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 · Jul 2021
Multicenter StudyDescriptive analysis of the unwarranted continuation of antipsychotics for the management of ICU delirium during transitions of care: A multicenter evaluation across New Jersey.
Nearly half of intensive care unit (ICU) patients will develop delirium. Antipsychotics are used routinely for the management of ICU delirium despite limited reliable data supporting this approach. The unwarranted continuation of antipsychotics initiated for ICU delirium is an emerging transitions of care concern, especially considering the adverse event profile of these agents. We sought to evaluate the magnitude of this issue across 6 centers in New Jersey and describe risk factors for continuation. ⋯ The continuation of antipsychotics for the management of delirium during transitions of care was a common practice across ICUs in New Jersey. Several risk factors for continuation of antipsychotics were identified. Efforts to reduce unnecessary continuation of antipsychotics at transitions of care are warranted.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Jan 2021
Multicenter StudyA survey of US hospitals' criteria for the allocation of remdesivir to treat COVID-19.
To determine how hospitals across the United States determined allocation criteria for remdesivir, approved in May 2020 for treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) through an emergency use authorization, while maintaining fair and ethical distribution when patient needs exceeded supply. ⋯ The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the inconsistencies of US medical centers' methods for allocating a limited pharmacotherapy resource that required rapid, fair, ethical and equitable distribution. The medical community, with citizen participation, needs to develop systems to continuously reevaluate criteria for treatment allocation as additional guidance and data emerge.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Jan 2019
Multicenter StudyPharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship program in an urgent care setting.
While many programs have demonstrated pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship successes in inpatient and emergency department (ED) settings, there is a paucity of literature exploring these initiatives in urgent care (UC) sites. This study aimed to determine the impact of implementing a pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) in the UC setting. ⋯ A pharmacist-led urgent care ASP was associated with significantly improved guideline-concordant antimicrobial prescribing.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Jun 2018
Multicenter StudyCharacterization of alteplase therapy for presumed or confirmed pulmonary embolism during cardiac arrest.
The dosing and administration of alteplase in cardiac arrest due to suspected or confirmed pulmonary embolism (PE) are characterized. ⋯ Among patients receiving alteplase for presumed or confirmed PE during cardiac arrest, the most common treatment was administration of a single 50-mg bolus of the thrombolytic agent. This treatment was received by all survivors of cardiac arrest.
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Am J Health Syst Pharm · Jul 2013
Multicenter StudyBiological contamination of insulin pens in a hospital setting.
Biological contamination of insulin pens in a hospital setting was studied. ⋯ Examination of 125 insulin pens used in hospitals revealed hemoglobin in 1 pen and at least one cell in another 6 pens. The nine detected cells consisted of four squamous epithelial cells, four macrophages, and one RBC.