American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
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The use of factor VIIa (recombinant) for the treatment of acute traumatic hemorrhage is reviewed. ⋯ Factor VIIa (recombinant) reduces RBC transfusion requirements in patients with blunt traumatic hemorrhage, and its effect on mortality is currently being investigated. Adjunctive use of factor VIIa (recombinant) should be considered only after other treatment modalities have been optimized.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Sep 2008
Standardization of infusion solutions to reduce the risk of incompatibility.
Although critically ill patients usually have various central intravenous (i.v.) lines, numerous drugs have to be infused simultaneously through the same lines. This can result in potentially harmful in-line incompatibility that can cause decreased drug effectiveness or increased microparticle load. To minimize the risk of these medication errors at an anesthesia intensive care unit (ICU), the preparation and administration of continuously infused drugs were standardized and the practicability in daily clinical routine was evaluated. ⋯ A project intended to avoid incompatibility among i.v. drugs infused in the intensive care setting included steps to standardize solutions and determine which could be given together.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Sep 2008
Pharmacist-led program to improve venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in a community hospital.
The implementation of a pharmacist-led program to improve venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis is examined. ⋯ A pharmacist-led program for VTE prevention was associated with a significant increase in the prescribing of VTE prophylaxis and a significant reduction in ultrasonographically confirmed DVT.