Determinants of beta-lactam PK/PD target attainment in critically ill patients: A single center retrospective study.

PURPOSE: We aimed to identify factors associated with achieving target BL plasma concentrations and describe real world data for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). METHODS: A retrospective single center study was conducted. We collected data from patients admitted to ICU with at least one BL TDM. We assessed the proportion of patients attaining the recommended plasma concentrations (i.e 100%fT > 4 to 8 MIC). Univariate and multivariate analyses was performed to identify the determinants of BL target attainment. RESULTS: 156 patients were included. At the first dosing, 34% achieved target BL plasma concentrations, 50% were overdosed, and 16% were underdosed. Median time for 1st TDM were 4 (SD = 2.9) days. Multivariate analysis revealed that CKD-EPI estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR = 1.02; CI [1.01; 1.03]; p < 0.0001) and total body weight (OR = 1.03; CI [1.01; 1.04]; p = 0.0048) were the main determinant of BL target attainment. Conversely, Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (OR = 0.28; CI [0.09; 0.89]; p = 0.0318) and meropenem use (OR = 0.31; CI [0.14; 0.69]; p = 0.0041) were identified as risk factors for overdosing. No factor was associated with underdosing. CONCLUSION: Achieving target BL plasma concentrations remains challenging in ICUs. Identifying predictive factors of BL target attainment would favor implementing rapid dosing optimization strategies in both under and overdosing high risk patients.

Assessment of patient adherence to anti-infective treatment after returning home.

OBJECTIVE: The lack of patient adherence to medical treatment has become a major concern for healthcare professionals. The World Health Organization estimated patient adherence to treatment at 50% only. The inadequate use of antibiotics can cause bacterial resistance the progression of which reduces therapeutic alternatives. The objective of this pilot study was to assess the patient's adherence to anti-infective agents prescribed for acute infection, after returning home. METHOD: Thirty-seven patients hospitalized in the Infectious and Tropical Diseases unit were included. Their adherence to anti-infective drugs was assessed indirectly through data collected by calling the pharmacy and the patient in the week following discontinuation of anti-infective treatment. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were identified as non-adherent (43.2%). A single patient could have several behaviors: extension of treatment (50%), dose modification (6.3%), voluntary omission (12.5%), and involuntary (6.3%). One patient (6.3%) did not take his anti-infective treatment. There was no major cause of non-adherence; every patient had his own reasons. The comparison of several criteria between adherent and non-adherent patients did not reveal any predictive risk factors. CONCLUSION: Our study results revealed for the first time that 50% of patients were adherent to anti-infective agents, after returning home. They confirm the need to implement preventive actions such as a discharge pharmaceutical consultation.

[Investigating clinical practice in antibiotic therapy for acute community-acquired pneumonia]. / Méthode d'évaluation des pratiques professionnelles (EPP) au cours de l'antibiothérapie des pneumopathies aiguës communautaires.

INTRODUCTION: Methods used for the assessment of professional practices must be dependable and reproducible. The aim of this study was to assess a method used in our hospital to assess antibiotic therapy for acute community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). METHOD: In this study, a pharmacist and two infectious disease specialists retrospectively and independently evaluated the compliance to local antibiotic guidelines for 124 patients. The assessment tool was a Medical Appropriateness Index (MAI) (nine items). The kappa agreement index (K) among experts was calculated. RESULTS: The agreement among experts was poor for the initial antibiotic treatment (K=0.16) and route of administration (K=0.14), low for the duration of treatment (K=0.34), and null for the dose and adjustment to 72 hours. CONCLUSION: Differences between experts can be explained by the complexity of medical records, the number of items assessed, the complexity of the MAI, but also by the specialization and experience of experts. Thus, the assessment of CAP antibiotic therapy requires the use of appropriate methods targeting reliable criteria.

[Development of a practical guide for utilization of injectable drugs in neonatology and in pediatrics]. / Elaboration d'un guide pratique d'utilisation des médicaments injectables en néonatalogie et en pédiatrie.

Although medications continue to be used extensively in the hospitalized paediatric patient, our knowledge regarding many of these agents remains limited. To date, apart from anecdotal case reports or studies involving a very limited number of patients, few data regarding the dosing and usage of medications in neonates and paediatric patients are available in the literature. This work has been conducted in order to provide sources of information on the intravenous administration of medication to these patients. All recommendations should be individualised in accordance with the clinical situation.