Korean J Intern Med.  2010 Jun;25(2):207-212. 10.3904/kjim.2010.25.2.207.

The Current Practice of Skin Testing for Antibiotics in Korean Hospitals

• Lee SH
• Park HW
• Kim SH
• Chang YS
• Kim SS
• Cho SH
• Min KU
• Kim YY

• KMID: 1785680
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2010.25.2.207

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Antibiotic skin testing is a useful procedure for identifying patients with IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to antibiotics. The procedures, however, have not been standardized, and the testing is performed with diverse protocols in Korean hospitals wards. Thus, we examined the current practice of antibiotic skin testing in Korea. METHODS: We sent questionnaires to 12 allergists working in secondary or tertiary referral hospitals and collected them by e-mail or fax. The questionnaire included items such as the types and concentrations of the tested antibiotics, the methods of antibiotic skin testing, and the interpretation of the results. RESULTS: All hospitals responded to the questionnaire. The antibiotic skin testing protocols were variable, inconsistent, and differed with regard to the type and concentrations of antibiotics, the volume injected, and the interpretation of the results. Moreover, the protocols differed from the commonly recommended procedures in the medical literature. CONCLUSIONS: Standardized guidelines for antibiotic skin testing are needed for the safe and effective use of antibiotics in Korea.

Keyword

Anti-bacterial agents; Drug hypersensitivity; Skin tests

MeSH Terms

Allergy and Immunology/*statistics & numerical data
Anti-Bacterial Agents/*adverse effects
Drug Hypersensitivity/*diagnosis
*Health Care Surveys
Humans
Medical Staff, Hospital/statistics & numerical data
Professional Practice/statistics & numerical data
Questionnaires
Republic of Korea
Skin Tests/*utilization