The Annals of pharmacotherapy
-
Sepsis and septic shock remain a significant burden on the US health care system. A multidisciplinary response system (Coordinated Response to Sepsis, CaRTS) that included a pharmacist responder was implemented for patients with newly suspected sepsis. ⋯ Utilization of a multidisciplinary sepsis bundle that included a pharmacist responder improved the proportion of patients receiving appropriate antibiotics within 1 hour of recognition of sepsis compared to historical controls.
-
Management of bleeding in patients on oral anticoagulants (OACs) is crucial in optimizing outcomes. No large studies examine 3-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) for OAC reversal. ⋯ Three-factor PCC administration with IV vitamin K was effective for INR reversal and bleeding cessation and should continue to be a mainstay of therapy pending head-to-head outcome and cost comparisons with 4-factor products.
-
Medication-related problems and adverse drug events are leading causes of preventable hospitalizations. Few previous studies have investigated the possible association between medication regimen complexity and unplanned rehospitalization. ⋯ Medication regimen complexity was not associated with unplanned hospital readmission in older people. However, in patients discharged to nonhome settings, the number of discharge medications and polypharmacy predicted rehospitalization. A patient's discharge destination is an important factor in unplanned medication-related readmissions.