Verify all patients with penicillin allergies. 10% of patients report penicillin allergies, but 90% of them can actually tolerate it. The true risk of anaphylaxis with penicillin is 0.01%. Ask the patient what reaction they have, when they last received a penicillin or cephalosporin, and review prior visits to see if they ever received penicillins or cephalosporins successfully. It is generally OK to g IVe cephalosporins for penicillin allergies unless there is a history of anaphylaxis to penicillins. Additionally, IgE sensitivity to penicillins tends to go away after 10 years.
Dalbavancin Protocol
ARMC ED Dalbavancin Protocol
FDA Indication: Skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI)
Off-label uses: Osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, prosthetic joint infection (PJI), bacteremia, endocarditis
ARMC indication in the ED: SSTI
Inclusion Criteria
Infection is highly suspected or known to be caused by a gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus [CoNS], Streptococcus spp., Enterococcus spp.)
Cellulitis with erythema size ≥ 75 cm²
Size is measured by the ellipse formula: (0.25 * π * L * W)
For reference, 75 cm² is approximately the size of the iPhone 5
Ineligible for oral antibiotics by meeting any of the following:
Severity of infection
Medication adherence issues
Cannot absorb oral antibiotics
No oral antibiotic options based on AST results or allergies
Failed previous course of oral antibiotics which were started ≤ 7 days ago
Approval by ID or Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) on weekdays from 8 AM – 5 PM; approval by ED pharmacist (03482) after hours or weekends/holidays
Able to follow up with ED or jail in 48-72 hours
Exclusion Criteria
History of hypersensitivity reaction to glycopeptide or lipoglycopeptide antibiotics (vancomycin, dalbavancin, telavancin, oritavancin)
Severe sepsis or septic shock
Infection potentially caused by gram-negative bacteria. Examples include necrotizing fasciitis, surgical site infections (SSIs), diabetic foot infections (DFIs), sacral ulcer infections, perineal/perirectal infections, facial infections, animal/human bites, penetrating trauma, and prior gram-negative infection at the same site
Known or suspected osteomyelitis or septic arthritis
Injection drug use with fever
Immunocompromised patients
Plans for surgery or other intervention anticipated after ED care
Workflow
Obtain authorization
Weekdays from 8 AM – 5 PM: Message the “Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) group” via EPIC Secure Chat. This is found under “Groups” and not “People.” Alternatively, page the on-call ID physician
After hours or weekends/holidays: Contact the ED Pharmacist (03482)
Mark the borders of erythema and take a photo under the EPIC “Media” tab
If applicable, perform I&D and obtain wound cultures from pus
Order Dalbavancin
CrCl ≥ 30 or on HD: 1500 mg x 1
CrCl < 30 and not on HD: 1125 mg x 1
Obtain blood cultures only if the patient meets sepsis criteria
Establish follow up with ED or jail in 48-72 hours
Community acquired
Outpatient:
ciprofloxacin 500 mg PO BID + metronidazole 500 mg PO TID x7d
amoxicillin/clavulanate 875/125 PO BID x7d
Inpatient
ceftriaxone 2 g IV q24h + metronidazole 500 mg IV q8h
If Pseudomonas suspected or severe (abscess, gangrenous, perforated):
cefepime 2 g IV q12h + metronidazole 500 mg IV q8h
Hospital acquired:
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + piperacillin/tazobactam 4.5g IV q8h
Severe PCN allergy:
levofloxacin 750 mg IV q24h (OR ciprofloxacin) + metronidazole 500 mg IV q8h
Mild
I&D only
no abx indicated unless extensive surrounding cellulitis
TMP/SMX DS 2 tab PO BID x7d
clindamycin 450 mg PO TID x7d
doxycycline 100 mg PO BID x7d
If extensive surrounding cellulitis, add:
cephalexin 500 mg PO qID x7d
dicloxacillin 500 mg PO QID x7d
Moderate:
cefazolin 2g IV q8h
nafcillin 2g IV q4h
clindamycin 600 mg IV q8h
Diabetic foot ulcer:
non- septic: hold antibiotics until culture obtained
septic/unstable: refer to severe sepsis order set
If MRSA suspected:
add vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h
Blood Cx
Severe:
refer to sepsis order set
ampicillin/sulbactam 3g IV q6h
ceftriaxone 2g IV q24h + metronidazole 500 mg IV q12h
piperacillin/tazobactam 4.5g IV q8h
Severe PCN allergy:
metronidazole 500 mg IV q12h + levofloxaxin 750 mg IV q24h
Augmentin 875/125 mg PO BID x7-10d
clindamycin 450mg PO Q8H x7-10d
consider Decadron 10mg x1
Unasyn 3g IV
ceftriaxone 2g IV + Flagyl 500mg IV
clindamycin 600-900mg IV
Blood Cx
cefotetan/cefoxitin 2g IV + doxycycline 100mg IV
clindamycin 900mg IV Q8H + gentamicin 3-5 mg/kg IV DAILY
ceftriaxone 2 g IV q24h + metronidazole 500 mg IV q8h
Severe (abscess, gangrenous, perforated):
cefepime 2g IV q12h + metronidazole 500 mg IV q8h
Severe PCN allergy:
levofloxacin 750 mg IV q24h (OR ciprofloxacin) + metronidazole 500 mg IV q8h
Blood Cx
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + ceftriaxone 2g IV q24h
If Pseudomonas suspected:
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + ceftazidime 2g IV q8h
If Neisseria gonorrhoeae suspected:
ceftriaxone 1g IV/IM q24h x7d + azithromycin 1 gm PO x1
Severe PCN allergy:
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV q8h (works for sickle cell)
consider rifampin 600 mg IV for infected hardware
Synovial Fluid Cx
Unasyn 3g IV
ceftriaxone 1g IV + Flagyl 500mg IV
Zosyn 4.5g IV
Blood and Sputum Cx
Severe PCN allergy:
Flagyl 500mg IV + levofloxaxin 750mg IV
Outpatient
Treat all bites undergoing primary closure, on face / hands / feet, close to bone / joint, deep puncture wounds, crush injury, or immunocompromised
amoxicillin/clavulanate 875/125mg PO BID x7d
doxycycline 100mg PO BID x7d
clindamycin 450mg PO Q8H + TMP/SMX DS 1-2 tab PO BID x7d
Tdap and Rabies prophylaxis depending on history
Inpatient
ampicillin/sulbactam 3g IV q6H
Severe PCN allergy:
clindamycin 900 mg IV q8h + levofloxacin 750 mg PO q24h
Tdap and Rabies prophylaxis depending on history
Mild/Moderate:
vancomycin 125 mg PO q6H
fidaxomicin 200 mg PO q12h
Fulminant/Severe:
vancomycin 500 mg PO q6h + metronidazole 500 mg IV q8h
Stool Sample
Outpatient
azithromycin (Z-pak 500 mg 1st day, then 250 mg DAILY x 4)
doxycycline 100 mg PO BID x5-7d
levofloxacin 750 mg PO DAILY x5d
Outpatient w/significant co-morbidities
amoxicillin/clavulanate 875/125 mg PO BID x5-7d + azithromycin PO (Z-pak)
amoxicillin/clavulanate 875/125 mg PO BID + doxycycline 100 mg PO BID x5-7d
Inpatient
ceftriaxone 2 g IV q24h + azithromycin 500 mg q24h
ceftriaxone 2 g IV q24h + doxycycline 100 mg q12h
levofloxacin 750 mg IV q24h
Blood and Sputum Cx
If concern for MRSA or Pseudomonas:
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + ceftazidime 2 g IV q8h
If ICU:
add amikacin 10-15 mg/kg IV q24h
Severe PCN allergy:
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + aztreonam 2 g IV q8h +/- amikacin 10-15 mg/kg IV q24h
Mild:
non-purulent
cephalexin 500 mg PO qID x7d
dicloxacillin 500 mg PO QID x7d
treat x14d if diabetic foot ulcer
purulent
TMP/SMX DS 2 tab PO BID x7d
clindamycin 450 mg PO TID x7d
doxycycline 100 mg PO BID x7d
if single abscess < 2 cm with no comorbidities and normal vitals: I&D only; no antibiotics
Moderate:
cefazolin 2g IV q8h
nafcillin 2g IV q4h
clindamycin 600 mg IV q8h
Diabetic foot ulcer:
non- septic: hold antibiotics until culture obtained
septic/unstable: refer to severe sepsis order set
If MRSA suspected:
add vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h
Blood Cx
Severe:
refer to sepsis order set
vancomycin 15-20mg IV + Unasyn 3g IV
vancomycin 15-20mg IV + ceftriaxone 2g IV +/- Flagyl 500mg IV
Severe PCN allergy:
vancomycin 15-20mg IV + levofloxacin 750mg IV +/- Flagyl 500mg IV
Blood Cx
Augmentin 875/125mg PO BID x10d
clindamycin 450mg PO Q8H x10d
Keflex 500mg PO Q6H + Bactrim DS 1-2 tab BID x10d
ceftriaxone 500 mg IM x1 + azithromycin 1g PO x1
If enteric pathogen strongly suspected:
consider levofloxacin 500 mg PO DAILY x7-10d
If azithromycin allergy:
ceftriaxone 500 mg IM x1 + doxycycline 100 mg PO BID x7d
If severe PCN allergy:
gentamicin 240 mg IM x1 + azithromycin 2g PO x1
ceftriaxone 2 g IV q24h + metronidazole 500 mg IV q8h
Pseudomonas suspected or severe (abscess, gangrenous, perforated):
cefepime 2g IV q12h + metronidazole 500 mg IV q8h
Severe PCN allergy:
levofloxacin 750 mg IV q24h (OR ciprofloxacin) + metronidazole 500 mg IV q8h
Blood Cx
ceftriaxone 2 g IV q24h + metronidazole 500 mg IV q8h
Pseudomonas suspected or severe (abscess, gangrenous, perforated):
cefepime 2g IV q12h + metronidazole 500 mg IV q8h
Severe PCN allergy:
levofloxacin 750 mg IV q24h (OR ciprofloxacin) + metronidazole 500 mg IV q8h
cephalexin 500mg PO BID x5d (ok during pregnancy too)
nitrofurantoin ER (Macrobid) 100mg PO BID x5d
ciprofloxacin 250 mg PO BID x 3d
TMP/SMX DS 1 tab PO BID x5d
fosfomycin 3g PO x1
Complicated: see pyelo inpatient (obstruction, catheters, reflux, nosocomial, pregnancy, immunocompromised)
non- septic: hold antibiotics until culture obtained
septic/unstable: refer to severe sepsis order set
refer to SSTI order set
Outpatient:
ciprofloxacin 500 mg PO BID + metronidazole 500 mg PO TID x7d
amoxicillin/clavulanate 875/125 PO BID x7d
Inpatient mild:
ceftriaxone 2 g IV q24h + metronidazole 500 mg IV q8h
Inpatient severe:
cefepime 2 g IV q12h + metronidazole 500 mg IV q8h
Severe PCN allergy:
levofloxacin 750 mg IV q24h (OR ciprofloxacin) + metronidazole 500 mg IV q8h
Blood Cx
acyclovir 10mg/kg IV
CSF and Blood Cx
ceftriaxone 500 mg IM x1 + doxycycline 100 mg PO BID x7d
If enteric pathogen strongly suspected:
consider levofloxacin 500 mg PO DAILY x7-10d
If compliance is an issue:
ceftriaxone 500 mg IM x1 + azithromycin 1g PO x1
If severe PCN allergy:
gentamicin 240 mg IM x1 + azithromycin 2g PO x1
Urine Cx
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia PCR
ceftriaxone 1g IV
Unasyn 3g IV
If severe infection or immunocompromised:
vancomycin 15-20mg/kg IV + cefepime 2g IV
Severe PCN allergy:
levofloxacin 750mg IV
Blood Cx
Clean, linear laceration without extensive soft tissue injury, flaps, or avulsion:
cefazolin 2g IV q8h monotherapy
If fracture > 1cm with extensive soft tissue damage or heavily contaminated:
add gentamicin 5mg/kg IV q24h
If soil contamination:
consider adding penicillin VK 2M units IV q4h
Severe PCN allergy:
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h +/- gentamicin 5 mg/kg IV q24h
Risk factors: hospitalized 2+ days in last 90 days, IV antibiotics / chemotherapy in last 30 days, nursing home, dialysis, immunosuppressed
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + ceftazidime 2 g IV q8h
If ICU:
add amikacin 10-15 mg/kg IV q24h
Severe PCN allergy:
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + aztreonam 2 g IV q8h +/- amikacin 10-15 mg/kg IV q24h
Blood and Sputum Cx
Unasyn 3g IV
ceftriaxone 2g IV + Flagyl 500mg IV
clindamycin 600mg IV
If immunocompromised: consider MRSA + Pseudomonas coverage
Blood Cx
ampicillin/sulbactam 3g IV q6h
ceftriaxone 2g IV q24h + metronidazole 500 mg IV q12h
piperacillin/tazobactam 4.5g IV q8h
Severe PCN allergy:
metronidazole 500 mg IV q12h + levofloxaxin 750 mg IV q24h
Unasyn 3g IV
If concerned for MRSA:
add vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV
Severe PCN allergy:
aztreonam 2g IV (preferred) OR clindamycin 600mg IV
Blood Cx
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + ceftriaxone 2g IV q12h
add dexamethasone 10 mg IV (with 1st antibiotic)
If age > 50 or immunocompromised:
add ampicillin 2g IV q6h for Listeria
If concern for HSV/encephalitis:
add acyclovir 10 mg/kg IV q8h
If hospital-acquired:
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + ceftazidime 2g IV q8h
If Neisseria gonorrhoeae suspected:
ceftriaxone 1-2g IV/IM q12-24h x 10-14d + azithromycin 1 gm PO x1
clindamycin 900 mg IV FIRST for anti- toxin effects
then vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + piperacillin/tazobactam 4.5g IV q8h
Severe PCN allergy:
clindamycin 900 mg IV + vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + meropenem 2g IV q8h
Wound + Blood Cx
Clean, linear laceration without extensive soft tissue injury, flaps, or avulsion:
cefazolin 2g IV q8h monotherapy
If fracture > 1cm with extensive soft tissue damage or heavily contaminated:
add gentamicin 5mg/kg IV q24h
If soil contamination:
consider adding penicillin VK 2M units IV q4h
Severe PCN allergy:
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h +/- gentamicin 5 mg/kg IV q24h
vancomycin 15-20mg IV + Unasyn 3g IV
vancomycin 15-20mg IV + ceftriaxone 2g IV +/- Flagyl 500mg IV
Severe PCN allergy:
vancomycin 15-20mg IV + levofloxacin 750mg IV +/- Flagyl 500mg IV
Blood Cx
hold antibiotics until culture obtained if non-septic/stable
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + ceftriaxone 2g IV q24h
If Pseudomonas suspected:
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + ceftazidime 2g IV q8h
Severe PCN allergy:
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV q8h (works for sickle cell)
consider Rifampin 600 mg IV for infected hardware
amoxicillin 45 mg/kg PO BID x7-10d
Severe PCN allergy:
azithromycin PO (Z-pak)
If antibiotics in last month or treatment failure:
Augmentin 875/125mg PO BID x7-10d
ceftriaxone 1g IV
Severe PCN allergy:
ciprofloxacin 400mg IV
Augmentin 875/125 mg PO BID x7-10d
clindamycin 450mg PO Q8H x7-10d
consider Decadron 10mg x1
Antibiotics only if concerned for Strep
penicillin VK 500mg PO BID x10d
benzathine penicillin G 1.2 M units x 1
consider Decadron 10mg x1
Severe PCN allergy:
azithromycin 500 mg PO DAILY x5d
clindamycin 300mg PO TID x10d
Outpatient:
ceftriaxone 500 mg IM x1 + doxycycline 100 mg PO BID x 14d
If recent instrumentation or concern for BV/trichomonas:
add metronidazole 500 mg q12h
Inpatient:
cefoxitin 2 g IV q6H + doxycycline 100 mg IV q12h
clindamycin 900 mg IV q8h + gentamicin 3-5 mg/kg IV q24h
Unasyn 3g IV
ceftriaxone 1g IV + Flagyl 500mg IV
Zosyn 4.5g IV
Blood and Sputum Cx
Severe PCN allergy:
Flagyl 500mg IV + levofloxaxin 750mg IV
Outpatient
azithromycin (Z-pak 500 mg 1st day, then 250 mg DAILY x 4)
doxycycline 100 mg PO BID x5-7d
levofloxacin 750 mg PO DAILY x5d
Outpatient w/significant co-morbidities
amoxicillin/clavulanate 875/125 mg PO BID x5-7d + azithromycin PO (Z-pak)
amoxicillin/clavulanate 875/125 mg PO BID + doxycycline 100 mg PO BID x5-7d
Inpatient
ceftriaxone 2 g IV q24h + azithromycin 500 mg q24h
ceftriaxone 2 g IV q24h + doxycycline 100 mg q12h
levofloxacin 750 mg IV q24h
Blood and Sputum Cx
If concern for MRSA or Pseudomonas:
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + ceftazidime 2 g IV q8h
If ICU:
add amikacin 10-15 mg/kg IV q24h
Severe PCN allergy:
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + aztreonam 2 g IV q8h +/- amikacin 10-15 mg/kg IV q24h
Risk factors: hospitalized 2+ days in last 90 days, IV antibiotics / chemotherapy in last 30 days, nursing home, dialysis, immunosuppressed
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + ceftazidime 2 g IV q8h
If ICU:
add amikacin 10-15 mg/kg IV q24h
Severe PCN allergy:
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + aztreonam 2 g IV q8h +/- amikacin 10-15 mg/kg IV q24h
Blood and Sputum Cx
vancomycin 15-20mg/kg IV + cefepime 2g IV +/- levofloxacin 750mg IV
Severe PCN allergy:
vancomycin 15-20mg/kg IV + aztreonam 2g IV + levofloxacin 750mg IV
Blood and Sputum Cx
Augmentin 875/125mg PO BID x10d
clindamycin 450mg PO Q8H x10d
Keflex 500mg PO Q6H + Bactrim DS 1-2 tab BID x10d
Outpatient
cephalexin 500mg PO QID x10d; consider ceftriaxone 1g IM x1 prior to discharge
ciprofloxacin 500 mg PO BID x7d
levofloxacin 750 mg PO DAILY x7d
TMP/SMX DS 1 tab PO BID x14d
Inpatient
refer to prior urine cultures and adjust antibiotic selection accordingly
ceftriaxone 2g IV q24h
ceftazidime 2g IV q8h
ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV q12h
levofloxacin 750 mg IV q24h
If hospital-acquired:
ceftazidime 2g IV q8h
If ICU:
add amikacin 10-15 mg/kg IV q24h
Unasyn 3g IV
ceftriaxone 2g IV + Flagyl 500mg IV
clindamycin 600-900mg IV
Blood Cx
Tailor to source; refer to sepsis order set
If source completely unknown
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + cefepime 2g IV q12h
add metronidazole 500 mg IV q8h if concern for anaerobes
Blood Cx
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + ceftriaxone 2g IV q24h
If Pseudomonas suspected:
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + ceftazidime 2g IV q8h
Severe PCN allergy:
vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h + ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV q8h (works for sickle cell)
consider rifampin 600 mg IV for infected hardware
Synovial Fluid Cx
Antibiotics only if symptoms > 7-10 days
Augmentin 875/125mg PO BID x7d
doxycycline 100mg PO BID x7d
ceftriaxone 2 g IV q24h
Severe PCN allergy:
ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV q12h
Mild:
non-purulent
cephalexin 500 mg PO qID x7d
dicloxacillin 500 mg PO QID x7d
treat x14d if diabetic foot ulcer
purulent
TMP/SMX DS 2 tab PO BID x7d
clindamycin 450 mg PO TID x7d
doxycycline 100 mg PO BID x7d
if single abscess < 2 cm with no comorbidities and normal vitals: I&D only; no antibiotics
Moderate:
cefazolin 2g IV q8h
nafcillin 2g IV q4h
clindamycin 600 mg IV q8h
Diabetic foot ulcer:
non- septic: hold antibiotics until culture obtained
septic/unstable: refer to severe sepsis order set
If MRSA suspected:
add vancomycin 15-20 mg/kg IV q12h
Blood Cx
Severe:
refer to sepsis order set
Early Stage
penicillin G benzathine 2.4 M units IM x1
Late Stage
penicillin G benzathine 2.4 M units IM qweekly x3
Neurosyphilis
penicillin G 3-4 M units IV q4h x10-14d
Severe PCN allergy:
doxycycline 100 mg PO BID x14d (28d for late stage)
PCN desensitization still preferred if possible
Antibiotics only if concerned for Strep
penicillin VK 500mg PO BID x10d
benzathine penicillin G 1.2M units x 1
consider Decadron 10mg x1
Severe PCN allergy:
azithromycin 500mg PO DAILY x5d OR clindamycin 300mg PO Q8H x10d
cefotetan/cefoxitin 2g IV + doxycycline 100mg IV
clindamycin 900mg IV Q8H + gentamicin 3-5 mg/kg IV DAILY
Outpatient
Keflex 500mg PO Q6H x14d
clindamycin 450mg PO Q8H
doxycycline 100mg PO BID x14d
If MRSA suspected:
add Bactrim DS 1tab PO BID
Inpatient
ceftriaxone 1g IV
clindamycin 600mg IV + levofloxacin 750mg IV
If MRSA suspected:
add vancomycin 15-20mg/kg IV
If severe:
vancomycin 15-20mg/kg IV + cefepime 2g IV +Flagyl 500mg IV
vancomycin 15-20mg/kg IV + Flagyl 500mg IV + aztreonam 2g IV
Wound Cx
ceftriaxone 500 mg IM x1 + azithromycin 1g PO x1
If enteric pathogen strongly suspected:
consider levofloxacin 500 mg PO DAILY x7-10d
If azithromycin allergy:
ceftriaxone 500 mg IM x1 + doxycycline 100 mg PO BID x7d
If severe PCN allergy:
gentamicin 240 mg IM x1 + azithromycin 2g PO x1
Urine Cx
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia PCR
cephalexin 500mg PO BID x5d (ok during pregnancy too)
nitrofurantoin ER (Macrobid) 100mg PO BID x5d
ciprofloxacin 250 mg PO BID x 3d
TMP/SMX DS 1 tab PO BID x5d
fosfomycin 3g PO x1
Complicated: see pyelo inpatient (obstruction, catheters, reflux, nosocomial, pregnancy, immunocompromised)
vancomycin 15-20mg/kg IV + cefepime 2g IV +/- levofloxacin 750mg IV
Severe PCN allergy:
vancomycin 15-20mg/kg IV + aztreonam 2g IV + levofloxacin 750mg IV
Blood and Sputum Cx