2094. Acceptability of Antibiotic Substitutions for Fluoroquinolones and Third and Fourth-generation Cephalosporins: A Report from the VA-CDC Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN)

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest fluoroquinolones (FQ), and third (3C) and fourth (4C) generation cephalosporins, agents often used for empiric therapy, place patients at higher risk for C. difficile infection. Substituting alternative antibiotics for empiric therapy might reduce risk. We surveyed inpatient physician (MD) and pharmacist (PharmD) antimicrobial stewardship champions to evaluate their preferred FQ, 3C and 4C substitutions for empiric therapy. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the antimicrobial stewardship MD and the PharmD champion from each of the 15 VA-CDC Practice Based Research Network (PBRN) sites. Interviewees were asked what empiric antibiotics for pneumonia and urinary tract infections would be recommended in local guidelines if all 3C, 4C and FQ were restricted. Respondents could list multiple antibiotics. Templated data collection and analysis were used to assist in rapid analysis of interviews. RESULTS: Narrow β-lactams were identified as appropriate options for CAP by 8 MD and 9 PharmD (table). Piperacillin/tazobactam was the preferred choice by MDs and PharmDs for HCAP (7 and 12, respectively) and HAP (10 and 12, respectively). For community-onset urinary tract infections (cUTI), numerous alternatives to FQ, 3C and 4C were identified. For hospital-onset (hUTI), piperacillin/tazobactam was most frequently mentioned by MD and PharmDs (7 and 9, respectively). 4 of 5 MDs and 5 of 7 PharmDs who chose 3C for CAP indicated that 3C were preferred over all other choices for CAP, few stewards indicated that 3C were the sole preferred agents for other conditions. CONCLUSION: Antimicrobial stewardship MD and PharmD champions were readily able to find FQ substitutions for all indications; 3C and 4C substitutions were found for all indications with a notable exception of treatment of CAP. These results suggest considerable opportunity to reduce use of these antibiotic classes. Future studies should examine the appropriateness and acceptability of the substitutions identified by stewardship champions to providers and the impact of restriction of FQ, 3C and 4C on clinical outcomes. [Image: see text] DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.