The American journal of emergency medicine
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Previous research has illustrated the importance of collection of microbiologic cultures prior to first antimicrobial dose (FAD) in septic patients to avoid sterilization of pathogens and thus allowing confirmation of infection, identification of pathogen(s), and de-escalation of antimicrobial therapy. There is currently a lack of literature characterizing the implications and clinical courses of patients who have cultures collected after FAD. ⋯ Sepsis patients who have cultures obtained after FAD (represented in the AF cohort) had less positive-cultures, shorter TFAD, a trend toward longer ICU and hospital LOS, and perhaps higher risk of C. difficile infection, and mortality.
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It is critical to engage ED providers in antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP). Emergency medicine pharmacists (EMPs) play an important role in ASP by working with providers to choose empiric antimicrobials. This study aimed to determine the impact of an EMP on appropriate empiric antibiotic prescribing for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and intra-abdominal infections (CA-IAI). ⋯ The presence of an EMP significantly improved guideline-concordant empiric antibiotic prescribing for CAP and CA-IAI in both an early and established ASP. Inpatient orders were more likely to be guideline-concordant if appropriate therapy was ordered in the ED.
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Purulent bacterial pericarditis is a rare and potentially fatal disease. The course may be fulminant, and the presentation may pose a diagnostic challenge. ⋯ An otherwise healthy 75-year-old male was brought to the emergency department in a state of general deterioration, confusion, and shock. Bedside ultrasound showed a significant pericardial effusion. His condition quickly deteriorated and the resuscitation included emergent bedside pericardiocentesis. The drainage was purulent and later cultures grew out Streptococcus pneumoniae. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Purulent pericarditis is extremely rare but should be considered in the patient with a fulminant infectious process (particularly pneumonia) and signs of pericardial effusion. Treatment should include appropriate antibiotics and early drainage.