Appropriate Use of Vancomycin in a Pediatric Emergency Department Through the Use of a Standardized Electronic Guideline

Abstract

(a) Compare utilization of vancomycin in the ED prior to and after implementation of standardized treatment guideline and order template (STGOT); (b) assess the appropriate use as initial therapy based on indication versus admitting diagnosis. Chart audits on all patients who received vancomycin and were admitted. Overall utilization and appropriateness of starting therapy were compared pre-and post-STGOT implementation. Overall utilization of vancomycin was 4% pre-STGOT compared to 3% post-STGOT; 98% of patients pre-STGOT compared to 99% post-STGOT received vancomycin appropriately. There was no difference in vancomycin utilization and appropriateness of initiating therapy after STGOT implementation.