Journal of pharmacy practice
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Inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics has been identified as the most important modifiable risk factor for antimicrobial resistance. ⋯ Pharmacist-driven implementation of antibiotic prescribing algorithms improved guideline adherence in the outpatient treatment of CAP, SSTI, and UTI.
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What is known and objective: Despite increased use of dexmedetomidine as a light sedative in the ICU setting, diabetes insipidus (DI) secondary to a dexmedetomidine infusion has rarely been reported. Case summary: We present a 32-year-old male admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (ICU) with 50% total body surface area burn. ⋯ Excessive polyuria also led to significant electrolyte shifts (serum sodium 156 mmol/L and serum potassium < 1.8 mmol/L), resulting in Torsade's de Pointes. What is new and conclusion: Our case discusses diabetes insipidus leading to severe electrolyte abnormalities secondary to dexmedetomidine.
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To compare opioid prescribing behavior of emergency medicine providers following the enactment of Connecticut Public Act (PA) 15-198 at a large academic tertiary medical center. ⋯ The passage of PA 15-198 was associated with a decrease in the cumulative dose of opioids per prescription of solid dosage form products. This drop was precipitated by a transition from using opioids in schedule II to opioids in schedule IV and a modest decrease in prescribed opioid quantity.
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Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is a condition characterized by cyclic severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain associated with frequent, long-term marijuana use. The condition resolves with cessation of cannabis but may be temporarily relieved by bathing in hot water. Topical capsaicin cream may also alleviate symptoms, perhaps through antiemetic effects produced by activation of TRPV1 receptors, similar to that of hot water bathing. This review summarizes the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and management of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, focusing on treatment with topical capsaicin.
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Purpose: Outpatient antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are becoming increasingly prevalent in healthcare. Many programs have demonstrated the effectiveness of pharmacist-driven outpatient consultations or follow-up programs to ensure appropriate antimicrobial prescribing. However, there is a paucity of literature describing multidisciplinary approaches in large healthcare systems for patients discharged from the emergency department (ED). ⋯ Out of total calls, 60% lead to ASP interventions. Among total calls, the most frequent interventions were to correct drug-bug mismatches (20%), initiate new therapy (10%), and discontinue therapy (7%). Conclusion: This report describes a novel initiative that combines the efforts of ED NPs and ASP pharmacotherapy specialists in managing an ED follow-up center at a large healthcare system.