Benjamin BL Wong
University of Toronto, Canada
Title: Overview of clinical work and research done on beta-lactam allergy at a community academic teaching hospital in Toronto, Canada
Biography
Biography: Benjamin BL Wong
Abstract
Allergy and clinical immunology is an exciting and ever changing field, providing allergists and clinical immunologists increasing and unique opportunities to work with multiple medical subspecialties and interdisciplinary personnel. Beta-lactam allergy has been a major focus in the field of drug allergy in part due to its ubiquitous use, implications for health care resource utilization, and increased awareness of antimicrobial stewardship. This presentation highlights work done at a community academic teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto, Canada, over the past few years. Practical cases and management of penicillin allergy, opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations with medical subspecialists and pharmacists, development of a practical clinical pathway with decision algorithms, patient history refinement on electronic medical records, as well as point-of-care management guide for non-allergists will be discussed. Research opportunities including utilization of point of care beta-lactam allergy skin testing (BLAST) and the standardized use of state of the art electronic order sets for oral challenges and desensitization will also be highlighted.