Pharm World Sci
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of two types of TPN prescription methods in preterm neonates.
Total parenteral nutrition is commonly used in neonates' intensive care units for nutritional support of preterm neonates. Adequacy and safety of parenteral nutrition support are amongst the major concerns of neonates' therapy. Parenteral nutrition prescription in Greek hospitals is not based on standardized protocols, thus resulting in wide diversity of formulations. In this study, the results of utilization of standardized computerized parenteral nutrition protocols and regimens for neonates are compared to the results of protocols and regimens prescribed by individual neonatologists on neonates' outcome (weight changes, adequacy of parenteral nutrition, days of hospitalization, clinical outcome). ⋯ The use of standardized protocols in preterm neonates resulted in more adequate provision of nutrients, weight gain and better blood count profile compared with protocols prescribed by individual physicians.
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In Australia, accredited pharmacists perform medication reviews for patients to identify and resolve drug-related problems. We analysed the drug-related problems identified in reviews for both home-dwelling and residential care-facility patients. The objective of this study was to examine the number and nature of the drug-related problems identified and investigate differences between each type of review. ⋯ These data illustrate the prevalence of drug-related problems and the ability of pharmacists to identify these problems in the Australian models of medication review. The nature and frequency of problems varied between reviews for home-dwelling and care-facility patients. Such information may be used to better focus the training of practitioners based on the most frequently encountered health problems and the nature of common drug-related problems in the two settings.