Gap Analysis for the Conversion to Area Under the Curve Vancomycin Monitoring in a Small Rural Hospital

Abstract

Consensus guidelines for vancomycin monitoring now recommend area under the curve (AUC) calculations for optimal vancomycin efficacy and safety. This will be a major practice change for many facilities. Implementation guidance is available but has not been reported in smaller, primary care hospitals. The objective of this study was to measure the uptake of AUC monitoring implementation in a rural facility. This is a gap analysis evaluating the appropriateness of vancomycin levels tests after the April 1, 2019 transition. All vancomycin levels between April 2019 and June 2019 after the go-live date were included with no exclusions in a retrospective chart review. The primary outcome was the proportion of levels in the appropriate time frame: peaks 1 to 2 hours after infusion with troughs at least 1 half-life after initial dose and prior to the next dose. Secondary outcomes included reasons identified for inappropriate levels and the proportion of AUC24 calculations within therapeutic range (400-600 mg.h/L). Descriptive statistics were used to measure the scope and outcomes of this transition. The transition was effective with 97% of cases utilizing AUC-based methods. There were 65 vancomycin levels in the 3-month study period with 86% deemed appropriate. Of the 9 inappropriate levels, 4 had to be repeated for accurate monitoring. There were 28 two-level couplets used for AUC24 calculations, 17 (61%) fell within therapeutic range. Implementation strategies for the AUC transition described in tertiary medical centers can be successfully utilized in primary facilities.