International journal of clinical pharmacy
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Meta Analysis
Influence of dexmedetomidine on cardiac complications in non-cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.
Background The cardiac protection of dexmedetomidine (Dex) in peri-operative period of patients with non-cardiac surgery is still controversial. Aim of the Review We aimed to evaluate the influence of Dex on cardiac complications in peri-operative period of non-cardiac surgery by using a meta-analysis. Methods PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane library and Springer databases were searched for relevant studies. ⋯ In subgroup analysis, the risk of bradycardia was significantly higher in 1.0 μg/kg Dex group than that in placebo group. Besides, a higher risk of hypotension in 0.5 μg/kg Dex group than that in placebo group was found. Conclusions Dex supplement might not reduce the risk of cardiac complications but increases the risk of hypotension and bradycardia in peri-operative period of patients who underwent non-cardiac surgeries.
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Background Current reports of outpatient antimicrobial prescribing practices may overestimate guideline concordance since they address only drug selection. Appropriate stewardship should consider all prescribing criteria (i.e., dose, frequency, duration, and route of administration) to fully assess guideline concordance. Objective Using a community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) example, the aims of this pilot study were to estimate guideline concordance in adult patients 18 years or older when all prescribing criteria are considered, and provide recommendations to optimize treatment. ⋯ Conclusion Concordance with current guidelines in this local sample is suboptimal. In the low-risk group, when the correct medication was chosen, dose, duration, and frequency were appropriate. Consideration of dose and duration of treatment decreased the rate of concordant prescribing in the high-risk group.
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Observational Study
Evaluation of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in a major hospital in a developing country.
Background Venous thromboembolism is the most common preventable cause of hospital death. Despite that, there is still a large gap between what we know about venous thromboembolism prophylaxis and what is happening in current practice. ⋯ Method In this cross-sectional observational study, patients were randomly selected from medical and surgical wards. The need for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis was assessed according to the American College of Chest Physicians guideline (9th edition) for men and non-pregnant women, and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines for pregnant women.
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Observational Study
A retrospective study of antibiotic de-escalation in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia in Malaysia.
Background Antibiotic de-escalation is an important strategy to conserve the effectiveness of broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, the outcome of this strategy for the treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) has not been widely studied in developing countries. Objectives To evaluate the outcome on intensive care unit (ICU) mortality, 28 days mortality, and length of ICU stay among VAP patients who receive de-escalation therapy. ⋯ There was no statistically significant difference in mortality rate, survival probability and the mean length of ICU stay between the de-escalation and the non-de-escalation group. However, patients with Simplified Acute Physiology Score II of ≥50 were significantly associated with ICU mortality and 28 days mortality. Conclusions In VAP patients, antibiotic de-escalation provides an opportunity to promote the judicious use of antibiotics without affecting the clinical outcomes.
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Objective To explore community pharmacists' continuing education, counseling and communication practices, attitudes and barriers in relation to pediatric asthma management. Setting Community pharmacies in Michigan, United States. Methods Between July and September 2015 a convenience sample of community pharmacists was recruited from southeastern Michigan and asked to complete a structured, self-reported questionnaire. ⋯ This study showed that community pharmacists are confident in general communication. However pharmacists are reporting lower confidence levels in counseling on higher order self-management strategies with patients. More appropriate and targeted continuing education programs for pharmacists around asthma self-management education are recommended.