Abstract
The pharmacokinetics and antimicrobial activity of ceftriaxone make it possible to treat serious bacterial infections with once daily intramuscular (IM) injections.
From 4/1/85 to 11/7/86, 98 pediatric patients hospitalized at Strong Memorial Hospital received ceftriaxone. Chart review indicated that 26 of these children completed antibiotic therapy as outpatients. Parents and physicians of children treated as outpatients were contacted by telephone for follow-up.
Diagnoses included: sepsis 9, meningitis 5, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, and pyelonephritis 2 each, and brain abscess, parotid abscess, peritonitis, empyema, periorbital cellulitis, and epiglottitis 1 each. Outpatient therapy consisted of once daily IM ceftriaxone for 21 children, twice daily for 4, and twice daily either IV or IM for a child with a brain abscess. Ceftriaxone was given for 235 outpatient days (range 1-32 days per patient) and was estimated to save at least $200 per day compared to treatment in hospital. Follow-up by telephone survey identified no drug related complications, no instances of relapse or recurrence, and a high level of acceptance by parents and physicians.
We conclude that in carefully selected cases treatment for serious bacterial infections can be completed in the ambulatory setting with considerable savings of health care dollars by using once daily IM ceftriaxone.
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Powell, K., Mawhorter, S. OUTPATIENT ADMINISTRATION OF CEFTRIAXONE TO COMPLETE TREATMENT FOR SERIOUS BACTERIAL INFECTIONS. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 332 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00990
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00990