International journal of clinical pharmacy
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The outpatient utilization of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in South Bačka District, Serbia.
To evaluate the utilization of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in South Bačka District (SBD), Serbia. ⋯ Factors other than evidence-based medicine (such as poor health education in the past that led to long-lasting consequences on the cultural behaviour of the general population as well as on the prescribing habits of physicians) have a dominating impact on the use of NSAIDs in SBD. Targeted education from independent sources in the prescribing, dispensing and use of drugs is required to improve the quality of prescription and use of NSAIDs in Serbia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine versus morphine in post-operative cardiac surgery patients.
To compare the efficacy of dexmedetomidine versus morphine as a sedative/analgesic among post-operative cardiac surgery patients. ⋯ This preliminary study suggests that dexmedetomidine was at least comparable to morphine in terms of efficacy and safety among cardiac surgery patients. Further studies with larger samples are recommended in order to determine the significant effects of the outcome measures.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Implementing a pharmacist-led sequential antimicrobial therapy strategy: a controlled before-and-after study.
Sequential antimicrobial therapy is an important part of antimicrobial stewardship and intends to improve the timeliness of switch to oral antimicrobials. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the introduction of guidelines and criteria for switching to oral antimicrobials. ⋯ This controlled before and after study demonstrates successful implementation of a pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship strategy. Duration of IV antimicrobial treatment reduced significantly and the timeliness of switch significantly improved. This study may be used as a template for the introduction of further pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship initiatives.
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Frequency and type of medication errors and role of clinical pharmacists in detection and prevention of these errors were evaluated in this study. ⋯ Medication errors occur frequently in medical wards. Clinical pharmacists' interventions can effectively prevent these errors. The types of errors indicate the need for continuous education and implementation of clinical pharmacist's interventions.