In this cohort study, the medical records of 1488 adult inpatients were examined for 30 days after antibiotic initiation for the development of antibiotic-associated ADEs.
Twenty percent of patients experienced at least one antibiotic-associated ADE. It was also noted that 20% of antibiotic regimens which had no clinical basis or diagnostic evidence for prescribing were associated with an ADE, including 7 cases of C. difficile infection.
Furthermore, it was noted that every additional 10 days of antibiotic therapy increased risk of an ADE by 3%. The most common ADEs were gastrointestinal, renal, and hematologic abnormalities, accounting for 78 (42%), 45 (24%), and 28 (15%) 30-day ADEs, respectively.
These findings again underpin the basis of the Test Target Treat - utilising diagnostics to guide appropriate treatment to reduce healthcare associated infections, adverse drug events and the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Read the full paper here: http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2630756?utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=content-shareicons&utm_content=article_engagement&utm_medium=social&utm_term=061317#.WUAWd5-4xYQ.twitter
