Re-designing an decision making algorithm for Surgical Prophylaxis & β-lactam Allergy

Many patients who report penicillin allergies provide vague descriptions of their symptoms or simply recall being told they have an allergy. In other cases, they cannot remember the details because it happened so long ago.

In most instances, penicillin allergies do not involve severe allergic reactions. However, due to the reported allergy, patients often receive less effective antibiotics, which can increase their risk of infection after surgical procedures.

This algorithm was created to help doctors understand the cross-reactivity of Beta-lactam antibiotics and the safety of cefazolin in patients with penicillin allergies. It aims to improve antibiotic administration prior to surgery, thereby reducing the risk of infection.

Our team was tasked with testing and refining the algorithm with doctors with the goal of increasing its usability in Alberta’s surgical procedures.