https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2022/06/news-scan-jun-07-2022
News Scan for Jun 07, 2022
Electronic algorithm for antibiotic stewardship;
Moderna mRNA flu vaccine
Filed Under:
Antimicrobial Stewardship;
Influenza Vaccines
Electronic algorithms show promise for identifying antibiotic overuse
Electronic algorithms developed by an antibiotic stewardship team at the University of Pennsylvania were highly accurate in detecting inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for bronchitis and pharyngitis, scientists reported yesterday in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.
Using ICD-10 diagnostic codes, the team of clinicians, pharmacists, and researchers identified adult patients in the University of Pennsylvania Health System who were treated for acute bronchitis and pharyngitis from Mar 15, 2017, to Mar 14, 2018. They then randomly selected 300 patients each with bronchitis and pharyngitis—two conditions for which antibiotic prescribing is common and often inappropriate—and compared assessment of antibiotic prescribing based on manual chart review (the gold standard) with the assessment of electronic algorithms constructed for each diagnosis using electronic health record data.
The criteria for appropriate prescribing, choice of antibiotic, and duration were based on established guidelines.
Of 300 subjects with bronchitis, 167 (55.7%) received an antibiotic inappropriately based on manual chart review. The electronic algorithm demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 95.3% specificity for detection of inappropriate prescribing. Of 300 subjects with pharyngitis, 94 (31.3%) had an incorrect prescribing decision. Among 29 subjects with a positive rapid streptococcal antigen test, 27 (93.1%) received an appropriate antibiotic and 29 (100%) received the correct duration. The electronic algorithm also demonstrated very high sensitivity and specificity for all outcomes.
The study authors say the findings highlight the potential for using electronic health records to reduce the workload of antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs).
"The results suggest our electronic algorithms for these two common outpatient clinical conditions can be used to efficiently and accurately identify instances of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing," they wrote. "These algorithms could provide longitudinal data on patterns of inappropriate antibiotic use and be reported at the level of the health system, the practice, and/or the individual provider to better inform and support ASP targets and initiatives."
Jun 6 Open Forum Infect Dis abstract
Moderna launches phase 3 trial of mRNA flu vaccine
Moderna today announced the launch of a phase 3 trial of its mRNA seasonal flu vaccine, which has a goal of immunizing about 6,000 adult participants in the Southern Hemisphere, which is entering its flu season.
In a statement, the company said the vaccine candidate, one of several respiratory disease vaccines in development, encodes for the hemagglutinin glycoprotein of the four flu virus strains recommended by the World Health Organization. It added that the surface glycoprotein is an important target for generating broad protection against flu and is the primary target for current flu vaccines.
For the study, researchers will compare the safety and immunogenicity of a single dose of the mRNA vaccine with a single dose of a licensed seasonal flu vaccine.
Stéphane Bancel, MBA, MS, Moderna's chief executive officer, said the speed and flexibility of the mRNA vaccine manufacturing process make it well positioned to address unmet needs for seasonal flu. He said Moderna's flu vaccine is a key part of its respiratory vaccine strategy, which also includes the development of combination products that target multiple viruses in a single vaccine, such as SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Besides a flu vaccine, the company is also working on a bivalent SARS-CoV-2 booster that covers the Omicron variant and vaccines for RSV and cytomegalovirus.
The company said it is planning for a confirmatory efficacy study for its mRNA flu vaccine as early as the 2022-23 Northern Hemisphere flu season, if needed.
Jun 7 Moderna press release
News Scan for Jun 07, 2022
Electronic algorithm for antibiotic stewardship;
Moderna mRNA flu vaccine
Filed Under:
Antimicrobial Stewardship;
Influenza Vaccines
Electronic algorithms show promise for identifying antibiotic overuse
Electronic algorithms developed by an antibiotic stewardship team at the University of Pennsylvania were highly accurate in detecting inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for bronchitis and pharyngitis, scientists reported yesterday in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.
Using ICD-10 diagnostic codes, the team of clinicians, pharmacists, and researchers identified adult patients in the University of Pennsylvania Health System who were treated for acute bronchitis and pharyngitis from Mar 15, 2017, to Mar 14, 2018. They then randomly selected 300 patients each with bronchitis and pharyngitis—two conditions for which antibiotic prescribing is common and often inappropriate—and compared assessment of antibiotic prescribing based on manual chart review (the gold standard) with the assessment of electronic algorithms constructed for each diagnosis using electronic health record data.
The criteria for appropriate prescribing, choice of antibiotic, and duration were based on established guidelines.
Of 300 subjects with bronchitis, 167 (55.7%) received an antibiotic inappropriately based on manual chart review. The electronic algorithm demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 95.3% specificity for detection of inappropriate prescribing. Of 300 subjects with pharyngitis, 94 (31.3%) had an incorrect prescribing decision. Among 29 subjects with a positive rapid streptococcal antigen test, 27 (93.1%) received an appropriate antibiotic and 29 (100%) received the correct duration. The electronic algorithm also demonstrated very high sensitivity and specificity for all outcomes.
The study authors say the findings highlight the potential for using electronic health records to reduce the workload of antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs).
"The results suggest our electronic algorithms for these two common outpatient clinical conditions can be used to efficiently and accurately identify instances of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing," they wrote. "These algorithms could provide longitudinal data on patterns of inappropriate antibiotic use and be reported at the level of the health system, the practice, and/or the individual provider to better inform and support ASP targets and initiatives."
Jun 6 Open Forum Infect Dis abstract
Moderna launches phase 3 trial of mRNA flu vaccine
Moderna today announced the launch of a phase 3 trial of its mRNA seasonal flu vaccine, which has a goal of immunizing about 6,000 adult participants in the Southern Hemisphere, which is entering its flu season.
In a statement, the company said the vaccine candidate, one of several respiratory disease vaccines in development, encodes for the hemagglutinin glycoprotein of the four flu virus strains recommended by the World Health Organization. It added that the surface glycoprotein is an important target for generating broad protection against flu and is the primary target for current flu vaccines.
For the study, researchers will compare the safety and immunogenicity of a single dose of the mRNA vaccine with a single dose of a licensed seasonal flu vaccine.
Stéphane Bancel, MBA, MS, Moderna's chief executive officer, said the speed and flexibility of the mRNA vaccine manufacturing process make it well positioned to address unmet needs for seasonal flu. He said Moderna's flu vaccine is a key part of its respiratory vaccine strategy, which also includes the development of combination products that target multiple viruses in a single vaccine, such as SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Besides a flu vaccine, the company is also working on a bivalent SARS-CoV-2 booster that covers the Omicron variant and vaccines for RSV and cytomegalovirus.
The company said it is planning for a confirmatory efficacy study for its mRNA flu vaccine as early as the 2022-23 Northern Hemisphere flu season, if needed.
Jun 7 Moderna press release