The divided dose approach to perioperative buprenorphine -management in patients with opioid use disorder.

There is limited evidence and no clear consensus suggesting best practices for perioperative buprenorphine management in patients with opioid use disorder. As such, we aimed to develop a standardized perioperative management approach with the goals of (1) optimizing perioperative analgesia, (2) minimizing relapse risk, (3) setting expectations for patients and clinicians, (4) achieving prescribing consistency and mitigating risk among clinicians not familiar with perioperative buprenorphine management, and (5) maintaining continuity throughout care transitions. An interprofessional expert focus group convened to develop a consensus algorithm based upon buprenorphine's unique pharmacologic features and published perioperative management recommendations.

Rethinking Docusate's Role in Opioid-Induced Constipation: A Critical Analysis of the Evidence.

Opioid induced constipation (OIC) is a predictable and preventable adverse effect of opioid use. Docusate is often utilized for OIC prophylaxis and treatment because of its low cost, easy accessibility and tolerability. However, the costs of docusate use may not outweigh the benefits given limited reported efficacy.

Increasing Hospital Pharmacist Clinical Competence in Intensive Pharmacotherapeutics Using a Novel Pharmacist Clinical Educational Program.

Background: Intensive pharmacotherapeutics (IP) is the application of multiple evidence-based practices applied at a patient-specific level, creating the overall best treatment plan in medically complex patients. To practice at this level, a high level of clinical knowledge and competency is paramount.

Objective: The goal of the pharmacist clinical educational program was to develop an engaging, challenging, and interactive program, which was concise but intense, to improve pharmacists' clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills.