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 · Oct 2014
Effect of adding piperacillin-tazobactam to automated dispensing cabinets on promptness of first-dose antibiotics in hospitalized patients.
Significant improvements in order-to-administration times for critical first doses of i.v. antibiotic therapy through the use of automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) are reported. ⋯ The addition of a piperacillin-tazobactam product and other commonly used i.v. antibiotics to ADCs was associated with a significantly reduced order-to-administration time for piperacillin-tazobactam first doses. This change was accounted for by a significant reduction in the time between order entry and drug administration.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Sep 2014
ReviewThe opioid abuse and misuse epidemic: implications for pharmacists in hospitals and health systems.
The current epidemic of prescription opioid abuse and misuse in the United States is discussed, with an emphasis on the pharmacist's role in ensuring safe and effective opioid use. ⋯ Pharmacists in hospitals and health systems can play a key role in recognizing the various forms of opioid toxicity and in preventing inappropriate prescribing and diversion of opioids.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Sep 2014
Adverse drug events among patients receiving postsurgical opioids in a large health system: risk factors and outcomes.
Results of a study of postsurgical opioid-related adverse drug events (ORADEs) within a large health system are reported. ⋯ Analysis of information from a large database demonstrated that opioid-treated postsurgical inpatients who had multiple risk factors for ORADEs were more likely to have higher mean costs, greater readmission rates, and longer LOS than patients with fewer risk factors.
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The implementation and outcomes of a pharmacy technician medication history program are described. ⋯ A defined medication history based on a medication history standard served as an effective foundation for a pharmacy technician medication history program, which helped improve provider compliance with discharge medication reconciliation.