Discontinuation Patterns and Cost Avoidance of a Pharmacist-Driven Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing Protocol for De-escalation of Empiric Vancomycin for Suspected Pneumonia. (4th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meng, L; Pourali, S; Hitchcock, M M; Ha, D R; Mui, E; Alegria, W; Fox, E; Diep, C; Swayngim, R; Chang, A; Banaei, N; Deresinski, S; Holubar, M
• Is Part Of: Open forum infectious diseases. Volume 8:Number 4(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03-04
• Subjects: MRSA -- pneumonia -- rapid diagnostics -- stewardship -- vancomycin; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab099
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2328-8957

Abstract

Abstract: A pharmacist-driven methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based testing protocol with a 70% acceptance rate for vancomycin discontinuation within 24 hours of negative results significantly reduced unnecessary vancomycin use with an estimated cost avoidance of $40 per vancomycin course. We found high concordance (141 of 147, 96%) of culture-based versus PCR-based MRSA nasal screening.