Medical Director, Antimicrobial Stewardship Program
Recognition & Awards
NICU Provider of the Week, Children's Hospital Colorado
(2018)
Top Doctor, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Colorado, Colorado Parent Magazine
(2017)
5280 Top Doctor, 5280 Magazine
(2017)
Awarded 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017
Excellence in Quality and Patient Safety Award, Children's Hospital Colorado
(2015)
This award honors a multidisciplinary team in the hospital who has made an outstanding contribution to organizational performance improvement, patient safety, and clinical outcomes.
Provider of the Month, Children's Hospital Colorado
(2015)
Nomination was based on outstanding work in developing and implementing the antimicrobial stewardship program as well as your work to optimize the care guideline for musculoskeletal infections. The nomination recognized your diligence, attention to detail, and inclusiveness of all key stakeholders in promoting quality and excellence in all that you do.
Research Interests
Sarah Parker, MD is a Pediatric Infectious Diseases physician and Medical Director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. Her research interests are judicious use of antimicrobials in pediatric patients, antimicrobial dosing in pediatrics, quality improvement, and orthopedic infections.
Teaching
Please see CV
(2001)
School of Medicine,
Pediatrics
Publications
Searns JB. Delaying antimicrobials for pediatric bone and joint infections: Balancing clinical risks with diagnostic benefits. Front Pediatr. 2022;10:975221. PubMed PMID: 36389360
Nguyen-Tran H, MacBrayne CE, Parker SK, Poole NM. Ambulatory cephalosporin prescribing practices at a freestanding children's hospital network. Antimicrob Steward Healthc Epidemiol. 2022;2(1):e175. PubMed PMID: 36386006
Prinzi AM, Wattier RL, Curtis DJ, Ziniel SI, Fitzgerald A, Pearce K, Parker SK. Impact of Organism Reporting from Endotracheal Aspirate Cultures on Antimicrobial Prescribing Practices in Mechanically Ventilated Pediatric Patients. J Clin Microbiol. 2022 Nov 16;60(11):e0093022. PubMed PMID: 36218349
Haynes AS, Prinzi A, Silveira LJ, Parker SK, Lampe JN, Kavanaugh JS, Horswill AR, Fish D. Cefadroxil Comparable to Cephalexin: Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations among Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Pediatric Musculoskeletal Infections. Microbiol Spectr. 2022 Aug 31;10(4):e0103922. PubMed PMID: 35730963
MacBrayne CE, DeVine MN, Pearce K, Donaldson N, Parker SK, Searns JB. Identifying predictors for source culture positivity in children with acute musculoskeletal infections. Diagnosis (Berl). 2022 Aug 1;9(3):359-363. PubMed PMID: 35619048
Frost HM, Sebastian T, Keith A, Kurtz M, Dominguez SR, Parker SK, Jenkins TC. COVID-19 and Acute Otitis Media in Children: A Case Series. J Prim Care Community Health. 2022 Jan-Dec;13:21501319221082351. PubMed PMID: 35289210
Zembles TN, Nakra N, Parker SK. Extending the Reach of Antimicrobial Stewardship to Pediatric Patients. Infect Dis Ther. 2022 Feb;11(1):101-110. PubMed PMID: 35072918
Salas A, Williams MC, Van Etten E, Lewis L, MacBrayne CE, Parker SK. Prolonged Perioperative Antibiotics: A Hidden Problem. Hosp Pediatr. 2022 Feb 1;12(2):125-132. PubMed PMID: 35039819
Searns JB, DeVine MN, MacBrayne CE, Williams MC, Pearce K, Donaldson N, Parker SK. Characteristics of Children With Culture Negative Acute Hematogenous Musculoskeletal Infections. J Pediatr Orthop. 2022 Feb 1;42(2):e206-e211. PubMed PMID: 34923507
Searns JB, Parker SK, Ambroggio LV, O'Leary ST. Identifying the Causative Pathogen in Pediatric Musculoskeletal Infections: Moving the Debate Forward. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2022 Mar 24;11(3):85-89. PubMed PMID: 34894261
DeVine MN, MacBrayne CE, Child J, Blackmer AB. Pharmacological Management of Pediatric Clostridioides difficile Infection: Clarifying the Controversies. J Pediatr Health Care. 2022 Mar-Apr;36(2):181-192. PubMed PMID: 34412953
DeVine MN, Maxwell S, Haynes AS, MacBrayne CE, Boguniewicz J. Management of an Immunocompromised Pediatric Patient With Multiple Hospitalizations for Symptomatic COVID-19. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2022 Jan 1;44(1):e293-e295. PubMed PMID: 33235142
Prinzi A, Parker SK, Thurm C, Birkholz M, Sick-Samuels A. Association of Endotracheal Aspirate Culture Variability and Antibiotic Use in Mechanically Ventilated Pediatric Patients. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Dec 1;4(12):e2140378. PubMed PMID: 34935920
Searns JB, DeVine MN, MacBrayne CE, Williams MC, Pearce K, Donaldson N, Parker SK. Characteristics of Children With Culture Negative Acute Hematogenous Musculoskeletal Infections. J Pediatr Orthop. 2021 Dec 20. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 34923507
Searns JB, Parker SK, Ambroggio LV, O'Leary ST. Identifying the Causative Pathogen in Pediatric Musculoskeletal Infections: Moving the Debate Forward. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2021 Dec 11. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 34894261
MacBrayne CE, Williams MC, Prinzi A, Pearce K, Lamb D, Parker SK. Time to Blood Culture Positivity by Pathogen and Primary Service. Hosp Pediatr. 2021 Sep;11(9):953-961. PubMed PMID: 34407980
Ackley ER, Tchou MJ, Press CA, Parker SK, Dominguez SR, Gaensbauer J, Messacar K. AKI In Suspected Meningitis/Encephalitis May Be "Avoidable Kidney Injury". Hosp Pediatr. 2021 Aug;11(8):e167-e169. PubMed PMID: 34244336
Haynes AS, MacBrayne CE, Parker SK. Impact of Antimicrobial Stewardship Bundle on Inpatient Use of Highly Bioavailable Antibacterials. Hosp Pediatr. 2021 May;11(5):509-514. PubMed PMID: 33926913
Wattier RL, Thurm CW, Parker SK, Banerjee R, Hersh AL. Indirect Standardization as a Case Mix Adjustment Method to Improve Comparison of Children's Hospitals' Antimicrobial Use. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Sep 7;73(5):925-932. PubMed PMID: 33320178
Prinzi AM, Parker SK, Curtis DJ, Ziniel SI. The Pediatric Endotracheal Aspirate Culture Survey (PETACS): Examining Practice Variation across Pediatric Microbiology Laboratories in the United States. J Clin Microbiol. 2021 Feb 18;59(3). PubMed PMID: 33298605
Zembles TN, MacBrayne CE, Mitchell ML, Parker SK. Lessons Learned from Virtual Handshake Stewardship During a Pandemic. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2021 Mar;47(3):198-200. PubMed PMID: 33221257
Searns JB, Williams MC, MacBrayne CE, Wirtz AL, Leonard JE, Boguniewicz J, Parker SK, Grubenhoff JA. Handshake antimicrobial stewardship as a model to recognize and prevent diagnostic errors. Diagnosis (Berl). 2021 Aug 26;8(3):347-352. PubMed PMID: 33112779
Prinzi A, Parker SK, Thurm C, Birkholz M, Sick-Samuels A. Association of Endotracheal Aspirate Culture Variability and Antibiotic Use in Mechanically Ventilated Pediatric Patients. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Dec 1;4(12):e2140378. PubMed PMID: 34935920
MacBrayne CE, Williams MC, Prinzi A, Pearce K, Lamb D, Parker SK. Time to Blood Culture Positivity by Pathogen and Primary Service. Hosp Pediatr. 2021 Sep;11(9):953-961. PubMed PMID: 34407980
Ackley ER, Tchou MJ, Press CA, Parker SK, Dominguez SR, Gaensbauer J, Messacar K. AKI In Suspected Meningitis/Encephalitis May Be "Avoidable Kidney Injury". Hosp Pediatr. 2021 Aug;11(8):e167-e169. PubMed PMID: 34244336
Haynes AS, MacBrayne CE, Parker SK. Impact of Antimicrobial Stewardship Bundle on Inpatient Use of Highly Bioavailable Antibacterials. Hosp Pediatr. 2021 May;11(5):509-514. PubMed PMID: 33926913
Wattier RL, Thurm CW, Parker SK, Banerjee R, Hersh AL. Indirect Standardization as a Case Mix Adjustment Method to Improve Comparison of Children's Hospitals' Antimicrobial Use. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Sep 7;73(5):925-932. PubMed PMID: 33320178
Prinzi AM, Parker SK, Curtis DJ, Ziniel SI. The Pediatric Endotracheal Aspirate Culture Survey (PETACS): Examining Practice Variation across Pediatric Microbiology Laboratories in the United States. J Clin Microbiol. 2021 Feb 18;59(3). PubMed PMID: 33298605
Zembles TN, MacBrayne CE, Mitchell ML, Parker SK. Lessons Learned from Virtual Handshake Stewardship During a Pandemic. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2021 Mar;47(3):198-200. PubMed PMID: 33221257
Searns JB, Williams MC, MacBrayne CE, Wirtz AL, Leonard JE, Boguniewicz J, Parker SK, Grubenhoff JA. Handshake antimicrobial stewardship as a model to recognize and prevent diagnostic errors. Diagnosis (Berl). 2021 Aug 26;8(3):347-352. PubMed PMID: 33112779
Wattier RL, Thurm CW, Parker SK, Banerjee R, Hersh AL. Indirect Standardization as a Case Mix Adjustment Method to Improve Comparison of Children's Hospitals' Antimicrobial Use. Clin Infect Dis. 2020 Dec 15. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33320178
Prinzi AM, Parker SK, Curtis DJ, Ziniel SI. The Pediatric Endotracheal Aspirate Culture Survey (PETACS): Examining Practice Variation Across Pediatric Microbiology Laboratories in the United States. J Clin Microbiol. 2020 Dec 9. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33298605
DeVine MN, Maxwell S, Haynes AS, MacBrayne CE, Boguniewicz J. Management of an Immunocompromised Pediatric Patient With Multiple Hospitalizations for Symptomatic COVID-19. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2020 Nov 23. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33235142
Zembles TN, MacBrayne CE, Mitchell ML, Parker SK. Lessons Learned from Virtual Handshake Stewardship During a Pandemic. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2020 Oct 24. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33221257
DeVine MN, MacBrayne CE, Williams MC, Pearce K, Wickstrom K, Donaldson N, Parker SK, Searns JB. Long-Term Impact of a Clinical Care Guideline for Pediatric Acute Musculoskeletal Infections: Are Improved Outcomes Sustainable?. Hosp Pediatr. 2020 Dec;10(12):1107-1113. PubMed PMID: 33154082
Searns JB, Williams MC, MacBrayne CE, Wirtz AL, Leonard JE, Boguniewicz J, Parker SK, Grubenhoff JA. Handshake antimicrobial stewardship as a model to recognize and prevent diagnostic errors. Diagnosis (Berl). 2020 Oct 28. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33112779
MacBrayne CE, Williams MC, Obermeier H, Child J, Heizer JW, Millard M, Pearce K, Dugan C, Parker SK. Anti-infective Waste in a Pediatric Institution: Pinpointing Problems in the Process. Hosp Pharm. 2020 Aug;55(4):220-223. PubMed PMID: 32742009
MacBrayne CE, Williams MC, Poole NM, Pearce K, Cotter JM, Parker SK. Inpatient Treatment of Acute Otitis Media at a Pediatric Hospital: A Missed Teaching Opportunity for Antimicrobial Stewardship. Hosp Pediatr. 2020 Jul;10(7):615-619. PubMed PMID: 32554625
Dodson DS, Dominguez SR, MacBrayne CE, Williams MC, Parker SK. Vancomycin-Nonsusceptible Enterococci Mediated by vanC at a Large Children's Hospital: Prevalence, Susceptibility, and Impact on Care of Enterococcal Bacteremia. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2020 May;7(5):ofaa160. PubMed PMID: 32478121
MacBrayne CE, Williams MC, Levek C, Child J, Pearce K, Birkholz M, Todd JK, Hurst AL, Parker SK. Sustainability of Handshake Stewardship: Extending a Hand Is Effective Years Later. Clin Infect Dis. 2020 May 23;70(11):2325-2332. PubMed PMID: 31584641
Williams MC, Dominguez SR, Prinzi A, Lee K, Parker SK. Reliability of mecA in Predicting Phenotypic Susceptibilities of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus . Open Forum Infect Dis. 2020 Dec;7(12):ofaa553. PubMed PMID: 33409329
DeVine MN, MacBrayne CE, Williams MC, Pearce K, Wickstrom K, Donaldson N, Parker SK, Searns JB. Long-Term Impact of a Clinical Care Guideline for Pediatric Acute Musculoskeletal Infections: Are Improved Outcomes Sustainable?. Hosp Pediatr. 2020 Dec;10(12):1107-1113. PubMed PMID: 33154082
MacBrayne CE, Williams MC, Obermeier H, Child J, Heizer JW, Millard M, Pearce K, Dugan C, Parker SK. Anti-infective Waste in a Pediatric Institution: Pinpointing Problems in the Process. Hosp Pharm. 2020 Aug;55(4):220-223. PubMed PMID: 32742009
MacBrayne CE, Williams MC, Poole NM, Pearce K, Cotter JM, Parker SK. Inpatient Treatment of Acute Otitis Media at a Pediatric Hospital: A Missed Teaching Opportunity for Antimicrobial Stewardship. Hosp Pediatr. 2020 Jul;10(7):615-619. PubMed PMID: 32554625
Dodson DS, Dominguez SR, MacBrayne CE, Williams MC, Parker SK. Vancomycin-Nonsusceptible Enterococci Mediated by vanC at a Large Children's Hospital: Prevalence, Susceptibility, and Impact on Care of Enterococcal Bacteremia. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2020 May;7(5):ofaa160. PubMed PMID: 32478121
MacBrayne CE, Williams MC, Levek C, Child J, Pearce K, Birkholz M, Todd JK, Hurst AL, Parker SK. Sustainability of Handshake Stewardship: Extending a Hand Is Effective Years Later. Clin Infect Dis. 2020 May 23;70(11):2325-2332. PubMed PMID: 31584641
MacBrayne CE, Williams MC, Levek C, Child J, Pearce K, Birkholz M, Todd JK, Hurst AL, Parker SK. Sustainability of Handshake Stewardship: Extending a Hand Is Effective Years Later. Clin Infect Dis. 2019 Oct 4. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31584641
Searns JB, Gralla J, Parker SK, Dominguez SR. Potential Clinical Effects of a Novel Rapid Diagnostic Panel for Pediatric Musculoskeletal Infections. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2019 Jun 13. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31194251
Searns JB, Robinson CC, Wei Q, Yuan J, Hamilton S, Pretty K, Donaldson N, Parker SK, Dominguez SR. Validation of a novel molecular diagnostic panel for pediatric musculoskeletal infections: Integration of the Cepheid Xpert MRSA/SA SSTI and laboratory-developed real-time PCR assays for clindamycin resistance genes and Kingella kingae detection. J Microbiol Methods. 2019 Jan;156:60-67. PubMed PMID: 30527965
Child J, Chen X, Mistry RD, Somme S, MacBrayne C, Anderson PL, Jones RN, Parker SK. Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Properties of Metronidazole in Pediatric Patients With Acute Appendicitis: A Prospective Study. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2019 Sep 25;8(4):297-302. PubMed PMID: 29788329
Hurst AL, Child J, Parker SK. Intervention and Acceptance Rates Support Handshake-Stewardship Strategy. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2019 May 11;8(2):162-165. PubMed PMID: 29912364
Spaulding AB, Thurm C, Courter JD, Banerjee R, Gerber JS, Newland JG, Parker SK, Brogan TV, Kronman MP, Shah SS, Smith MJ, Patel SJ, Lee BR, Hersh AL. Epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus infections in patients admitted to freestanding pediatric hospitals, 2009-2016. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2018 Dec;39(12):1487-1490. PubMed PMID: 30370879
Hurst AL, Child J, Parker SK. Intervention and Acceptance Rates Support Handshake-Stewardship Strategy. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2018 Jun 15. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 29912364
Brogan TV, Thurm C, Hersh AL, Gerber JS, Smith MJ, Shah SS, Courter JD, Patel SJ, Parker SK, Kronman MP, Lee BR, Newland JG. Variability in Antibiotic Use Across PICUs. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2018 Jun;19(6):519-527. PubMed PMID: 29533352
Searns JB, Robinson CC, Wei Q, Yuan J, Hamilton S, Pretty K, Donaldson N, Parker SK, Dominguez SR. Validation of a novel molecular diagnostic panel for pediatric musculoskeletal infections: Integration of the cepheid Xpert MRSA/SA SSTI and laboratory-developed real-time PCR assays for clindamycin resistance genes and Kingella kingae detection. J Microbiol Methods. 2018 Dec 7. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30527965
Nomura Y, Garcia M, Child J, Hurst AL, Hyman D, Poppy A, Palmer C, Ranade D, Pyle L, Parker SK. Effect of provider-selected order indications on appropriateness of antimicrobial orders in a pediatric hospital. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2018 Feb 15;75(4):213-221. PubMed PMID: 29436467
Courter JD, Parker SK, Thurm C, Kronman MP, Weissman SJ, Shah SS, Hersh AL, Brogan TV, Patel SJ, Smith MJ, Lee BR, Newland JG, Gerber JS. Accuracy of Administrative Data for Antimicrobial Administration in Hospitalized Children. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2018 Aug 17;7(3):261-263. PubMed PMID: 28992185
Child J, Chen X, Mistry RD, Somme S, MacBrayne C, Anderson PL, Jones RN, Parker SK. Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Properties of Metronidazole in Pediatric Patients With Acute Appendicitis: A Prospective Study. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2018 May 16. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 29788329
Lewis-de Los Angeles WW, Thurm C, Hersh AL, Shah SS, Smith MJ, Gerber JS, Parker SK, Newland JG, Kronman MP, Lee BR, Brogan TV, Courter JD, Spaulding A, Patel SJ. Trends in Intravenous Antibiotic Duration for Urinary Tract Infections in Young Infants. Pediatrics. 2017 Dec;140(6). PubMed PMID: 29097611
Courter JD, Parker SK, Thurm C, Kronman MP, Weissman SJ, Shah SS, Hersh AL, Brogan TV, Patel SJ, Smith MJ, Lee BR, Newland JG, Gerber JS. Accuracy of Administrative Data for Antimicrobial Administration in Hospitalized Children. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2017 Aug 18. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 28992185
Parker SK, Hurst AL, Thurm C, Millard M, Jenkins TC, Child J, Dugan C. Anti-infective Acquisition Costs for a Stewardship Program: Getting to the Bottom Line. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Oct 30;65(10):1632-1637. PubMed PMID: 29020143
Messinger AI, Kupfer O, Hurst A, Parker S. Management of Pediatric Community-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia. Pediatr Rev. 2017 Sep;38(9):394-409. PubMed PMID: 28864731
Spruiell MD, Searns JB, Heare TC, Roberts JL, Wylie E, Pyle L, Donaldson N, Stewart JR, Heizer H, Reese J, Scott HF, Pearce K, Anderson CJ, Erickson M, Parker SK. Clinical Care Guideline for Improving Pediatric Acute Musculoskeletal Infection Outcomes. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2017 Sep 1;6(3):e86-e93. PubMed PMID: 28419275
Messacar K, Parker SK, Todd JK, Dominguez SR. Reply to "Integrated Stewardship Model Comprising Antimicrobial, Infection Prevention, and Diagnostic Stewardship (AID Stewardship)". J Clin Microbiol. 2017 Nov;55(11):3308. PubMed PMID: 29066568
Dantes R, Epson EE, Dominguez SR, Dolan S, Wang F, Hurst A, Parker SK, Johnston H, West K, Anderson L, Rasheed JK, Moulton-Meissner H, Noble-Wang J, Limbago B, Dowell E, Hilden JM, Guh A, Pollack LA, Gould CV. Investigation of a cluster of Clostridium difficile infections in a pediatric oncology setting. Am J Infect Control. 2016 Feb 1;44(2):138-45. PubMed PMID: 26601705
Messacar K, Hawkins SM, Baker J, Pearce K, Tong S, Dominguez SR, Parker S. Resource Burden During the 2014 Enterovirus D68 Respiratory Disease Outbreak at Children's Hospital Colorado: An Unexpected Strain. JAMA Pediatr. 2016 Jan 19;:1-3. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 26783716
Messacar K, Hurst AL, Child J, Campbell K, Palmer C, Hamilton S, Dowell E, Robinson CC, Parker SK, Dominguez SR. Clinical Impact and Provider Acceptability of Real-Time Antimicrobial Stewardship Decision Support for Rapid Diagnostics in Children With Positive Blood Culture Results. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2016 Aug 19. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 27543412
Acker SN, Hurst AL, Bensard DD, Schubert A, Dewberry L, Gonzales D, Parker SK, Tong S, Partrick DA. Pediatric appendicitis and need for antibiotics at time of discharge: Does route of administration matter?. J Pediatr Surg. 2016 Jul;51(7):1170-3. PubMed PMID: 27041226
Stevens VW, Thurm C, Schwab EM, Kronman MP, Gerber JS, Shah SS, Newland JG, Courter J, Parker S, Brogan TV, Hersh AL. Use of Concomitant Antibiotics During Treatment for Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) in Pediatric Inpatients: An Observational Cohort Study. Infect Dis Ther. 2016 Mar;5(1):45-51. PubMed PMID: 26972929
Murphy JL, Fenn N, Pyle L, Heizer H, Hughes S, Nomura Y, Child J, Parker SK. Adverse Events in Pediatric Patients Receiving Long-term Oral and Intravenous Antibiotics. Hosp Pediatr. 2016 Jun;6(6):330-8. PubMed PMID: 27220835
Clinical Interests
Sarah Parker, MD is a Pediatric Infectious Diseases physician and Medical Director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. Her research interests are judicious use of antimicrobials in pediatric patients, antimicrobial dosing in pediatrics, quality improvement, and orthopedic infections.
Care Philosophy
I particularly love taking care of children, and strive to help the family and child understand the condition to be treated and how it will be treated.
Personal Interests
Time with family, fishing, skiing, travel, cooking, Spanish literature
Volunteer Activities
School science classes, guest speaker on various topics
General Information
Medical Schools:
MD, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
(1995)
Undergraduate Schools:
BA, University of Colorado - Boulder (CO)
(1990)
Internships:
University of Colorado (University Hospital) Program
(1996)
Residency Programs:
University of Colorado (University Hospital) Program, Pediatrics (1998)
Fellowships:
University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Program, Pediatric Infectious Diseases
(2001)