Comparative clinical study of cefonicid, chloramphenicol, and penicillin in community-acquired pneumonia

Community-acquired pneumonia is one of the most common infectious conditions that require hospitalization. When intravenous treatment is indicated, cefonicid is usually the drug of choice. The aim of this study was to find out if chloramphenicol, which is superior to the standard drugs from a financial point of view, could serve as an equally efficient treatment, especially in the elderly. The outcomes of 3 pneumonia patient groups who were either treated with cefonicid, chloramphenicol or penicillin-G (n = 59, 17, 24, respectively) were retrospectively compared. Data about demographic characteristics of the patients, clinical outcomes, rehospitalization rates, duration of improvement/treatment/ hospitalization and clinical laboratory tests were obtained from each patient's medical records. Only minor differences (even though occasionally significant) were found with respect to rehospitalization and improvement rates, duration of hospitalization, treatment and improvement, death rates and clinical laboratory tests. However, chloramphenicol patients were found to be significantly older than cefonicid patients. Moreover, no bone-marrow suppression was associated with chloramphenicol treatment. All 3 drugs tested seem to have the same efficacy. We conclude that since chloramphenicol is as safe as, and much cheaper than cefonicid, this antibiotic agent is not inferior to the others, its usage in older patients with pneumonia should be considered.

Cefonicid 'restores' the depressed activities of polymorphonuclear cells from chronic haemodialysis patients and renal transplant recipients in vitro

BACKGROUND

Chronic haemodialysis patients and renal transplant recipients are highly susceptible to infection characterized by high morbidity and mortality and related to an impairment of the phagocytic response.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In order to elucidate how cefonicid, a cephalosporin with a broad spectrum of activity and once-daily dosage, influences this phagocytic response, the effects of the drug upon the functions of human PMNs from both healthy individuals and immunocompromised patients were investigated.

RESULTS

In vitro, PMNs from haemodialysed patients and renal transplant recipients showed a diminished phagocytic efficiency with reduced phagocytosis and bactericidal activity towards intracellular Klebsiella pneumoniae when compared with that seen in PMNs from healthy subjects. Cefonicid significantly affected the activity of PMNs from healthy volunteers, resulting in either an increased percentage of ingested klebsiellae or a reduced intracellular bacterial load when compared with the control, drug-free system. When cefonicid was added to PMNs from uraemic patients a pattern similar to that observed with phagocytes from healthy subjects was detected: the antibiotic was able to 'restore' the depressed primary functions of PMNs, resulting in a significant increase in both phagocytosis and killing activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Cefonicid, with its several immunoproperties observed in this study, possesses interesting beneficial properties which make it suitable for the treatment of infections in patients with impaired components of the immune system.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in umbilical and incisional hernia repair: a prospective randomised study

OBJECTIVE

To find out if preoperative prophylaxis would reduce infection rates after umbilical and incisional hernia repair.

DESIGN

Randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

Teaching hospital, Israel.

SUBJECTS

35 Patients who presented with umbilical (n = 19) or incisional (n = 16) hernias during a period of 8 months.

INTERVENTIONS

Cefonicid 1 g was given by intravenous infusion to alternate patients 30 minutes before the operation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Wound infection.

RESULTS

The groups were comparable for age, body mass index, grade of surgeon, operating time, and size of hernial ring. The wound infection rates were 0/8 compared with 4/8 for incisional hernia repairs (p = 0.08) and 1/9 compared with 4/10 for umbilical hernia repairs (p = 0.3). The overall rate was 1/17 compared with 8/18 (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Single dose antibiotic puphylaxis seems to exert a beneficial effect on the wound infection rate after umbilical and incisional hernia repair.

Short-term versus long-term antimicrobial prophylaxis in oncologic head and neck surgery

BACKGROUND

Although antimicrobial prophylaxis is mandatory in major clean-contaminated oncologic surgery of the head and neck, both the choice of specific antimicrobial compounds and the treatment duration are still discussed.

METHODS

A prospective, randomized trial was carried out to compare efficacy and tolerability of clindamycin-cefonicid administered for 1 day versus 3 days in reducing the rate of wound and systemic infections. The following potential risk factors for surgical wound infection were evaluated: type of surgery, stage of disease, preoperative tracheostomy, preoperative radiotherapy, and diabetes mellitus.

RESULTS

One-hundred sixty-two patients were evaluable; 81 received 1-day chemoprophylaxis, while the remaining 81 were treated according to the 3-day schedule. During the first 20 days after surgery, wound infections occurred in 2 (2.5%) and 3(3.7%) patients, respectively, in the 1-day and 3-day treatment groups, so that no significant difference was found among the two evaluated chemoprophylaxis schedules.

CONCLUSION

A 3-day schedule did not prove useful in preventing wound and systemic infections. All presumed risk factors were not associated with an increased rate of wound infections, although preoperative radiotherapy was associated with a greater severity of infections and a higher risk of late wound complications.

[Conservative treatment of post-traumatic hepatic hematoma. Case reports]

Post-traumatic hepatic haematomas may need surgical or conservative treatment. TC allows exact stadiation of hepatic lesions, detecting those mandatory for surgical approach. Haemodinamic unsteadiness and/or necessity of > 40 ml/kg blood transfusion suggest serious uncontrollable bleeding, that is surgical emergency. Three cases of post-traumatic heapatic haematomas recovered after conservative treatment (clinical, haematological and radiological survey) are described.

Clindamycin/cefonicid in head and neck oncologic surgery: one-day prophylaxis is as effective as a three-day schedule

The aim of our study was to evaluate the optimal duration of antibiotic prophylaxis in major oncologic surgery of the head and neck using a novel broad spectrum drug combination: clindamycin and cefonicid. A prospective randomized study was carried out on 126 evaluable patients undergoing clean-contaminated (skin to mucosa) surgery for cancer of larynx, pharynx or oral cavity. Cases at high surgical risk (because of need of pedicled or microvascular free flaps reconstruction), were excluded from the study. Within 20 days after surgery, only one case of wound infection was recorded among the 62 patients treated with the one-day schedule, versus three cases registered among the 64 subjects receiving three-day chemoprophylaxis. Episodes of systemic infections and eventual wound complications occurring in the first 20 days after surgery have also been recorded. The role of potential risk factors for postoperative complications has been evaluated. According to our findings, a three-day antibiotic regimen is not more effective than a short-term (one-day) schedule in preventing wound or systemic infection in clean-contaminated head and neck cancer surgery without flap reconstruction.

A double-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial to compare cefazolin and cefonicid for antimicrobial prophylaxis in clean orthopedic surgery

A double-blind, prospective randomized study was performed to compare cefazolin and cefonicid given for prophylaxis to 102 patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. Risk factors (e.g., age, sex, type of operation performed) among the two groups were similar. All patients had foreign material (prosthesis or other hardware) inserted at operation. There was a total of 6 infections (3 wound and 3 urinary tract) in 6 patients among the 48 receiving cefazolin (12.5%), whereas no infections were observed among the 54 patients who received cefonicid. Cefonicid, given once daily, provides protection against postoperative infection that is not inferior to cefazolin. A larger study is needed to confirm whether cefonicid is indeed superior to cefazolin.

Preventive antibiotic usage in traumatic thoracic injuries requiring closed tube thoracostomy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of antibiotics in reducing the infectious complications following closed tube thoracostomy for isolated chest trauma.

DESIGN

Double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

SETTING

Medical school affiliated large urban teaching hospital and trauma center.

PATIENTS

One hundred nineteen of 159 patients over 18 years old presenting to the emergency department requiring closed tube thoracostomy for isolated chest injuries (113 penetrating, 6 blunt).

INTERVENTION

Patients received either placebo or 1 g cefonicid daily intravenously started at chest tube insertion and stopped within 24 h of removal.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

The development of wound infections, pneumonia (CDC criteria), or empyema; the incidence of adverse events; length of hospitalization. One nonspecific infection was seen in the cefonicid group (1.6 percent) and six respiratory tract infections (10.7 percent) in the placebo group (three empyema, one empyema with pneumonia, two pneumonia) (p = 0.0505; p = 0.0094 [excluding nonspecific infection]). No significant differences with antibiotic use were seen in the duration of chest tube use (p = 0.766), peak WBC counts (p = 0.108), lower peak temperatures (p = 0.063), or length of hospitalization (p = 0.165). Patients who developed infectious complications averaged approximately 8 days longer hospitalization than those without (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that patients receiving antibiotics had a significantly reduced rate of infection than did patients administered placebo. No significant adverse events were seen in either group.

Comparison of cefonicid and cefazolin prophylaxis in abdominal hysterectomy

One hundred and sixty-four patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy for benign diseases were prospectively evaluated. The efficacy and safety of surgical prophylaxis with a single dose of the long-acting cefonicid was compared to the standard three dose regimen of cefazolin. Prophylaxis was successful in 82 of 85 (96.5%) patients receiving cefonicid and in 77 of 79 (97.5%) patients receiving cefazolin. No serious adverse effects were encountered with both drugs. It is concluded that single dose intravenous cefonicid, when given preoperatively, is as safe and effective as the standard multiple dose regimen of cefazolin in patients undergoing elective abdominal hysterectomy.

Antibiotic for cesarean section: the case for 'true' prophylaxis

OBJECTIVES

To assess prospectively the efficiency and safety of two extended spectrum cephalosporins used as pre-operative prophylaxis in nonelective cesarean sections, and compare the results to those of a third group of patients that received cefamezine post cord clamping.

METHODS

Two hundred and forty one patients undergoing a nonscheduled cesarean section were assigned to receive either cefonicid or ceftriaxone prior to skin incision. These patients were followed prospectively for infectious and fetal complications. The outcome of these patients was also compared with another group of 194 patients that received cefamezine prophylaxis post cord clamping, and whose data were collected retrospectively. Chi-square analysis of variance were performed with P < 0.05 considered significant.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the febrile complications among the two groups of patients that received pre-operative prophylaxis. However, these patients had significantly less wound infections (P = 0.008) and a significantly shorter hospital stay (P < 0.001) than the patients who received their prophylactic antibiotics post cord clamping.

CONCLUSIONS

Extended-spectrum cephalosporins, when given pre-operatively, are both effective and safe, and may have an advantage over intra-operative first generation cephalosporins in the reduction of post cesarean section infectious morbidity.

Randomized trial comparing ceftriaxone with cefonicid for treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients

We compared cefonicid (2 g every 12 h) and ceftriaxone (2 g every 24 h) for their efficacy and safety in treating spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients in an open randomized clinical trial (30 patients in each group). Clinical, laboratory, and bacteriologic characteristics were similar in both groups. Ceftriaxone-susceptible strains were isolated on 44 occasions (94%), and cefonicid-susceptible strains were isolated on 43 occasions (91.5%). The antibiotic concentration in ascitic fluid/MIC ratio for ceftriaxone was > 100 throughout the dose interval (24 h), while it was lower for cefonicid (between 1 and 18). A total of 100% of patients treated with ceftriaxone, and 94% of those treated with cefonicid were cured of their infections (P was not significant). Hospitalization mortality was 37% in the cefonicid group and 30% in the ceftriaxone group (P was not significant). The time that elapsed between the initiation of treatment and the patient's death was shorter in the cefonicid group patients (5.3 +/- 3.90 days) than in the ceftriaxone group patients (11.8 +/- 9.15 days) (P < 0.05). None of the patients presented with superinfections, and only two patients treated with cefonicid and three patients treated with ceftriaxone developed colonizations with Enterococcus faecalis or Candida albicans. Ceftriaxone and cefonicid are safe and useful agents for treating cirrhotic spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, although the pharmacokinetic characteristics of ceftriaxone seem to be more advantageous than those of cefonicid.

Comparison of single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis in uncomplicated transurethral resection of the prostate

We evaluated the necessity for antibiotic prophylaxis in uncomplicated transurethral resection of the prostate. A total of 107 patients was entered into a double-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Only 7 patients were excluded because they had positive preoperative urine cultures. All patients received a single dose of either 1 gm. cefonicid or saline placebo intramuscularly before surgery. No further antibiotics were administered. Urine cultures were obtained intraoperatively, daily while hospitalized, and at 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively. A growth of 10(4) organisms constituted a positive urine culture. Postoperative infection rates were statistically significant with 12% (6 of 51) in the cefonicid group and 37% (18 of 49) in the placebo group (p = 0.003). During the initial 2 days postoperatively there were no infections in the cefonicid treated patients as opposed to 8 in the placebo group (p = 0.003). Our study demonstrated the need for antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infection after uncomplicated transurethral resection of the prostate. This can be accomplished by using a single dose, broad-spectrum cephalosporin (cefonicid). This procedure simplifies the implementation and decreases the cost of prophylaxis for transurethral resection of the prostate.

[Prophylactic antibiotic therapy in extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy: prospective, randomized study]

Two hundred patients that underwent ESWL were randomized into 4 groups in order to determine the benefits of antibiotic prophylaxis. All comparisons among groups were not statistically significant. Neither cephalosporin nor quinolone prophylaxis impacted significantly on bacteriuria rate after ESWL. Thus, in patients without infected stones, urinary tract obstruction and ancillary procedures ESWL could be performed without prophylactic antibiotic regimes.

Prophylaxis against infection. Single-dose cefonicid compared with multiple-dose cefamandole

A total of 1489 patients were included in a prospective, randomized study that compared the efficacy of a single dose of cefonicid in 474 patients (Group I) with that of three doses of cefamandole in 510 patients (Group II) and five doses of cefamandole in 505 patients (Group III), for prophylaxis against infection after an operation on bone. The operations involved the insertion of a Moore prosthesis, an Ender and Küntscher nail, a bone-plate, or another device for internal fixation. Patients who had an open fracture or a total joint replacement were not included in the study. The three groups were similar with regard to mean age, sex ratio, duration of preoperative hospitalization, underlying risk factors, and type of operation. The rates of wound infection were not significantly different in the three groups (p = 0.8) or when the rates were stratified according to the type of operation (p greater than 0.3). Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative bacilli were the most common infecting microorganisms. The rate of mortality related to infection was similar in all three groups (p = 0.2). No adverse side-effects of drugs were encountered. A single preoperative dose of cefonicid, three doses of cefamandole, and five doses of cefamandole were equally effective prophylaxis against infection of the wound in these patients.

Cefonicid versus clindamycin prophylaxis for head and neck surgery in a randomized, double-blind trial, with pharmacokinetic implications

Perioperative single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis of cefonicid was compared with clindamycin in a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial of patients undergoing oncologic head and neck surgery. Antibiotics were administered intravenously beginning 1 to 2 h preoperatively. Cefonicid, 1 g, was given as a single dose. Clindamycin, 600 mg, was administered every 8 h for a total of four doses. Blood and wound drainage samples were collected for 24 h following the dose of cefonicid and assayed for total and free cefonicid concentrations, using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Although total concentrations of cefonicid in both serum and wound drainage exceeded the MIC for 90% of the isolates of common bacterial pathogens for 24 h, free concentrations in serum and wound drainage (11.0 and 14.9% of total concentrations) were subinhibitory within 6 h following administration. Free concentrations of cefonicid in the postoperative wound drainage were subinhibitory for the entire study period, both perioperatively and postoperatively. Postoperative wound infection occurred significantly (P less than 0.05) more frequently in patients receiving cefonicid (24%) as compared with those receiving clindamycin (8.2%). The relatively low free levels of cefonicid achieved in serum and wound drainage were attributed to the high degree of protein binding (89% in serum) and may be related to the poor clinical outcome.

Fibrin glue-antibiotic suspension in the prevention of prosthetic graft infection

The following study was done to assess whether fibrin glue-antibiotic suspension (FGAS) can prevent infection of a PTFE vascular graft in a contaminated wound.

METHODS

FGAS was made by combining cryoprecipitate with a mixture of bovine thrombin, aminocaproic acid, and tobramycin (5 mg/cc thrombus). Antibiotic activity was documented by in vitro kinetics which revealed initial elutions to be greater than 8,000 mu gm/cc and elutions at 4 days to be greater than 2 mcg/cc. Twelve dogs had a 1-cm section of infrarenal aorta replaced with a PTFE graft that had been bathed in a 2-cc solution of E. coli 3 x 10(8) CFU/ml and S. aureus 3 x 10(8) CFU/ml. Both organisms were sensitive to tobramycin and cefonicid. Dogs were divided into three groups of four. Group I had a contaminated PTFE graft placed and no further therapy. Group II had a contaminated PTFE graft placed and sealed with fibrin glue. Group III had a contaminated PTFE graft placed and sealed with FGAS. All three groups received daily IV cefonicid.

RESULTS

Group I: Four of four dogs were reoperated on the fourth day for suspected sepsis and all four had pseudoaneurysms (one ruptured). Three of four were culture positive for S. aureus and two of four positive for E. coli. Group II: Four of four died of anastomotic disruption by the third day. Four of four were culture positive for S. aureus and E. coli. Group III: All four dogs survived and were sacrificed on Day 17: all anastomoses were normal. Animal survival was significantly associated with the treatment given (p = 0.0025). Three of four tissue cultures of the grafts were weakly positive for S. aureus and one of four for E. coli and Pseudomonas. Serum tobramycin levels were negligible at 12, 24, 72, and 96 hours.

CONCLUSIONS

The data show that FGAS was associated with a reduction in vascular graft infection and pseudoaneurysm formation after exposure to a standardized bacterial inoculum. Whether complete eradication of all organisms can be achieved with higher doses of tobramycin is as yet undetermined.

Postoperative mediastinitis: a comparison of two electrocautery techniques on presternal soft tissues

Postoperative mediastinitis remains a serious surgical problem, complicating 0.4% to 5% of all cases. In an experiment designed to address this problem, 36 mongrel dogs underwent a median sternotomy incision. In group I (n = 18) all layers to the sternum were opened by a scalpel, and electrocautery was used only for pinpoint hemostasis. In group II (n = 18) the skin was opened by a scalpel and the remaining layers to the sternum were opened by electrocautery. Total kilojoules of electrical energy delivered to the tissues was 9.4 +/- 5.7 for group I and 44.1 +/- 7.0 for group II (p less than 0.001). Each group was randomly divided into three subgroups (n = 6): Ia and IIa were noninoculated controls; Ib and IIb were inoculated just before skin closure; Ic and IIc were inoculated and given one preoperative dose of cefonicid. The inoculum contained Staphylococcus intermedius in a 0.5 ml suspension of 10(8) organisms. Each animal was observed and the wounds were scored daily until death or until all survivors were put to death on the eighth postoperative day. Pleural fluid was cultured at autopsy. Ten dogs died of mediastinitis (four in IIa and six in IIb), but none from group I (p less than 0.01). Positive cultures from pleural fluid in matching subgroups (n = 6) occurred as follows: one in Ia and five in IIa (p less than 0.05); one in Ib and six in IIb (p less than 0.01); zero in Ic and two in IIc. We conclude that pinpoint hemostasis on the soft tissues of the sternotomy incision significantly reduces the severity and frequency of penetrating mediastinitis.

Randomized, double-blind trial of cefonicid and nafcillin in the treatment of skin and skin structure infections

We compared treatment with one daily intravenous dose of cefonicid and multidose nafcillin in 65 patients with severe infections of the skin or skin structure. Clinical cure or improvement was achieved in 91% of the patients given cefonicid and in 87% of the patients given nafcillin (P = 0.97). The use of cefonicid may allow outpatient therapy of some severe infections.

Single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis in patients at high risk for infection in biliary surgery: a prospective and randomized study comparing cefonicid with mezlocillin

The usefulness of antibiotic prophylaxis in biliary surgery is well established. When antibiotic prophylaxis is not used, wound infection rates after biliary surgery range from 10% to 25%. With antibiotic prophylaxis, the rates can be reduced to less than 5%. Three questions are still controversial: Do all patients undergoing biliary surgery require antibiotic prophylaxis? What is the ideal antibiotic for use in biliary surgery? What should be the duration of antibiotic prophylaxis? In this study we prospectively evaluated the efficacy of a single dose of antibiotic prophylaxis in biliary surgery, administered to patients at high risk for infection, in a trial comparing cefonicid (a cephalosporin with a long half-life) with mezlocillin (a broad-spectrum ureidopenicillin).

Management of low velocity gunshot-induced fractures

Bullets fired from civilian weapons are usually of low velocity, resulting in minimal tissue cavitation as compared to high-velocity weapons. A prospective protocol was initiated for patients sustaining a low-velocity gunshot to the extremity resulting in a stable, nonoperative fracture configuration. Treatment consisted of local irrigation and débridement, tetanus prophylaxis as required, a long acting cephalosporin intramuscularly, and splinting or casting of the fractured extremity. Twenty-five patients were managed by this protocol. This patient population was compared to a random retrospective sample of 25 patients with similar ballistic induced fractures and wounds managed by local débridement and 48 h of intravenous antibiotics. One infection occurred in each group, requiring further therapy. We conclude that the patient with a low-velocity gunshot induced fracture can be managed without the use of short-term intravenous antibiotics with no increased risk of infection.

Cefamandole versus cefonicid prophylaxis in cardiovascular surgery: a prospective study

We randomized 400 patients who were scheduled for an elective cardiovascular operation involving median sternotomy to receive cefamandole nafate or cefonicid in a prospective double-blind study. Three hundred fifty-seven patients were evaluable for prophylactic efficacy. Chest wound and donor site infections and early prosthetic valve endocarditis occurred more frequently with cefonicid (11 patients, 6.3%) than with cefamandole (4 patients, 2.2%) (p = 0.05). Three patients, all in the cefonicid group, required sternal debridement to control postoperative deep wound infections. Twenty-five miscellaneous postoperative infections (urinary tract infection, pneumonia, intravenous site infection, bacteremia, sepsis, Clostridium difficile diarrhea) occurred in 16 patients (9.19%) in the cefonicid group and four in 4 patients (2.19%) in the cefamandole group (p = 0.003). These data indicate that cefamandole is superior to cefonicid in preventing both surgical wound infections and miscellaneous nonsurgical infections after cardiovascular operations.

Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis for herniorrhaphy and breast surgery

We assessed the efficacy of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis for surgery in a randomized, double-blind trial of 1218 patients undergoing herniorrhaphy or surgery involving the breast, including excision of a breast mass, mastectomy, reduction mammoplasty, and axillary-node dissection. The prophylactic regimen was a single dose of cefonicid (1 g intravenously) administered approximately half an hour before surgery. The patients were followed up for four to six weeks after surgery. Blinding was maintained until the last patient completed the follow-up and all diagnoses of infection had been made. The patients who received prophylaxis had 48 percent fewer probable or definite infections than those who did not (Mantel-Haenszel risk ratio, 0.52; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.32 to 0.84; P = 0.01). For patients undergoing a procedure involving the breast, infection occurred in 6.6 percent of the cefonicid recipients (20 of 303) and 12.2 percent of the placebo recipients (37 of 303); for those undergoing herniorrhaphy, infection occurred in 2.3 percent of the cefonicid recipients (7 of 301) and 4.2 percent of the placebo recipients (13 of 311). There were comparable reductions in the numbers of definite wound infections (Mantel-Haenszel risk ratio, 0.49), wounds that drained pus (risk ratio, 0.43), Staphylococcus aureus wound isolates (risk ratio, 0.49), and urinary tract infections (risk ratio, 0.40). There were also comparable reductions in the need for postoperative antibiotic therapy, non-routine visits to a physician for problems involving wound healing, incision and drainage procedures, and readmission because of problems with wound healing. We conclude that perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis with cefonicid is useful for herniorrhaphy and certain types of breast surgery.

Influencing prescribing behavior by adapting computerized order-entry pathways

A program is described in which informational text was inserted into a computerized drug order-entry pathway to alter prescribing patterns and contain costs. In April 1986 the pharmacy and therapeutics committee at a 700-bed teaching hospital recommended that cefonicid be used instead of cefuroxime to treat adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia in which infection with Haemophilus influenzae or gram-negative enteric rods was suspected; substantial cost savings were projected. A paragraph recommending cefonicid was inserted into the cefuroxime order-entry screen in November 1986. In February 1987 the screen was further modified to allow the physician to select the cefonicid alternative without returning to the drug index. A final change was made in November 1987 to allow the physician to select ampicillin or erythromycin directly from the cefuroxime screen as well. The cost and relative use of cefonicid and cefuroxime were examined in specific patients with pneumonia--those assigned to diagnosis-related group 89--for whom either drug was prescribed. From January 1986 to December 1987, the percentage of these patients who were prescribed cefuroxime decreased from 100% to 22%, while the percentage of patients receiving cefonicid increased from 0% to 78%. The average acquisition cost of the two antibiotics per patient decreased from $123 to $48. Although other variables may have affected prescribing patterns and this method of drug therapy intervention has some disadvantages, such as the need for physician cooperation, the concept warrants further attention. Adaptation of computerized order-entry pathways may increase the ability of pharmacy to influence prescribing behavior and control costs.

A trial using early preoperative administration of cefonicid for antimicrobial prophylaxis with hysterectomies

A single dose of cefonicid given 3.5-5.0 hours or 0.5-1.0 hour preoperatively was compared with cefoxitin given as five doses beginning 0.5-1.0 hour preoperatively for prophylaxis of infection in 202 patients undergoing vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy. The administration of cefonicid 3.5-5.0 hours preoperatively was intended to simulate situations where surgery may be delayed or prolonged. The trial was double-blind, and patients were randomized to one of the three regimens. Operative site infections were noted in 6.2 percent of patients (7/113) who received cefonicid 3.5-5.0 hours preoperatively, in 7.0 percent of patients (3/43) who received cefonicid 0.5-1.0 hour preoperatively, and in 4.3 percent of patients (2/46) who received cefoxitin (p greater than 0.05). Enterococci were isolated most frequently from operative-site infections. When administered 3.5-5.0 hours preoperatively, cefonicid was as effective as more traditional regimens.