Comparison of 4-factor fixed dose versus 4-factor weight-based dose prothrombin complex concentrate for emergent warfarin reversal: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy, safety, time to INR reversal, total volume of 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) administered of fixed-dose versus weight-based dosing strategies in patients requiring urgent warfarin reversal, with specific focus on clinical outcomes such as hemostatic efficacy, thromboembolic events, and mortality rates.

Methods: A comprehensive systematic review was conducted using the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases from inception through October 2023. We searched for randomized clinical trials or observational studies that compared efficacy or safety outcomes of fixed-dose vs.

Comparison of Three-Bag Method Acetylcysteine Versus Two-Bag Method Acetylcysteine for the Treatment of Acetaminophen Toxicity: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Acetaminophen is generally considered safe when used according to the recommended guidelines. Consumption in excessive doses can lead to severe liver damage and, in critical cases, may even result in death. To reduce the effects of acetaminophen overdose, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been established as the preferred intervention to prevent liver damage.

Prescribing Errors in an Ambulatory Care Setting: Mitigating Risks in Outpatient Medication Orders, Cross-Sectional Review.

Introduction: Prescribing errors (PEs) are the most common type of medication error, which may occur by prescribing the wrong medication, improper dose, dosage, and/or even prescribing a drug to the wrong patient. The present study aims to compile PEs that were generated in an ambulatory care setting at a tertiary-care hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional review was conducted for all reported PEs in ambulatory care clinics for 3 years.

Enhancing Gentamicin Antibacterial Activity by Co-Encapsulation with Thymoquinone in Liposomal Formulation.

Background And Purpose: Gentamicin (GEN) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that cannot be prescribed freely because of its toxicity. Thymoquinone (THQ), a phytochemical, has antibacterial, antioxidant, and toxicity-reducing properties. However, its hydrophobicity and light sensitivity make it challenging to utilize.

Evaluation of Apixaban standard dosing in underweight patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Recent guidelines recommend using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) as first-line agents in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Research is currently investigating the use of Apixaban in underweight patients, with some results suggesting altered pharmacokinetics, decreased drug absorption, and potential overdosing in this population. This study examined the effectiveness and safety of standard Apixaban dosing in adult patients with atrial NVAF weighing less than 50 kg.

Chitosan-Coated Azithromycin/Ciprofloxacin-Loaded Polycaprolactone Nanoparticles: A Characterization and Potency Study.

Purpose: Antimicrobial resistance is a major health hazard worldwide. Combining azithromycin (AZ) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) in one drug delivery system was proposed to boost their antibacterial activity and overcome resistance. This study aims to improve azithromycin and ciprofloxacin activity by co-encapsulating them inside chitosan-coated polymeric nanoparticles and evaluating their antibacterial activity.

Unveiling medication errors in liver transplant patients towards enhancing the imperative patient safety.

Background: Medication errors (MEs) are a significant healthcare problem that can harm patients and increase healthcare expenses. Being immunocompromised, liver-transplant patients are at high risk for complications if MEs inflict harmful or damaging effects. The present study reviewed and analyzed all MEs reported in Liver Transplant Patients.

Revolutionizing healthcare: the role of artificial intelligence in clinical practice.

Introduction: Healthcare systems are complex and challenging for all stakeholders, but artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed various fields, including healthcare, with the potential to improve patient care and quality of life. Rapid AI advancements can revolutionize healthcare by integrating it into clinical practice. Reporting AI's role in clinical practice is crucial for successful implementation by equipping healthcare providers with essential knowledge and tools.

The emergent role of artificial intelligence, natural learning processing, and large language models in higher education and research.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized various domains, including education and research. Natural language processing (NLP) techniques and large language models (LLMs) such as GPT-4 and BARD have significantly advanced our comprehension and application of AI in these fields. This paper provides an in-depth introduction to AI, NLP, and LLMs, discussing their potential impact on education and research.

Hyponatremia management among patients admitted to tertiary hospital: A retrospective evaluation.

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the adherence to the guidelines in patients presenting with hyponatremia defined as a sodium (Na) level ⩽120 mEq/L, treated with 3% hypertonic saline or normal saline. The comparison included 3% hypertonic saline use, safe serum sodium increases within 24 and 48 h, frequency of hyponatremia-related complications, and length of stay.

Methods: This retrospective observational study enrolled 122 patients with serum sodium ⩽120 mEq/L admitted to the Internal Medicine Department, King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard-Health Affairs (NGHA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 2016 to December 2017.

Evaluation of the Potential of National Sharing of a Unified Progress Test Among Colleges of Pharmacy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Background: With the expansion in pharmacy education in Saudi Arabia, there is a pressing need to maintain quality assurance in pharmacy programs using several tools. The progress test is a formative assessment tool that can serve to provide information to all stakeholders. This study evaluated the results of a unified progress test that was shared among 15 colleges of pharmacy.

The Feasibility of Conducting Safe Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs) During the COVID-19 Era.

Purpose: Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is an effective tool for learners' assessment that require hands-on performance. During the COVID-era, many schools decided to minimize all forms of in-person communication between faculty members and students to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission. We aimed to describe our experience in conducting physical OSCEs during the COVID-19 era.

Clinical pharmacy definition, required education, training and practice in Saudi Arabia: A position statement by the Saudi society of clinical pharmacy.

The Saudi Society of Clinical Pharmacy (SSCP) is a scientific and professional society in the field of clinical pharmacy that operates under the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties governance. The SSCP believes that there is a need to define and describe many aspects related to the clinical pharmacy profession in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, there is an increasing demand for promoting the concept of clinical pharmacy and developing a consensus regarding the scope of practice and clinical pharmacist's required postgraduate education and training in Saudi Arabia.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with heart failure admitted to the intensive care unit with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A multicenter cohort study.

Background: Patients with underlying heart failure (HF) in the setting of COVID-19 who require admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) might present with a unique set of challenges. This study aims to extensively describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients with HF who were admitted to ICU with COVID-19.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective analysis for all adult patients with HF and an objectively confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 who were admitted to ICUs between March 1 and August 31, 2020, in Saudi Arabia.

Compliance with surgical prophylaxis guidelines in liver and kidney transplantations.

Background Patients undergoing solid organ transplantations are at a high risk of surgical site infections. Complying with surgical prophylaxis guidelines minimize post-operative infection rate. Objectives The study aimed to evaluate the compliance with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists surgical prophylaxis guidelines related to antibiotic selection, dosing, administration time, and duration of surgical prophylaxis in liver and kidney transplantations.

Attitude and Perception of Physicians and Nurses Toward the Role of Clinical Pharmacists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study.

Clinical pharmacists are responsible for guiding pharmacotherapy and ensuring medication safety along with other health-care providers. This study highlighted barriers that physicians and nurses encounter when interacting with clinical pharmacists. Twenty-seven physicians and nurses were randomly invited to participate in focus-group discussions.

Pregnant women's use and attitude toward herbal, vitamin, and mineral supplements in an academic tertiary care center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Herbal medicine has been widely utilized by pregnant women despite the limited available evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of that practice. The current available studies, from different countries, estimated that the use of herbal medicine during pregnancy range from 7% up to 96%. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence, attitude, source of information, and reasoning behind the use of herbal medicine among pregnant women in Saudia Arabia.

Clinical and virological outcomes of entecavir therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B: A real life experience.

Background: Entecavir (ETV) is a nucleoside analogue (NA) that is effective for treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) due to its low resistance rates and potent antiviral effects. We aimed to evaluate the clinical, biochemical and virological response to ETV in patients without a prior use of nucleos(t)ide (NA-naïve) vs. those who failed prior NA use (NA-experienced) in the treatment of CHB.

Comparison of the application of treatment Panel III and American College of Cardiology/American heart Association guidelines for blood cholesterol treatment in Saudi Arabia.

Background: One of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases is hyperlipidemia. The primary aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of individuals between 40-75 years old that would be eligible for statin therapy based on ACC/AHA guideline as compared to ATP-III guideline in a population of patients in Saudi Arabia. We also intended to extrapolate the results to the entire Saudi population, and estimate the cost implications of the ACC/AHA treatment guideline.

The impact of immunosuppressant therapy on the recurrence of hepatitis C post-liver transplantation.

The use of immunosuppressants to reduce the likelihood of acute graft rejections is a cornerstone in the post-transplantation management of recipients. However, these agents were always associated with increased risk of deleterious effects such as infections vulnerability and comorbidities. The objective of this review is to discuss the impact of different immunosuppression strategies used in liver transplant recipients (LTRs) on the recurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections after transplantation.

Pharmacokinetics-Based Adjusted Versus Standard Dose of Ribavirin Does Not Improve Virologic Response Rates in Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 4 Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Optimal doses of Ribavirin (RBV) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment are not known. To assess the safety and efficacy of PegIFNalfa-2a in combination with an adjusted (ADJ) RBV dose based on early pharmacokinetics versus a fixed standard (STD) dose of RBV in chronic HCV genotype (GT) 4-naive patients in a randomized trial. One hundred eighty-one patients were randomized.

Exploring Factors Associated with Depression and Anxiety among Hospitalized Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Objectives: The aims of the current study were to determine the prevalence and severity of anxiety and depression, and to explore associated factors among hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Subjects And Methods: All patients with type 2 diabetes (160 patients) who were admitted to the Internal Medicine Wards of the King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January to August 2015 were asked to participate, and 158 patients agreed to do so. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of 2 parts was used.

Assessment of patient-controlled analgesia versus intermittent opioid therapy to manage sickle-cell disease vaso-occlusive crisis in adult patients.

Background: Vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is one of the acute complications of sickle-cell disease (SCD). Treatment mainly relies on hydration and pain control by analgesics. The specific aim of this study was to assess potential health outcomes within the first 72 h of admission between intermittent and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) by opioids among VOC patients.

Awareness of venous thromboembolism and thromboprophylaxis among hospitalized patients: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Patient awareness of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and thromboprophylaxis is essential for their safety. In this study, we evaluated patients' awareness of VTE and their perceptions of thromboprophylaxis.

Methods: We administered a cross-sectional survey to patients hospitalized at the King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.