Antibiotic stewardship: A look at penicillin allergies

Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials is one of the world's most pressing public health problems. Infectious organisms adapt to the antimicrobials designed to kill them, making the drugs ineffective. People infected with antimicrobial-resistant organisms are more likely to have longer, more expensive hospital stays, and may be more likely to die as a result of an infection. What about penicillin allergies? How common are they and how does it impact antibiotic stewardship? Infectious disease physician, Steven LaRosa, MD writes in his blog, My thoughts on the future of infectious disease and medicine, that it is time we get serious about penicillin allergies as part of stewardship. Dr. LaRosa explains his position in this segment.