ACCURACY OF PENICILLIN ALLERGY REPORTING

The consistency of penicillin allergy documentation in the patient cha rt, pharmacy profile, and medication administration record was assesse d, along with the correctness of the self-reported patient history of penicillin allergy. One hundred fifty adult in-patients with a reporte d penicillin allergy were interviewed about their allergy. Questions i ncluded length of time since the allergic reaction, symptoms of the re action, and whether rechallenge was ever attempted. Patients were clas sified into categories of (1) more severe allergy, (2) less severe all ergy, or (3) intolerance on the basis of results of the interview. The patient pharmacy profile, chart, and medication administration record were reviewed to determine whether the allergy label was present. Pat ients who received antimicrobials during their hospitalization were ev aluated. Of 117 patients, 82.9% were classified as allergic and 17.1% as intolerant. The allergy was documented in 98.7% of patient charts a nd 96.7% of medication administration records. The symptoms of the all ergic reaction were described in the chart for only 34% of patients. A gents substituted for penicillin were potentially more toxic in 70.4% of cases, equally effective in all cases, and more costly in 55.5% of cases. Most, but not all, patients labeled as penicillin allergic had a history consistent with an allergy to the drug. Pharmacists can help ensure accurate allergy documentation by evaluating patients and educ ating both patients and health care professionals.