New study: Penicillin testing shown to change treatment course

80% of patients were able to switch to more effective therapy A new study from the University of Maryland reveals that testing hospital patients for penicillin allergy leads to optimal antibiotic treatment, since most people who think they are allergic to penicillin are actually not. And finding out doesn’t take an allergist: the study evaluated a penicillin allergy skin testing program that was managed by infectious diseases physician fellows who were able to appropriately assess patients for penicillin allergy and perform the testing. Treatment can be improved as a result of penicillin allergy testing according to the study: 84% of those who tested negative for penicillin allergy were given antibiotic changes 63% received a narrower spectrum antibiotic 80% received more effective therapy and 61% received more cost effective therapy. “Our study confirmed that many people who think they have a penicillin allergy actually do not when penicillin allergy testing is performed,” says Emily L. Heil, PharmD, BCPS-AQ ID,...