The innovative work of East Grampians Health Service has been recognised in a national journal with ‘Creating a Feasible, Safe and Sustainable Penicillin Oral Challenge Program in a Rural Health Service’ published in the Australian Journal of Rural Health.

Since late 2023, EGHS has run a penicillin oral challenge program that allows hospital patients with a low-risk penicillin allergy to safely have their allergy ‘checked’.

The process involves administering a single dose of a penicillin-based antibiotic in a controlled clinical environment and observing the patient for any signs of an allergic reaction. 

If no reaction occurs, penicillin antibiotics can be safely prescribed in the future. 

The article outlines how the program was safely adapted from models commonly used in larger hospitals. 

From allergy assessments being conducted by pre-admission nurses to co-ordination of the oral challenge by an infection control co-ordinator, the program effectively used the broad skills of the rural workforce.

EGHS development and improvement director Jaclyn Bishop said the adaptions were critical to ensuring equity in healthcare access.

“These changes were essential to ensure high-quality care is possible no matter your postcode,” Dr Bishop said.

Infection control co-ordinator Leeanne Atkinson, who was a pivotal member of the penicillin oral challenge program team at the health service, highlighted the significant impact of the program for patients.

“Seven people have now had their penicillin allergy tested and removed through the program,” she said.

“This is a huge outcome, as penicillin-based antibiotics are often the preferred treatment for many infections and generally have fewer side effects.”

Ms Atkinson said being involved in the program was professionally rewarding.

“I am proud to contribute to a program that ensures rural communities have access to the same innovative care models as those available in the city,” she said.

Sharing the details of the program is expected to help other rural health services across Australia and internationally to adopt similar models.

EGHS clinical governance co-ordinator Jane Miller said collaboration and knowledge-sharing were essential to improving rural healthcare.

“It’s incredibly important we share innovative work so others can learn from our experiences,” she said.

“EGHS is demonstrating leadership in developing and delivering innovative rural models of care.”

A summary of the publication is available on the Australian Journal of Rural Health website onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ajr.70162.

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