American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
-
Am J Health Syst Pharm · Mar 2007
ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings: monitoring and patient education--2006.
Results of the 2006 ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings that pertain to monitoring and patient education are presented. ⋯ Pharmacists have made significant strides to increase the number of patients whose drug therapy is monitored. Electronic access to laboratory data by pharmacists greatly increased, as did the availability of information transferred between the inpatient and outpatient settings. Therapeutic drug monitoring by pharmacists increased, as did pharmacists' ability to order serum medication levels and adjust dosages. More pharmacists were notified when medication levels fell outside the therapeutic range. Internal and external reporting of ADEs has decreased. Documentation of patient education declined. A significant percentage of hospitals developed and implemented medication reconciliation programs. The number of pharmacists per 100 occupied beds has increased, and the number of pharmacist vacancies remained stable.
-
Am J Health Syst Pharm · Feb 2007
Implementation of an electronic system for medication reconciliation.
The feasibility of implementing an electronic system for targeted pharmacist- and nurse-conducted admission and discharge medication reconciliation and its effects on patient safety, cost, and satisfaction among providers and nurses were studied. ⋯ Patients who had their medications electronically reconciled reported a greater understanding of the medications they were to take after discharge from the hospital, including medication administration instructions and potential adverse effects.
-
Am J Health Syst Pharm · Feb 2007
Implementing an intravenous insulin infusion protocol in the intensive care unit.
The implementation of three different insulin protocols in intensive care unit (ICU) settings in two community hospitals and one academic hospital is described. ⋯ The i.v. insulin infusion protocols developed and implemented in the ICUs at three institutions successfully achieved acceptance and compliance by physicians and nurses. The factors attributed to the success were multidisciplinary involvement, the continuous education of nursing staff, the vigilant involvement of a pharmacist, and flexibility in revising the protocol.
-
Am J Health Syst Pharm · Feb 2007
ReviewAnemia in critical care patients: incidence, etiology, impact, management, and use of treatment guidelines and protocols.
The incidence, etiology, impact, and management of anemia in critical care patients and the development of treatment guidelines and protocols for the management of anemia in this patient population are discussed. ⋯ Epoetin alfa can play an important role in managing anemia in critical care patients, thereby minimizing patient exposure to transfusion-related risks and optimizing the use of the limited blood supply. There is currently no data available for use of darbepoetin in this manner.