American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Jul 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyCost-related nonadherence to prescribed medication therapy among Medicare Part D beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease.
Medication nonadherence due to cost issues among community-dwelling patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) enrolled in Medicare prescription drug plans was evaluated. ⋯ In early 2007, 31% of survey respondents with ESRD enrolled in Medicare Part D drug plans reported CRN in the preceding six months. After adjusting for potential confounders, respondents with ESRD remained 23% more likely than respondents without ESRD to report CRN in the preceding six months.
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Published evidence on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of fibromyalgia is reviewed, with an emphasis on recent clinical trials of various pharmacologic agents. ⋯ A broad range of drugs has been used to treat fibromyalgia. Symptoms, comorbidities, adverse effects, and patient preference are important considerations in drug selection.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Jul 2011
ReviewRapid-sequence intubation and the role of the emergency department pharmacist.
The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, safety, and dosing of medications used during the pretreatment and paralysis with induction steps of rapid-sequence intubation (RSI) and the role of the pharmacist in RSI are reviewed. ⋯ The selection of an appropriate sedative and neuromuscular blocker during the pretreatment and paralysis with induction steps of RSI can be facilitated by an ED pharmacist.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Jul 2011
ReviewDexmedetomidine for opioid and benzodiazepine withdrawal in pediatric patients.
The published literature on the use of dexmedetomidine as an adjunct to sedation and analgesia in the management of pediatric narcotic withdrawal was reviewed. ⋯ A limited body of published evidence from retrospective studies and case reports suggests a potential role for dexmedetomidine as an adjunct therapy to provide sedation and analgesia to reduce narcotic withdrawal symptoms in pediatric patients.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Jul 2011
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyAnticoagulation therapy for hospitalized patients: patterns of use, compliance with national guidelines, and performance on quality measures.
The use of anticoagulant therapy for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among hospital inpatients was evaluated. ⋯ Among hospitals in a large national health care system, the most common use of anticoagulants in hospitalized patients was for VTE prevention, followed by ACS and VTE treatment. Enoxaparin and UFH were the most commonly used agents for each indication, and the selection and use of anticoagulants were in compliance with national guidelines in the majority of patients for whom those drugs were prescribed.