Table 1.

Key strategies for the management of penicillin-allergic patients in an inpatient setting ^a.

Allergy Reconciliation b

Comprehensive patient and/or family interviews regarding drug allergy

Medical record assessment and corroboration with external pharmacy and other records

Update of allergy documentation in the medical record

Management

Penicillin skin test (PST)

Graded challenge

Desensitization

Avoidance of target antibiotic and/or class, and administration of alternative antibiotic therapy

^a A single strategy is often used in combination with others in an individual patient case, e.g., allergy reconciliation, PST, and graded challenge. ^b Should be performed on all patients with a documented penicillin allergy.