American journal of hospital pharmacy
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The physical compatibility and chemical stability of ondansetron hydrochloride 0.1 and 1 mg/mL with morphine sulfate 1 mg/mL and with hydromorphone hydrochloride 0.5 mg/mL in 0.9% sodium chloride injection were studied. Test solutions of the drugs in 0.9% sodium chloride injection were prepared in triplicate and stored at 4, 22, and 32 degrees C. Samples were removed immediately and at various time points over 31 days and stored at -70 degrees C until analyzed. ⋯ There were no visual or subvisual changes in turbidity or particle content in any of the test solutions at any of the time points. There was little or no loss of any of the drugs. When admixed in 0.9% sodium chloride injection, ondansetron hydrochloride 0.1 and 1 mg/mL plus morphine sulfate 1 mg/mL or hydromorphone hydrochloride 0.5 mg/mL were compatible and stable for at least 7 days at 32 degrees C and for at least 31 days at 4 and 22 degrees C.
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Comparative Study
Computerized documentation of pharmacists' interventions.
A computerized system for documenting interventions, developed by the pharmacy department at a 695-bed tertiary care university teaching hospital, is described. A computerized system was developed to better gain the needed details on pharmacists' recommendations, to capture a greater number of such recommendations, and to prepare for recent changes in standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Only clinically important recommendations or those that involve cost savings are documented. ⋯ Analysis of the data has provided numerous opportunities for improving both patient care and the quality of pharmaceutical services. The system has been well received by pharmacists and has resulted in physician support of pharmacists' recommendations, as well as substantial cost savings. A convenient, easy-to-use computerized program for reporting interventions has helped a pharmacy department conduct departmental and institutional quality assurance activities and decrease costs.
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The adequacy of a loading dose of aminophylline 6 mg/kg i.v. in hospitalized pediatric patients with reactive airway disease was studied. Children six months to 14 years of age were studied to determine their serum theophylline concentrations after they were given an aminophylline loading dose of 5-7 mg/kg i.v. and to see whether they had to receive additional bolus doses. Bolus doses were infused over 20-30 minutes and were followed by a continuous infusion. ⋯ Males had significantly lower serum theophylline concentrations than females; of the patients with subtherapeutic concentrations, 67% were males. Patients five years of age or younger were more likely than older children to have subtherapeutic theophylline concentrations. A 6-mg/kg loading dose of i.v. aminophylline did not produce adequate serum theophylline concentrations or eliminate the need for a second bolus dose in most pediatric patients with acute exacerbations of asthma.