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Intensive glucose control in the management of diabetes mellitus and inpatient hyperglycemia.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2010 May 15;67(10):798-805

Authors: Shogbon AO, Levy SB

PURPOSE: The current evidence on intensive glycemic control in the inpatient and outpatient settings and its implications to practice are reviewed. SUMMARY: Poor glycemic control in patients with diabetes is associated with microvascular and macrovascular complications. Various clinical trials involving patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes have revealed the benefits of intensive glycemic control in delaying the onset and progression of microvascular complications of diabetes. However, while long-term epidemiologic trials and a meta-analysis have shown a benefit of intensive glycemic control in reducing the incidence of macrovascular complications, recent clinical trials have not found similar benefits. The American Diabetes Association (ADA), American College of Endocrinology (ACE), and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommend intensive control of glycosylated hemoglobin and plasma glucose at specified goals. Hyperglycemia in the inpatient setting is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. ACE and ADA recommend the use of an i.v. insulin infusion in critically ill inpatients with hyperglycemia. In noncritically ill inpatients, basal and bolus doses of insulin are recommended. The use of sliding-scale insulin as the sole therapy for inpatient hyperglycemia is discouraged. However, caution must be exercised to ensure a balance between controlling hyperglycemia and reducing the risk of hypoglycemia. CONCLUSION: While intensive glycemic control is known to prevent or delay the occurrence of microvascular complications of diabetes, macrovascular benefits are still uncertain. Current evidence suggests that intensive glycemic control should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes in order to maximize potential long-term macrovascular benefits. Inpatient hyperglycemia should be managed appropriately to reduce morbidity and mortality, with great care taken to avoid and appropriately treat hypoglycemia.

PMID: 20479101 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Pharmacists’ role in ensuring safe and effective hospital use of insulin.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2010 Aug;67(16 Suppl 8):S17-21

Authors: Cohen MR

PURPOSE: To highlight the potential errors that may occur with insulin use in the inpatient setting and to describe how pharmacists can be part of the solution by implementing practices that reduce the likelihood of insulin-related medication errors. SUMMARY: Insulin is a drug with a low therapeutic index, and it bears a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm when used in error, making it a high-alert medication. Both underdosing and overdosing of insulin may be associated with adverse outcomes. The use of standard insulin order sets for scheduled subcutaneous insulin administration and standard concentrations for i.v. insulin are recommended to ensure the safe use of this medication. Any ambiguous insulin therapy orders should be clarified in writing prior to administration. Preparation of all insulin infusions should occur within the pharmacy. Pharmacists should be aware of possible medication errors related to inappropriate use of abbreviations such as U for units. Safe insulin storage practices are recommended to reduce the risk for insulin error. Insulin pen delivery devices may be used in hospitals, but safe use depends on ongoing oversight by a multidisciplinary committee, introduction of one device at a time, and initial and regular follow-up education of nurses, including agency nurses and those who work part-time. In addition, ongoing monitoring is needed to assure ongoing safety. The use of sliding-scale insulin can lead to hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia and is confusing and prone to error; it is not recommended. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists can contribute to the safe use of insulin in the inpatient setting by minimizing the likelihood of medication errors related to prescribing, transcription, dispensing, administration, storage, and communication.

PMID: 20689148 [PubMed - in process]

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Reexamining the evidence for inpatient glucose control: new recommendations for glycemic targets.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2010 Aug;67(16 Suppl 8):S3-8

Authors: Moghissi ES

PURPOSE: To review the risks of hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients, data supporting the benefits of treating hyperglycemia, and recommendations from the 2009 American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American Diabetes Association consensus statement on the management of inpatient hyperglycemia. SUMMARY: Inpatient hyperglycemia is common, costly, and associated with poor clinical outcomes in many disease states. Despite inconsistencies in clinical trial results, good glucose management in the hospital remains important. Target blood glucose concentrations (BGs) were recently modified to somewhat higher values with the expectation that the benefit of treatment will persist with a lower risk of hypoglycemia, which is itself another marker of poor outcome in critically and non-critically ill patients. In the intensive care unit (ICU), the threshold to start treatment is a BG of <or=180 mg/dL. I.V. insulin is the treatment of choice in critically ill patients because of its rapid onset and offset of action. Once i.v. insulin is started, the BG should be maintained between 140 and 180 mg/ dL; a lower BG target (110-140 mg/dL) may be appropriate in selected patients. Targets of <110 mg/dL or >180 mg/dL are no longer recommended. In non-critically ill patients, premeal BG targets are <140 mg/dL; random BGs of <180 mg/dL are recommended. Scheduled subcutaneous insulin is the treatment of choice for hyperglycemia in non-critically ill patients; use of sliding-scale insulin is strongly discouraged. To avoid hypoglycemia, insulin regimens should be reassessed if BG falls to <100 mg/dL. CONCLUSION: Poor glycemic control in the hospital setting is a quality-of-care, safety, and cost issue. Safe and effective strategies to implement optimal glycemic control require multidisciplinary involvement. Insulin given i.v. in the ICU or subcutaneously on an as-scheduled regimen in other parts of the hospital is the treatment of choice.

PMID: 20689151 [PubMed - in process]

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Ensuring optimal insulin utilization in the hospital setting: role of the pharmacist.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2010 Aug;67(16 Suppl 8):S9-16

Authors: Kelly JL

PURPOSE: To summarize essential information for the hospital pharmacist to support the safe and effective use of insulin for the treatment of inpatient hyperglycemia. SUMMARY: Ensuring optimal insulin utilization in the hospital setting requires collaboration of a multidisciplinary team, including physicians (and endocrinologists specifically), nurses, pharmacists, dieticians, diabetes educators, laboratory staff, quality management staff, and others. The role of pharmacists in this multidisciplinary team is to assist in the standardization of insulin therapy via selection of appropriate insulin treatment protocols, participate in formulary management of insulin products, and contribute to the development of order sets and policies and procedures to minimize the risk of medication errors and misadventures. In addition, pharmacists can provide guidelines or treatment recommendations in special situations, such as those involving patients receiving enteral or parenteral nutrition or high-dose corticosteroids and the transition from i.v. to subcutaneous insulin therapy. Education of patients and providers is another key role for pharmacists. Nurses are important allies in the effort to ensure safe insulin use, as they are at the bedside of patients administering and adjusting insulin therapy. Recommendations are provided for the safe and effective use of insulin for the treatment of inpatient hyperglycemia. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists are an integral part of the multidisciplinary team ensuring the safe and effective implementation of inpatient hyperglycemic control and insulin usage.

PMID: 20689152 [PubMed - in process]

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Effects of an adverse-drug-event alert system on cost and quality outcomes in community hospitals.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2010 Apr 15;67(8):613-20

Authors: Piontek F, Kohli R, Conlon P, Ellis JJ, Jablonski J, Kini N

PURPOSE: The effects of an adverse-drug-event (ADE) alert system on cost and quality outcomes in community hospitals were evaluated. METHODS: This retrospective observational study evaluated the effects of an ADE alert system in seven hospitals in the Trinity Health network. Outcomes for all inpatients admitted to these hospitals after and one year before the deployment of an ADE alert system were evaluated. Inpatients in two network hospitals that lacked any computerized ADE alert system constituted the external control group. Administrative data were gathered for patients from these facilities for the same time frames as for the preimplementation and postimplementation groups. Primary outcomes evaluated included pharmacy department costs, variable drug costs, and mortality rates. Secondary outcomes included total hospitalization costs, length of hospital stay (LOS), rate of readmission, and case-mix index. Mean differences in primary and secondary outcome measures across all four groups were examined using analysis of variance. RESULTS: Significant decreases in mean pharmacy department costs per patient were observed from preimplementation to postimplementation (p < 0.001), while pharmacy department costs increased significantly in the external control group (p = 0.029). Drug costs decreased significantly from baseline (p < 0.001) in the postimplementation group. Drug costs increased significantly in the external control group (p = 0.029). Severity-adjusted mortality rates and LOS decreased significantly in the postimplementation group. Total patient hospitalization costs, both crude and severity adjusted, significantly increased in both groups. CONCLUSION: Implementation of an ADE alert system in seven community hospitals demonstrated significant decreases in pharmacy department costs, variable drug costs, and severity-adjusted mortality rates.

PMID: 20360588 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Clevidipine: a new intravenous option for the management of acute hypertension.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2010 Mar 1;67(5):351-60

Authors: Ndefo UA, Erowele GI, Ebiasah R, Green W

PURPOSE: The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, dosage and administration, and place in therapy of clevidipine are reviewed. SUMMARY: Clevidipine is a new lipophilic, short-acting, third-generation dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB) approved for use in the management of acute hypertension when oral agents are not feasible. It exerts its hemodynamic effects through selective arterial vasodilation without effects on the venous circulation. Clevidipine has a half-life of approximately two minutes after i.v. administration, resulting in very rapid onset and offset of antihypertensive action. Unlike many current i.v. antihypertensive agents that are metabolized by the kidneys or liver, clevidipine is metabolized in the blood and tissues and does not accumulate in the body. Clevidipine does not appear to inhibit or induce cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes. Several Phase III clinical trials have reported the clinical efficacy and safety of clevidipine in patients with severe hypertension and in cardiac surgical patients with perioperative hypertension. The most frequent adverse events reported in clinical trials of clevidipine were headache, nausea, and vomiting. Risk of rebound hypertension, especially in patients not transitioned from clevidipine to oral antihypertensive therapy after prolonged infusions, should be monitored for at least eight hours after the drug is discontinued. CONCLUSION: Clevidipine, a novel third-generation dihydropyridine CCB, has demonstrated efficacy and safety in patients with acute hypertension and preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative hypertension. While its short duration of action and short half-life are appropriate for use in acute settings, more information on its safety is needed to assess its appropriate use in therapy.

PMID: 20172984 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Estimating aminoglycoside clearance and creatinine clearance in underweight patients.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2010 Feb 15;67(4):274-9

Authors: Khuu T, Bagdasarian G, Leung J, Nguyen N, Lam LD, Han EE, Ambrose PJ

PURPOSE: An adjustment factor (AF) was developed and evaluated to determine the best method for estimating aminoglycoside clearance (CL(amino)) and creatinine clearance (CL(cr)) in underweight patients. METHODS: This study was a retrospective, multicenter, chart analysis of aminoglycoside pharmacokinetic data obtained between January 2000 and August 2006 at the University of Southern California University Hospital and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Adult patients were included in this study if they had received inpatient aminoglycoside therapy, were at least 60 inches tall, and were at least 10% below their ideal body weight (IBW). CL(cr) and CL(amino) were estimated and compared to actual CL(amino) using the Cockcroft-Gault equation with actual serum creatinine (SCr) (CG(SCr)), Cockcroft-Gault equation with SCr rounded to 1 mg/dL (CG(rnd)), and Cockcroft-Gault equation multiplied by an AF (CG(AF)). Results An AF of 0.69 was determined from 52 patients and tested in 53 separate patients. The CG(AF) method was more precise and less biased than the CG(SCr) equation; the CG(rnd) equation was less biased than the CG(SCr) equation; the CG(AF) method was more precise and less biased than the CG(rnd) equation, but this difference was not statistically significant. In underweight patients with an SCr concentration of > or = 1 mg/dL, the CG(AF) method had less bias compared with the CG(SCr) equation. CONCLUSION: Both the CG(rnd) and CG(AF) methods of predicting CL(amino) in underweight patients were superior to the CG(SCr) equation. The CG(AF) method was more accurate in patients exhibiting greater differences between IBW and actual body weight.

PMID: 20133531 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Management of loop diuretic resistance in the intensive care unit.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2009 Sep 15;66(18):1635-40

Authors: Asare K

PURPOSE: The management of loop diuretic resistance in the intensive care unit (ICU) is reviewed. SUMMARY: Volume overload, a common complication of fluid resuscitation, is frequently encountered in the ICU and is associated with numerous adverse effects, including pulmonary and peripheral edema, acute lung injury, and pleural effusions. Loop diuretics are used to treat volume overload and acute renal failure and to ameliorate their associated complications. When administered intravenously, these drugs induce vigorous and prompt diuresis, which may result in negative fluid balance. This may also result in significant adverse effects, including electrolyte imbalance, ototoxicity, and volume contraction. Prolonged use of loop diuretics may lead to loop diuretic resistance, a frequent observation in the ICU. Three general mechanisms are used to explain loop diuretic resistance: rebound sodium retention, postdiuretic effect, and diuretic braking. While very few agents have joined the armamentarium and no new strategies have been developed to deal with this phenomenon, several options are available to clinicians for managing loop diuretic resistance, including salt restriction, administration of i.v. loop diuretics, continuous infusion of loop diuretics, and combination therapy using loop diuretics and thiazides. CONCLUSION: Loop diuretic resistance presents a challenge for clinicians in the ICU setting. Strategies to improve patients’ responsiveness to these agents include fluid and salt restriction, switching from oral to i.v. loop diuretics, increasing diuretic dose, continuous infusion, and combination therapy with thiazides. Several of these strategies may be used concurrently to combat diuretic resistance and promote symptomatic relief of edema in the critically ill patient.

PMID: 19729568 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Effect of clinical pharmacists on care in the emergency department: a systematic review.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2009 Aug 1;66(15):1353-61

Authors: Cohen V, Jellinek SP, Hatch A, Motov S

PURPOSE: A systematic literature review was conducted to ascertain the scope of involvement of clinical pharmacists in the emergency department (ED); summarize economic, humanistic, and clinical outcomes data; describe current limitations of these data; and identify areas for future research. METHODS: A search of MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and CINAHL Plus databases was conducted. Articles were included in this review if the title and abstract indicated that the article’s content addressed the scope of involvement of pharmacists in the ED or pharmacist interventions in the ED and their associated outcomes, such as humanistic outcomes, cost avoidance, or improved quality. Qualitative analyses were conducted to characterize pharmacists’ activities and effects in the ED. RESULTS: Of the 533 returned citations, only 17 met the inclusion criteria. Each provided a description of clinical pharmacy services at 12 different institutions. Descriptions of these institutions and job responsibilities of the ED pharmacists are described. Six studies reported information about pharmacist interventions, including the number and types of interventions, time spent per intervention, and acceptance rate of interventions. Four studies reported cost-related outcomes data. CONCLUSION: A review of the literature revealed that pharmacists have been involved in the ED for decades. Services provided by pharmacists in the ED included traditional clinical pharmacy services, responding to medical emergencies, providing consultations on medication issues, identifying and reducing medication errors, and conducting medication histories at hospital admission. Some services were shown to be cost saving or cost avoiding.

PMID: 19635771 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Medication errors resulting from computer entry by nonprescribers.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2009 May 1;66(9):843-53

Authors: Santell JP, Kowiatek JG, Weber RJ, Hicks RW, Sirio CA

PURPOSE: The characteristics of medication errors associated with the use of computer order-entry systems by nonprescribers are discussed. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of records submitted to MEDMARX was conducted for the period from July 1, 2001, to December 31, 2005, to identify all computer-related medication errors made by nonprescribers. Quantitative analysis of the records included the severity of each error, the origin within the medication-use process, the type of error, principal causes, the location within the facility where the error was made, and the therapeutic drug classes frequently involved. Similar data from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) were also analyzed and compared with the national data set. RESULTS: During the 4.5 years, 693 unique facilities submitted 90,001 medication error records that were the result of computer entry by nonprescribers. The national data set and the UPMC data had similar findings for error severity, error origin, and type of error but showed some differences in the rank ordering of error causes, location where the error occurred, and drug classes frequently associated with such errors. The percentage of harm associated with computer-entry errors was small for both the national data set and UPMC data (0.99% and 0.80%, respectively). Both data sets cited performance deficit as the leading cause of computer-entry errors, but large percentage differences were seen with other causes, including inaccurate or omitted transcription (30% versus 12.6%, respectively), documentation (19.5% versus 10.6%, respectively), and procedure or protocol not followed (21.7% versus 30.3%, respectively). Both data sets implicated the inpatient pharmacy department as the location where most computer-entry errors occurred (49.3% versus 69.0%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Analysis of the characteristics of medication errors associated with the use of computer-entry systems by non-prescribers from both MEDMARX and an individual health system database demonstrated that computer systems create new opportunities for errors to occur. Working closely with information technology personnel dedicated to assisting pharmacy departments and vendors, adequate training of pharmacy staff, and development of national standards for drug information displays in computer order-entry systems may help minimize such errors.

PMID: 19386948 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2009 Mar 15;66(6):562-6

Authors: Coons JC, Barnes M, Kusick K

PURPOSE: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is discussed as an alternative diagnosis to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) for emotionally and physically stressed patients with transient apical akinesis or dyskinesis of the left ventricle (LV) in the absence of coronary artery disease (CAD). SUMMARY: The name takotsubo cardiomyopathy refers to the hallmark shape of the LV during initial presentation. The apical portion of the heart balloons out, while the base of the heart has preserved systolic function. It is estimated that 0.5-2% of all patients with ACS symptoms may have takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Symptoms mimic those of a myocardial infarction (MI), and the evaluation of cardiac biomarkers, including troponin, may show a mild increase. Clinical symptoms are generally similar to ACS symptoms. While chest pain and dyspnea are most common, other features, such as cardiogenic shock, are rarer. A case example is described in which a 52-year-old white woman presented herself with complaints of chest pain and shortness of breath. She explained that the chest pain started after an argument with her supervisor. An electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation, and the patient was treated for ST-segment elevation MI. A left ventriculogram showed severe apical hypokinesis as well as anterolateral akinesis with a normal anterobasal segment, which led to the diagnosis of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. For patients with complications such as congestive heart failure, standard supportive care for takotsubo cardiomyopathy may include diuretics and vasodilators. In general, vasopressors and inotropes should be avoided because of the association of this syndrome with massive catecholamine release. CONCLUSION: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy may be an alternative diagnosis to ACS for emotionally and physically stressed patients with transient-apical akinesis or dyskinesis of the LV in the absence of CAD. Because the exact pathophysiology has not been fully elucidated, the optimal management continues to evolve.

PMID: 19265184 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Posaconazole: a new oral antifungal agent with an expanded spectrum of activity.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2009 Feb 1;66(3):225-36

Authors: Morris MI

PURPOSE: The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, spectrum of activity and resistance, clinical utility, adverse effects, dosage and administration, and recommended monitoring of posaconazole are reviewed. SUMMARY: Posaconazole is a member of the azole class of antifungals recently approved for the prophylaxis and treatment of invasive fungal infections. Posaconazole has a large volume of distribution and distributes well into tissues. Posaconazole-induced fungal killing is optimal when peak drug concentrations achieved are 2-10 times the organism’s minimum inhibitory concentration. Posaconazole demonstrates fungistatic activity against most species of Candida, Cryptococcus, and Trichosporon. In a direct comparison, posaconazole appeared 2-4 times more active than itraconazole against most pathogenic yeast species. Posaconazole also showed activity against Candida and Aspergillus isolates resistant to the other azoles and amphotericin B. Posaconazole has superior activity to the other azoles against Zygomycetes isolates. It has demonstrated activity equal or superior to other antifungal agents against almost all varieties of yeast and mold. The most common treatment-related adverse events associated with posaconazole are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, hypokalemia, thrombocytopenia, and abnormal liver function test values. Significant drug interactions include cimetidine, rifabutin, and phenytoin, for which concomitant use should be avoided, as well as cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and midazolam, for which dosage reductions are recommended. CONCLUSION: Posaconazole is an oral anti-fungal agent with a broader spectrum of activity and better clinical efficacy than other available antifungals. It is less nephrotoxic than the polyenes and probably less likely to be involved in drug-drug interactions than the mold-active azoles.

PMID: 19179636 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Effectiveness of a medication discharge plan for transitions of care from hospital to outpatient settings.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2008 Aug 1;65(15):1451-7

Authors: Lalonde L, Lampron AM, Vanier MC, Levasseur P, Khaddag R, Chaar N

PURPOSE: The effect of a medication discharge plan (MDP) on the rate of medication discrepancies between hospital and outpatient settings was evaluated. METHODS: In a pragmatic, open, randomized, controlled trial, MDPs were completed for all patients before discharge from the hospital. Patients were then assigned to either an MDP group, for whom MDPs were sent to community pharmacies and treating physicians, or a usual care group, for whom an MDP was not sent. Discrepancies between MDPs and community pharmacy dispensing records and medication use reported by patients during a telephone interview were documented. The percentage of patients with discrepancies and the mean percentage of medications with discrepancies were compared between the two groups. The clinical severity of discrepancies was blindly evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients agreed to participate in the study. The percentage of patients with at least one discrepancy was high and similar in both groups when MDPs were compared with pharmacy dispensing records and patient self-reports. Comparison of MDPs to pharmacy dispensing records revealed discrepancies for 13-15% of medications; more than a third were clinically significant. Comparison of MDPs to patient self-reports revealed discrepancies for 10-12% of medications; 48% were clinically significant. No significant differences were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The rate of medication discrepancies was not decreased in patients whose MDP was provided to their community pharmacy and physician at the time of hospital discharge compared with the rate in patients who received usual care.

PMID: 18653816 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Patient satisfaction and costs associated with insulin administered by pen device or syringe during hospitalization.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2008 Jul 15;65(14):1347-57

Authors: Davis EM, Christensen CM, Nystrom KK, Foral PA, Destache C

PURPOSE: Patient satisfaction, safety and efficacy outcomes, and cost savings with insulin pens versus conventional insulin delivery via vials and syringes in hospitalized patients with diabetes were compared. METHODS: Patients were recruited from two general medical-surgical units from July 2005 to May 2006. Patients completed a survey regarding satisfaction with the method in which insulin was administered before discharge. Patients completed a telephone survey approximately four weeks after discharge to determine home insulin use. Cost savings were determined using the average wholesale price of insulin vials and syringes, pens, and pen needles. RESULTS: A total of 94 patients were randomized to receive insulin administered via pen devices (n = 49) or using conventional vials and syringes (n = 45). Significantly more subjects in the pen group prepared or self-injected at least one dose of insulin during hospitalization, wanted to continue taking insulin at home using the method used during hospitalization, and would recommend their method of insulin administration used during hospitalization to other patients with diabetes compared with the vial and syringe group (p < 0.05). A cost saving of $36 per patient was projected if only insulin pens were dispensed during the entire hospital stay compared to insulin vials and syringes (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased patient satisfaction and continuation of the method of insulin administration used in the hospital at home were reported by patients who received insulin pens compared with patients who received conventional vials and syringes during hospitalization. A substantial cost saving was projected for patients in the insulin pen group if insulin pens had been dispensed during their entire hospital stay.

PMID: 18593681 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Implementation of standard order sets for patient-controlled analgesia.

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2008 Jun 15;65(12):1184-91

Authors: Weber LM, Ghafoor VL, Phelps P

PURPOSE: The implementation of standard order sets for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is described. SUMMARY: A review of naloxone usage at the University of Minnesota Medical Center (UMMC) from January to June 2004 found that 8% of patients receiving PCA had severe respiratory depression. A subanalysis of each event found that 85% of these patients had never before received opioid therapy. To reduce the risk of respiratory depression with PCA, separate standard order sets were developed for patients new to or tolerant of opioid therapy. A major component of both order sets was the standardization of a 10-minute lockout interval between each PCA dose. Implementation of the new PCA order sets raised concerns among health care professionals at UMMC that medication safety may be improved at the cost of increased pain. After implementation of the order sets, prescriber compliance, pharmacist interventions, the frequency of adverse effects, and patients' pain management were evaluated. After implementation of standard order sets for patients receiving PCA, 57% of patients' pain was documented as being controlled, and the orders for 93% of patients were in compliance with the recommended dosage interval of > or =10 minutes. There were no reports of oversedation or respiratory depression requiring reversal with naloxone. CONCLUSION: The implementation of standard order sets for PCA resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of cases of severe respiratory depression and increased use of the order set for patients new to opioid therapy. Changing the order sets to improve medication safety did not appear to negatively affect patients' satisfaction with pain management.

PMID: 18541691 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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