Which of the following is NOT a consequence of overreporting penicillin allergy?

• A. Improved Patient Satisfaction
• B. Increased Healthcare Costs
• C. Longer Hospital Stays
• D. Antibiotic Resistance

Answer: (A)

The situation hinges on how labeling someone as penicillin-allergic changes antibiotic choices and downstream outcomes. When penicillin is avoided because of a reported allergy, clinicians often switch to non-penicillin antibiotics that are broader-spectrum, more costly, or less optimal for the infection. This shift tends to raise overall healthcare costs, can require longer IV therapy or hospital stays, and increases the risk of antibiotic resistance due to broader-spectrum use. Improved patient satisfaction, however, is not a consequence of overreporting; in fact, satisfaction may be reduced because the alternative regimens can be less effective and come with more side effects or longer treatment.