A standardized PN formulation was as effective as custom PN in achieving estimated caloric requirements, but it was relatively less effective in achieving 90% of estimated protein requirements and was associated with a higher frequency of hyponatremia. The standardized PN product may be a cost-effective formulation for institutions preparing an average of five or fewer PN orders per day.

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Facility-specific combination antibiograms may be used to inform antibiotic prescribing in HCAP patients.

There are no comparative data evaluating outcomes of ertapenem treatment for infections with AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae. This retrospective matched case-control study was conducted between 2009 and 2012. Sixteen cases treated with ertapenem were matched 1:2 with 32 control cases treated with cefepime based on age, culture source, and hospital service. There were more cefepime-resistant organisms in the ertapenem group (cefepime resistance present in 44% of patients treated with ertapenem compared with 0% of control patients, p < 0.001). Ertapenem was used empirically in 25% of patients compared with 88% who received cefepime empirically (p < 0.001). Consequently, 56% of patients on ertapenem received inappropriate initial therapy compared with 9% of patients on cefepime (p < 0.001). No differences in clinical success were identified (69% for ertapenem vs 88% for cefepime, p = 0.138). Although a trend favoring cefepime could be suspected, it should be noted that no statistically significant difference in clinical success was detected despite the presence of more resistant organisms and delays in initiation of appropriate therapy among patients receiving ertapenem.

Summary Background Fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics have become a target of many antimicrobial stewardship programmes. Multiple post-marketing warnings from the Food and Drug Administration caution against use of this drug class for certain infections due to risk of harmful adverse effects outweighing benefit. Commonly employed strategies to affect antibiotic prescribing can be restrictive and without improvement in overall antibiotic appropriateness or decrease in collateral damage. Aim To develop a strategy for sustainable optimization of FQ antibiotics. Setting Multi-state health-system of 14 hospitals and medical centers. Methods The health-system antimicrobial stewardship program identified the opportunity to improve FQ utilization. In collaboration with our data and analytics team, specific targets of FQ use in pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were established. Face-to-face provider education and prospective audit and feedback were the mainstays of the campaign. Enhancements to the electronic medical record to support the initiative were also implemented. Findings There was an overall decrease in FQ utilization by 56.9%. For pneumonia use of FQs decreased from 16.4% to 8.1% and in COPD changed from 29.6% to 9.7% over the same time period. Conclusions A non-restrictive FQ optimization initiative based on education and feedback decreased both FQ consumption and total antibiotic use across a large multi-hospital health-system.