The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous potassium phosphate administered in a fixed-dose regimen in critically ill patients. ⋯ The administration of potassium phosphate 15 mmol to critically ill patients with mild-to-moderate hypophosphatemia over 3 hours is both effective and safe. The administration of potassium phosphate 30 mmol to severely hypophosphatemic patients was safe but achieved normalization of serum phosphate in a minority of patients. Either a higher dose or the subsequent administration of more potassium phosphate may be required to normalize serum phosphate concentrations. Once normalization has occurred, there is a high likelihood of redevelopment of hypophosphatemia over the following 2 days and supplementation should be given accordingly.
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To determine the stability of fosphenytoin sodium admixtures with NaCl 0.9% injection and dextrose 5% (D5W) injection when stored in glass or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containers, to evaluate the compatibility of fosphenytoin with 11 other intravenous solutions, and to determine the stability of fosphenytoin repackaged in polypropylene syringes. ⋯ Fosphenytoin sodium, either undiluted in polypropylene syringes or diluted with NaCl 0.9% or D5W in PVC bags, remains stable for at least 30 days at room temperature, under refrigeration, or frozen. After removal from the freezer, fosphenytoin can be thawed, kept at 4 or 25 degrees C for 7 days, and then returned to the freezer for another 7 days. Admixtures of fosphenytoin sodium in various other intravenous fluids are stable for at least 7 days at room temperature.
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Hyponatremia, natriuresis, and a decrease in plasma volume of greater than 10% occurs in approximately 50% of the patients with aneurysmal SAH, perhaps due to SIADH and CSWS. However, fluid restriction, as indicated in SIADH, might result in vasospasm and cerebral infarction in these patients. Maintaining intravascular volume seems to be important in SAH; several reports suggest that cerebral ischemia can be reversed by use of volume expanders. ⋯ Adequate oral salt intake also appears to have possible therapeutic benefit in these patients. However, it remains unproven whether fludrocortisone results in a decreased incidence of cerebral ischemia. Larger controlled trials are needed to ascertain the impact of fludrocortisone on prevention of cerebral ischemia in patients with SAH.
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Clinical Trial
Development of an intravenous-to-oral route conversion program for antimicrobial therapy at a Canadian tertiary care health facility.
To describe the effect of introducing a route conversion program on the prescribing of antimicrobials for the treatment of respiratory tract infections and skin/soft tissue infections in a sample population. ⋯ The program had a positive influence on antimicrobial prescribing behavior in the population studied. Strategies to ensure continued benefit from the program have been developed.