Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · Nov 2010
Antibiotic use for acute upper respiratory tract infections in a veteran population.
To evaluate the effect of age, symptom duration, symptom presentation, presenting location, and type of acute upper respiratory tract infection (URI) on the receipt of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions in adult patients. ⋯ Despite evidence-based practice guidelines for the rational use of antibiotics in patients with upper respiratory tract infections, these conditions are being treated inappropriately. Patient and provider factors play a role in the receipt of antibiotics. Further efforts, including those by pharmacists, are needed to improve the use of antibiotics for acute URI in adult patients.
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · Sep 2010
ReviewRole of antihypertensive therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers in combination with calcium channel blockers for stroke prevention.
To review the available literature on the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) or combinations of these agents on stroke outcomes in hypertensive patients. ⋯ A growing body of clinical trial data suggest that aggressive combination antihypertensive therapy, including a RAAS blocker and CCB, may help reduce stroke incidence. Fixed-dose combination therapy is an important consideration in optimizing blood pressure control and patient adherence to therapy in stroke prevention.
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To provide pharmacists with a current, comprehensive review of medication adherence challenges and solutions. ⋯ Nonadherence to a medication regimen may have multiple underlying causes, some of which may be easier to address than others. Open discussion between the pharmacist and patient regarding barriers to adequate medication adherence, followed by a multifaceted, personalized intervention to address these barriers, plays a key role in encouraging patients to adhere to the recommendations of the health care team.
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To review the assessment and recommended management of mild to moderate chronic pain in the older adult. ⋯ The assessment of pain and use of analgesics in the older adult should benefit and not increase drug-related morbidity and mortality.
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · May 2010
Pharmacists on Facebook: online social networking and the profession.
To provide a brief history of Facebook and online social networking and discuss how it has contributed and can contribute in the future to a paradigm change in social communications. ⋯ The popularity of Facebook has brought the issue of online social networking to the forefront of professional and organizational discussions. The issues of privacy, identity protection, and e-professionalism are likely to reappear as pharmacists and student pharmacists continue to communicate via online networks. The potential exists for organizations to harness this organizational and communication power for their own interests. Further study is needed regarding the interaction between online social networking applications and the profession of pharmacy.