Frequency of Severe Infusion Reactions Associated With Outpatient Infusion of Infliximab Without Premedications

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2017 Oct;65(4):430-431. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000001535.

Abstract

In this report, we describe incremental changes, during a 2-year period at a single center with the administration of maintenance infliximab infusions. Given practice-driven changes consisting of 1-hour infusions and omission of premedications, we aimed to investigate if these changes contributed to severe infusion reactions. We reviewed approximately 900 infliximab infusions in a pediatric ambulatory infusion center from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2015, for severe adverse reactions requiring either rescue epinephrine or a code blue or "rapid response" activation. In 2015, these practice changes resulted in a 51% decrease in total infusion hours (1281 to 630 infusion hours), despite a 9% increase in total number of infusions. No increase in severe adverse events associated with either rapid 1-hour infusion or omission of premedications. Our findings highlight a quality-improvement opportunity to standardize infliximab infusions to streamline care in an ambulatory setting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care / methods*
  • Ambulatory Care / standards
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / diagnosis
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / epidemiology
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / etiology*
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / therapy
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Infliximab / administration & dosage*
  • Infliximab / adverse effects*
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Maintenance Chemotherapy
  • Male
  • Premedication
  • Quality Improvement
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • Infliximab