Impact of pharmacist-led microbiology result follow-up post-discharge for patients undergoing inpatient infectious diseases consultation.

Objective: The primary objective was to determine the rate of clinical actions taken post-discharge on updated microbiology results by an ID pharmacist-led team. Secondary objectives were to describe the microbiology results requiring intervention, characterize interventions by type and severity, and determine time from result to clinical review.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

A review of evidence, antimicrobial stability, and feasibility considerations for OPAT continuous infusion.

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) has been widely used in clinical practice for many decades because of its associated cost savings, reductions in inpatient hospital days, and decreases in hospital-associated infections. Despite this long history, evolving practice patterns and new drug delivery devices continue to present challenges as well as opportunities for clinicians when designing appropriate outpatient antimicrobial regimens. One such change is the increasing use of extended and continuous infusion (CI) of antimicrobials to optimize the achievement of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic targets.

[Treatment quality in geriatric patients with diabetes mellitus in various home environments].

Objective: The goal of the present study was to systematically assess treatment quality, perceptions, and cognitive function of elderly patients with diabetes admitted to an acute geriatric hospital from different home environments (nursing home residents, home care, assisted living, family caregivers, self-sufficient).

Methods: Quality of diabetes treatment, metabolic control (HbA(1c)), nutrition, treatment satisfaction, cognition, disability, and level of dependency were assessed in 128 patients with diabetes.

Results: Out of 128 patients, 87 patients (68%) showed an HbA1c≤8% according to the guidelines for aging people with diabetes of the German Diabetes Association (DDG).

The SF-12 as a population health measure: an exploratory examination of potential for application.

Objective: To describe the relationships among functional health status measures (SF-12 physical and mental components summary scores), traditional measures of community health status, and social determinants of health among respondents to community health status surveys conducted in nine different communities.

Data Sources/study Setting: Data collected as part of comprehensive community health status assessments conducted in each of nine communities (in seven states) between 1992 and 1997. The purpose of each assessment was to gather data to plan and evaluate population health improvement initiatives.