Spectrum: Local Antimicrobial Stewardship, for Fraser Health

Questionnaire

Rationale

  • Physicians are more likely to prescribe antimicrobials from other classes

  • Patients with a beta-lactam allergy may be exposed to non-first line antibiotics

  • Non-first line antibiotics may be less effective and more toxic increasing risk of undesirable outcomes (increased
    length of stay and C. difficile infections)

  • Up to 90% of patients with a reported penicillin allergy can tolerate penicillin when challenged

  • Questionnaire helps to identify patients that are deemed safe to undergo a penicillin challenge

Skin Test

Have you ever had a penicillin allergy skin test?

Questions

1) Can you describe the reaction?

2) Was the reaction serious?

3) Can you remember the allergic reaction yourself?

  • If not, who informed you of it?

4) How old were you at the time of reaction?

5) How long after starting the antibiotic did the reaction begin?

6) How was the reaction managed?

  • Were you hospitalized?

  • Was the medication discontinued?

  • What happened after stopping the medication?

7) Which antibiotic was prescribed to you?

  • Do you remember why it was prescribed?

8) Have you taken the antibiotic since?

  • If yes, what was the outcome?

9) Have you experienced this same reaction without taking the antibiotic?