13 Nov False Penicillin Allergy Hard to Remove From Medical Records

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Sonam Sani MD
Allergy & Immunology Fellow
NYU Winthrop Hospital

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: Penicillin allergy label removal is becoming more common. Studies have shown that while 10% of the general population report an allergy to penicillin, after testing only 1% truly have an allergy. Allergists have the ability to evaluate patient’s for penicillin allergy by performing skin tests and oral challenges. However, even when people test negative for penicillin allergy, they still face barriers to having the label removed. We are noting more and more that despite having negative testing, upon further encounters, our patients still have their penicillin allergy label.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: Our study found that of the 52 patients who tested negative to penicillin and were interviewed, 98 percent understood they were not allergic to penicillin. Of those, 29 percent still had a penicillin allergy label in their electronic medical record, and 24 percent still carried the label in their pharmacy records. Four patients continued to avoid penicillin and continued to report a penicillin allergy to new health care providers

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: The biggest takeaway is that penicillin allergy evaluation is becoming more widespread, and patients are being evaluated, as appropriate. However, despite having negative penicillin testing, some patients still carry their penicillin allergy label in their electronic medical record and pharmacy records. Some patients are still hesitant to take further penicillins if prescribed, and these are all barriers that we as Allergists face, and need to work together to overcome.  

No disclosures

Citation:

Presentation Title: Barriers and Challenges in Removing Penicillin Allergy Labels
Presenter: Sonam Sani, MD

American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting November 2019

https://acaai.org/news-roundup-breaking-news-pencillin-allergy

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Last Updated on November 13, 2019 by Marie Benz MD FAAD