American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
-
Am J Health Syst Pharm · May 2010
Case ReportsInhaled morphine for palliation of dyspnea in end-stage cystic fibrosis.
The successful use of inhaled morphine to relieve dyspnea in a patient with end-stage cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is described. ⋯ Inhaled morphine was effective in relieving dyspnea in a patient with end-stage CF lung disease.
-
Am J Health Syst Pharm · May 2010
Case ReportsNew and emerging antiarrhythmic and anticoagulant agents for atrial fibrillation.
To compare and contrast the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of new, emerging, and established antiarrhythmic and anticoagulant medications and describe nonpharmacologic interventions for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). ⋯ New and emerging antiarrhythmic and anticoagulant agents offer advantages over established agents and may improve outcomes in patients with AF.
-
Am J Health Syst Pharm · Apr 2010
Managing inhaled anesthesia: challenges from a health-system pharmacist's perspective.
To discuss the challenges that health-system pharmacists face in managing the use and costs of inhaled anesthesia in the operating room (OR), the characteristics of inhaled anesthesia agents, systems for delivering inhaled anesthesia, and the role of inhaled anesthetics in fast-track recovery after surgery. ⋯ Understanding the differences in characteristics and delivery of the inhaled anesthesia agents will enable health-system pharmacists to collaborate with anesthesia care providers to better manage the use and costs of these agents.
-
To describe the components of and factors contributing to the costs of inhaled anesthesia, basis for quantifying and comparing these costs, and practical strategies for performing pharmacoeconomic analyses and reducing the costs of inhaled anesthetic agents. ⋯ Understanding factors that contribute to the costs of inhaled anesthesia and considering those factors in pharmacoeconomic analyses and recommendations for use of these agents can result in cost savings.
-
Am J Health Syst Pharm · Apr 2010
An anesthesiologist's perspective on inhaled anesthesia decision-making.
To describe the culture and content of anesthesia practice; the stages, types, and goals of anesthesia; nomenclature and factors that can affect dosing of inhaled anesthesia; basis for anesthesiologist choices among inhaled anesthesia agents; and special considerations in using inhaled anesthesia in bariatric surgery patients, pediatric patients, and cardiac surgery patients; and to provide insights into myths associated with inhaled anesthesia. ⋯ Experience and careful consideration of the characteristics of inhaled anesthesia agents and surgery- and patient-specific factors allow anesthesia care providers to meet the rapidly changing needs of patients receiving inhaled anesthesia in a safe and cost-effective manner.