Geisinger Antibiotic Allergy Pilot Program: Assess and Address

Launched by GEISINGER CLINIC · Jul 15, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Geisinger Antibiotic Allergy Pilot Program is a clinical trial designed to help patients who have been told they are allergic to penicillin. The study aims to find out if some people who think they have a penicillin allergy might actually be able to take penicillin safely. Researchers will use a simple questionnaire to assess patients' allergy history and score their answers to identify those who are at low risk for allergic reactions. If a patient is deemed low risk, they may be given a small test dose of amoxicillin (a type of penicillin) in a controlled environment to see if they can tolerate it. If they do well, the allergy label can be removed from their medical records.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be at least 18 years old, currently hospitalized, and have a reported history of penicillin or related allergies. However, those with severe allergic reactions to penicillin or other health issues that make them unstable cannot participate. If you join the trial, you’ll be helping researchers understand penicillin allergies better, which could change treatment options for many patients in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Hospitalized male or female patients with a history of Penicillin (PCN) allergy or PCN-derivative allergy as reported by patient or documented in Epic
• • ≥18 years of age
• • Patients with a medical need for treatment with a PCN or PCN-derivative or other beta-lactam antibiotics as determined by an inpatient provider
• • Able and willing to provide consent in English.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of documented immediate-onset severe allergic reaction or delayed onset hypersensitivity reaction to a PCN or PCN-derivative
• • Patients who are hemodynamically unstable (e.g., pulse oximetry O2 saturation \<90 %, respiratory rate \>=21 per minute, severe hypoxia requiring non-invasive ventilation, high-flow nasal canula, or mechanical ventilation, refractory hypotension requiring vasopressor support, heart rate \>100 beats per minute, etc.)
• • Patients with uncontrolled pulmonary diseases (like exacerbation of asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and/or other forms of chronic lung diseases)