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 · Nov 2020
Evaluation of the reliability of MRSA screens in patients undergoing universal decolonization.
Colonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can be detected via nasal screens. Evidence indicates that negative MRSA nasal screens may be used to de-escalate anti-MRSA antibiotics in pulmonary infections. In the ICU, universal decolonization with intranasal mupirocin is implemented to reduce MRSA infection risk. This study aimed to determine whether mupirocin administration affects the reliability of MRSA PCR nasal screens. ⋯ Intranasal mupirocin prior to the screen may reduce NPV in pulmonary infections. Approach de-escalation of vancomycin based on screen results with caution.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Nov 2020
Observational StudySurviving the surge: Evaluation of early impact of COVID-19 on inpatient pharmacy services at a community teaching hospital.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has presented novel challenges to healthcare systems; however, an analysis of the impact of the pandemic on inpatient pharmacy services has not yet been conducted. ⋯ The operational and clinical requirements of an inpatient pharmacy department shifted considerably during the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pharmacy departments must be adaptable in order to continue to provide effective pharmaceutical care during the pandemic.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Nov 2020
From natural disaster to pandemic: A health-system pharmacy rises to the challenge.
This report describes a health-system pharmacy's response to a natural disaster while staff members simultaneously prepared for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. By detailing our experience, we hope to help other institutions that are current facing or could encounter similar crises. ⋯ The pharmacy department's efforts to respond to a natural disaster and unprecedented pandemic have proven successful to this point and have illuminated several lessons, including the necessity of cohesive department communication, staff flexibility, prioritization of teamwork, and external collaboration.