Title
Protocol-driven Antibiotic Treatment of Pediatric Empyema After Fibrinolysis.
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, W., Dorman, R. M., Dekonenko, C., Osuchukwu, O., Jain, S., Depala, K., Myers, A., Oyetunji, T. A., St Peter, S. D. Protocol-driven Antibiotic Treatment of Pediatric Empyema After Fibrinolysis. The Pediatric infectious disease journal 40, 44-48 (2021).