Increasing cefazolin use for surgical prophylaxis in penicillin-allergy-labeled patients.

Objective: Penicillin (PCN) allergy labels affect antimicrobial selection for surgical prophylaxis. We aimed to increase the percentage of cefazolin usage in patients with PCN allergy labels undergoing orthopedic surgery from 50% to 80%. Design: Quality improvement initiative. Setting: Children's Mercy Kansas City (CMKC), a freestanding children's hospital. Patients: Children scheduled for an orthopedic surgery (excluding spinal surgery) at CMKC who had a PCN allergy label and received a perioperative antibiotic. Methods: No standardized process existed to identify and clarify PCN-allergic-labeled patients preoperatively. We developed a process for patient identification combined with a pharmacist phone interview for PCN allergy clarification. In plan-do-study-act (PDSA) part 1, we implemented a computer-generated patient list. In PDSA part 2, we combined automated identification with a phone interview. In PDSA part 3, we enhanced the patient list, making it timely and concise. In PDSA part 4, we included a PCN allergy clarification electronic survey to caregivers via the electronic medical record. Results: Cefazolin use in PCN-allergic surgical patients increased from 50% to 74% following interventions. Patients who had their PCN allergy label clarified were 4 times more likely to receive cefazolin compared to those whose allergy labels were not clarified (OR, 4.21; 95% CI, 1.68-11.61; P = 0.003). Moreover, 90% of patients received cefazolin when their PCN allergy was clarified and cefazolin was recommended. When a PCN allergy label was not clarified, only 59% of patients received cefazolin. Conclusions: Appropriate clarification and documentation of PCN allergy labels increases the use of cefazolin for surgical prophylaxis.

Advances in Sports Medicine and Care of the Adolescent Athlete.

Over the past several decades there has been a dramatic change in the landscape of youth sports. This article provides an overview of sport-related injuries in the child and adolescent populations, looking at changes over the past 10 to 15 years. A closer look at frequently seen injuries, including assessment, diagnosis, and management in osteochondritis dissecans, sprains, fractures, anterior cruciate ligament, and meniscus tears, is provided. Current protocols and screening tools for this population are discussed, including preparticipation screening. The nursing implications in the clinical and community setting are identified, with ways to incorporate this information into practice.