Self-reported treatment practices by healthcare providers could lead to death from Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Jillian Zientek; F Scott Dahlgren; Jennifer H McQuiston; Joanna Regan

doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2013.10.008

Self-reported treatment practices by healthcare providers could lead to death from Rocky Mountain spotted fever

J Pediatr. 2014 Feb;164(2):416-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2013.10.008. Epub 2013 Nov 16.

Authors

Jillian Zientek¹, F Scott Dahlgren², Jennifer H McQuiston², Joanna Regan³

Affiliations

¹ The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH.
² Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Division of Vector-borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
³ Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch, Division of Vector-borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Electronic address: [email protected].

Abstract

Among 2012 Docstyle survey respondents, 80% identified doxycycline as the appropriate treatment for Rocky Mountain spotted fever in patients ≥ 8 years old, but only 35% correctly chose doxycycline in patients <8 years old. These findings raise concerns about the higher pediatric case-fatality rate of Rocky Mountain spotted fever observed nationally. Targeted education efforts are needed.

Keywords: CME; Continuing medical education; HCP; Healthcare provider; RMSF; Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
Child
Doxycycline / adverse effects
Doxycycline / therapeutic use*
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Health Personnel / standards*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / drug therapy*
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / mortality
Self Report*
Survival Rate / trends
Tennessee / epidemiology

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Doxycycline

Grants and funding

CC999999/Intramural CDC HHS/United States