Protocol-driven Antibiotic Treatment of Pediatric Empyema After Fibrinolysis.

Creator(s)

Wendy Jo Svetanoff, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Robert M. Dorman, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Charlene Dekonenko, Children's Mercy Hospital
Obiyo Osuchukwu, Children's Mercy Hospital
Shubhika Jain
Kartik Depala
Angela Myers, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Tolulope A. Oyetunji MD MPH, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Shawn D. St Peter, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-2021

Identifier

DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000002872

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The duration of antibiotic treatment after resolution of empyema in children is variable. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a protocol-driven antibiotic regimen aimed to decrease antibiotic duration following treatment with fibrinolysis.

METHODS: Our institutional protocol consisted of 7 further days of antibiotics upon removal of the thoracostomy tube, with the patient being afebrile, off supplemental oxygen, and having negative cultures. A prospective observational study was then performed between September 2014 and March 2019. Empyema recurrence and antibiotic-related complications were recorded. Results were compared with previously published data from the preprotocol era.

RESULTS: A total of 37 patients were included. Mean total duration of antibiotics decreased from 26 ± 6.5 days in the preprotocol group to 22 ± 9.7 days in the postprotocol group (P = 0.004). This resulted in a significant decrease in hospital stay from the preprotocol cohort to the postprotocol cohort, respectively (9.3 ± 4.8 d versus 6.8 ± 3.1 d, P = 0.003). Sixty-two percentage of the patients were intended to treat according to the protocol, with a 50% adherence rate. Patients in which the protocol was followed had an average of 2.8 fewer days of antibiotics after discharge (P = 0.004), although overall duration was not statistically different. Significantly fewer antibiotic-related complications were noted after protocol initiation. There was no difference in empyema recurrence or readmissions.

CONCLUSIONS: Institution of a protocol-driven approach to antibiotic duration following resolution of pleural space disease may reduce antibiotic duration and complications without reducing efficacy.

Journal Title

The Pediatric infectious disease journal

Volume

40

Issue

1

First Page

44

Last Page

48

Recommended Citation

Svetanoff WJ, Dorman RM, Dekonenko C, et al. Protocol-driven Antibiotic Treatment of Pediatric Empyema After Fibrinolysis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2021;40(1):44-48. doi:10.1097/INF.0000000000002872