Does a Pharmacist-Driven Protocol Increase Appropriate Prescribing of Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis?

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Human rabies can be prevented through postexposure prophylaxis (PEP). Although the case fatality rate is high, there are only one to three human cases per year in the United States. Despite the low incidence, the cost of rabies diagnostics, prevention, and control is significant. Recommendations exist regarding which patients should receive PEP, though several studies demonstrate a high frequency of unnecessary prescribing of PEP. The purpose of this study is to determine if an animal bite protocol improves compliance with state and national recommendations regarding treatment of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). Potential cost savings will also be evaluated. An institutional review board-approved, single-center, retrospective chart review was conducted from January 1, 2017 to March 18, 2018 to evaluate patients presenting to the ED with an animal bite prior to and after implementation of a protocol. The primary outcome was defined as the percentage of PEP offered as indicated by the protocol. Secondary outcomes included the appropriateness of not offering PEP and estimated cost savings after protocol implementation. PEP was indicated four times out of 29 offers pre-protocol and three times out of five offers post-protocol (p=0.0476). There was no difference in the appropriateness of not offering PEP (pre-protocol 105/107 times vs. 29/29 times; p=0.9998). Cost savings was associated with protocol implementation. A pharmacist-driven protocol can beneficially influence prescribing habits after potential rabies exposure and is associated with cost savings.