Cefazolin Administration in Penicillin Allergic Patients

Author

Jessica DoerrFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-5-2023

Document Type

DNP Project

Project Team Faculty Member

Dr. Rebecca Collier

Project Team Faculty Member

Dr. Lauren Douglass

Keywords

cefazolin, Ancef, penicillin allergy, perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis, beta-lactam cross-reactivity, SSI prophylaxis

Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSI) are a type of hospital-acquired infection that are largely preventable. Cefazolin, a first-generation cephalosporin beta-lactam, is the recommended antibiotic for SSI prophylaxis (Bratzler et al., 2013). Approximately 10% of the general population reports a penicillin allergy (Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters et al., 2010). Penicillin is another beta-lactam. Penicillin-allergic patients are commonly prescribed alternative, less effective, antimicrobial agents for SSI prophylaxis, causing suboptimal outcomes. Current literature reports a cross-reactivity potential of less than 2%, with an even lower risk associated with cefazolin (Picard et al., 2019; Sousa-Pinto et al., 2021). This project aimed to review the literature surrounding beta-lactam allergy and cross-reactivity and create an evidence-based cefazolin administration algorithm for anesthesia providers at a tertiary care center in central Illinois. An educational presentation was conducted at the host facility, and participants completed a post-presentation survey to evaluate the algorithm. Implementation of the evidence-based algorithm optimized SSI prophylaxis, potentially improving patient outcomes, and avoiding the negative effects of alternative antibiotic administration.

Recommended Citation

Doerr, Jessica, "Cefazolin Administration in Penicillin Allergic Patients" (2023). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 288.
https://spark.siue.edu/dnpprojects/288

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