A study published in PLOS ONE examined the cost-effectiveness of penicillin skin testing among inpatients undergoing treatment for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.
Researchers developed a decision analytic model comparing an acute care penicillin skin testing intervention to no confirmatory allergy testing scenarios. The study period was one year.
Researchers found if all MSSA bacteremia patients self-reporting a penicillin allergy received penicillin skin testing services, the cost per patient would be $12,559 and 0.73 quality-adjusted life years. Alternatively, not receiving penicillin skin testing services resulted in a cost per patient of $13,219 and 0.66 quality-adjusted life years.
Additionally, the study shows that penicillin skin testing resulted in a cost-effectiveness estimate of -$9,429 per quality-adjusted life year gained.
"Patients reporting a penicillin allergy on admission may receive sub-optimal alternative therapies to beta-lactams, such as vancomycin, for MSSA bacteremia," study authors wrote. "This economic analysis demonstrates that inpatient penicillin skin testing services confirming penicillin allergy are cost-effective for patients with MSSA bacteremia."