymomas and thymic carcinomas. Thymomas, which are histologically distinct from thymic carcinomas, lead to dysregulated thymopoiesis via decreased thymic epithelial expression of AIRE and MHC Class II, as well as via alterations in thymic architecture, thereby resulting in autoimmune complications that manifest as paraneoplastic disorders (PNDs). Although progress has been made in elucidating the mechanisms underlying thymoma-associated PNDs, there remains a great need to further define the underlying mechanisms and to identify additional immune biomarkers, such as novel antibodies (in "seronegative" cases) to facilitate diagnosis and monitoring of patients. In addition, a better understanding of the pathogenesis of PNDs could lead to improved treatment strategies for both thymomas and their immune complications. In advanced, refractory cases of TETs (both thymoma and thymic carcinoma), additional therapeutic approaches are needed. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of several malignancies and hold promise in the treatment of TETs; however, the risks for immune-related adverse events (especially for inducing PNDs as well as in the setting of pre-existing PNDs) underscore the need to optimize patient selection and improve clinical management before there can be widespread acceptance of checkpoint inhibitor therapy in patients with TETs.