Impact of Infectious Diseases Consultation in Patients With Candidemia at a Multisite Health Care System With Established Antimicrobial Stewardship and Telemedicine Services.

Background: Infectious diseases consultation improves outcomes in patients with candidemia, although some facilities lack access to consultation. This multisite health care system study compared in-hospital mortality in patients with candidemia across 3 groups-those who received on-site consultation, telemedicine consultation, or no consultation. All patients were reviewed by an antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist.

New Drugs Approved in 2022.

In 2022, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 37 novel drugs. Twenty-four of the 37 (65%) novel drug approvals were reviewed and approved through an expedited review pathway and 20 of the 37 (54%) were approved for treatment of a rare disease. This review includes a summary of the novel drugs approved by the FDA in 2022.

Tricyclic Antidepressant Overdose Manikin Simulation in Student Pharmacists.

Pharmacists must be knowledgeable of medication use within the scope of both typical dosing and atypical dosing. In the United States, antidepressants are the fourth most common substance in overdose situations and are ranked first for serious exposures per year. The purpose of this study is to design, implement, and assess the efficacy of an antidepressant overdose simulation using a high-fidelity manikin.

Beyond the Classroom: An Observational Study to Assess Student Pharmacists' Confidence and Perception of a High-Fidelity Manikin Chemotherapy Infusion Reaction Simulation.

To assess the impact of a high-fidelity manikin chemotherapy infusion simulation on student pharmacists' confidence in applying clinical knowledge and perception of oncology pharmacy practice. One cohort of third professional year student pharmacists completed a high-fidelity manikin simulation during the last week of their didactic training. The 10-minute manikin experience simulated an acute paclitaxel infusion reaction, requiring students to apply their knowledge on how to provide patient care during a chemotherapy-induced infusion reaction.

Optimization of Antibiotic Selection in the Emergency Department for Adult Skin and Soft Tissue Infections.

Emergency department (ED) order sets that include skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) stratification and antimicrobial selection criteria may improve clinical outcomes and appropriateness of initial antibiotic selection. The purpose of this study was to optimize and evaluate antimicrobial prescribing for SSTI in the ED by implementing an institution specific Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guideline directed computerized provider order entry (CPOE) order set. The primary outcome was the rate of appropriate antibiotic prescribing for SSTI in the ED before and after order set revision.

New Drugs Approved in 2021.

In 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 50 novel drugs. Thirty-seven of the 50 (74%) novel drug approvals were reviewed and approved through an expedited review pathway, and 26 of the 50 (52%) were approved for treatment of a rare disease. This review includes a summary of the novel drugs approved by the FDA in 2021.

New Drugs Approved in 2020.

In 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration approved 53 novel drugs. Thirty-six of the 53 (68%) drugs were reviewed and approved through an expedited review pathway, and 31 of the 53 (58%) were approved for treatment of a rare disease. This review includes a summary of the novel drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2020.

Albumin Utilization in Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis.

Background: Albumin has been shown to decrease the incidence of mortality and acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Albumin administration in SBP is recommended within 6 hours of diagnosis and for reserved use in high-risk patients with the following baseline laboratory tests: serum creatinine >1 mg/dL, blood urea nitrogen >30 mg/dL or total bilirubin >4 mg/dL.

Objective: We aimed to assess the impact of an albumin order set restricted to high-risk SBP.

Factors Influencing Prescribers' Decision for Extending Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in the Medical Patient Population following Hospitalization.

 Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis during hospitalization has clearly defined metrics for risk stratification and practice policy employed to ensure processes of adherence. However, acceptance for practice or even the level and timeline of risk is less clear during the immediate time after hospitalization. With emerging new oral anticoagulant agents, data are available that may influence prescribing in the outpatient setting following hospitalization.

Ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone precipitate formation in the ear canal of a paediatric patient.

This case report describes a paediatric patient diagnosed with otitis externa and treated with topical ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone. The patient completed the course of therapy and then developed precipitate formation from the pharmacological treatment. Laboratory testing of the precipitate confirmed the presence of a large quantity of ciprofloxacin.

New Drugs Approved in 2019.

In 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 48 novel drugs. Thirty of the 48 (62.5%) novel drug approvals were reviewed and approved through an expedited review pathway while 20 of the 48 (41.

Evaluation of Occipital Nerve Blocks for Acute Pain Relief of Migraines.

Migraines are a debilitating neurological disease affecting as many as 1 of 6 adults in the United States. Occipital nerve block, consisting of a local anesthetic and/or corticosteroid, has shown to be an effective treatment for the management of migraines. Occipital nerve block has been reported to reduce migraine pain scores, frequency, and duration.

Intravenous unfractionated heparin dosing in obese patients using anti-Xa levels.

There is limited guidance on intravenous dosing of unfractionated heparin in obese patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of a standard unfractionated heparin (UFH) protocol in obese patients based on total body weight (TBW) or adjusted body weight (ABW) to reach two consecutive therapeutic anti-Xa levels. This was a retrospective observational cohort study conducted in a large academic medical center.

New Drug Approvals in 2018 - Another Record Year!

In 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration approved 59 novel drugs. This all-time record was due primarily to the expedited review pathways; 43 of the 59 (73%) novel drug approvals were designated in an expedited review pathway, and 34 of the 59 (58%) were approved for treatment of rare diseases. A review of these novel drugs is summarized.

Influenza-induced rhabdomyolysis.

Rhabdomyolysis is characterised by muscle breakdown with release of damaging proteins that can have devastating consequences. Acute influenza infection is being increasingly recognised as an underlying aetiology. We report an unusual case of severe rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure due to influenza A infection that improved with high-dose oseltamivir and intravenous fluids.

Linezolid-associated serotonin toxicity after escitalopram discontinuation: concomitant drug considerations.

We report a case of a hospitalised patient who developed probable serotonin toxicity shortly after the initiation of linezolid in whom the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram had been recently discontinued. On day 2 of linezolid administration, the patient reported severe anxiety and was observed to have full body jerking and twitching motions without mental status change. Notably, the patient was concomitantly receiving the antidepressant, trazodone and the benzodiazepine, clonazepam possibly affecting the severity and manifestations of serotonin toxicity.

2017 Is Banner Year for Drug Approvals by the Food and Drug Administration.

In 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration approved 46 novel drugs, and 29 drugs received newly approved indications. This record setting year was due in part to the new expedited review pathways. A review of these drugs is summarized.

Continuous Lidocaine Infusion as Adjunctive Analgesia in Intensive Care Unit Patients.

Despite a paucity of data, the role of intravenous lidocaine (IVLI) as adjunctive analgesia in the intensive care unit (ICU) seems promising due to a low potential to contribute to respiratory depression. A retrospective chart review was conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of IVLI for the treatment of pain in ICU patients with varying degrees of organ dysfunction from March 2014 to March 2016. The primary outcomes included the time to a ≥20% reduction in pain scores after the initiation of IVLI and the difference in opioid requirements as well as pain scores prior to and during IVLI therapy.