Prescription Drug Shortages: Pediatric Emergency and Critical Care Medications.

OBJECTIVES: Drug shortages have been increasing over the past 2 decades. There are limited data on drug shortages and their effect on pediatric emergency and critical care. Our objective was to describe pediatric emergency and critical care drug shortages. METHODS: Drug shortage data from January 2001 to December 2015 were obtained from the University of Utah Drug Information Services. Shortages were reviewed, identifying agents used in pediatric emergency and critical care. Shortage data were analyzed for the type of drug, formulation, shortage reason, duration, marketing status (generic vs brand name), or if it was a pediatric-friendly formulation, used for a high-acuity condition, or a single-source product. The availability of a substitute was also described. RESULTS: Of 1883 products on shortage, 779 were used in pediatric emergency or critical care. The annual number of shortages decreased from 2001 to 2004, but then increased, reaching a high in 2011. The median duration for resolved shortages was 7.6 months (interquartile range, 3.0-17.6 months). The most common category affected was infectious disease drugs. High-acuity agents were involved in 27% of shortages and in 11% of pediatric-friendly formulations. An alternative agent was available for 95% of drugs, yet 43% of alternatives were also affected at some time during the study period. The most common reported reason for a shortage was manufacturing problems. CONCLUSIONS: From 2001 to 2015, drug shortages affected a substantial number of agents used in pediatric emergency and critical care. This has had implications to the medications available for use and may impact patient outcomes. Providers must be aware of current shortages and implement mitigation strategies to optimize patient care.

Prescription Drug Shortages: Implications for Ambulatory Pediatrics.

OBJECTIVE: To describe contemporary drug shortages affecting general ambulatory pediatrics. STUDY DESIGN: Data from January 2001 to December 2015 were obtained from the University of Utah Drug Information Service. Two pediatricians reviewed drug shortages and identified agents used in ambulatory pediatrics. Shortage data were analyzed by the type of drug, formulation, reason for shortage, duration, marketing status, if a pediatric friendly-formulation was available, or if it was a single-source product. The availability of an alternative, and whether that alternative was affected by a shortage, also was noted. RESULTS: Of 1883 products in shortage during the study period, 314 were determined to be used in ambulatory pediatrics. The annual number of new pediatric shortages decreased initially but then increased to a high of 38 in 2011. Of the 314 pediatric shortages, 3.8% were unresolved at the end of the study. The median duration of resolved shortages was 7.6 months. The longest shortage was for ciprofloxacin 500-mg tablets. The most common class involved was infectious disease drugs. Pediatric-friendly dosage forms were affected in 19.1% of shortages. An alternative agent was available for 86% drugs; however, 29% of these also were affected. The most common reason for shortage was manufacturing problems. CONCLUSIONS: Drug shortages affected a substantial number of agents used in general ambulatory pediatrics. Shortages for single-source products are a concern if a suitable alternative is unavailable. Providers working in the ambulatory setting must be aware of current shortages and implement mitigation strategies to optimize patient care.

Pediatric urinary tract infections.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children are commonly seen in the emergency department and pose several challenges to establishing the proper diagnosis and determining management. This article reviews pediatric UTI and addresses epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and imaging, and their importance to the practicing emergency medicine provider. Accurate and timely diagnosis of pediatric UTI can prevent short-term complications, such as severe pyelonephritis or sepsis, and long-term sequelae including scarring of the kidneys, hypertension, and ultimately chronic renal insufficiency and need for transplant.