A label on the chart is a history, not a diagnosis. The questions that separate a true IgE-mediated allergy from an intolerance or a childhood rash take two minutes and change which antibiotic the patient gets for the rest of their life.
- Ask what the reaction was, when it happened and how long ago
- Ask whether it needed treatment or a hospital visit
- Ask whether the patient has taken the drug, or a related one, since without problems
- Record the answers next to the label, not just the drug name
Why it matters
A two-minute history is the first step in removing a label that narrows antibiotic choice for life.
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