Break time: Examining pharmacy residency application deadlines and the potential impact of a proposed timeline shift.

Introduction: Many pharmacy residency programs set their application deadlines around the first of the calendar year, only weeks following the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) meeting in mid-December. This contributes to a condensed timeframe for applicants and reference writers to complete and submit materials over the winter holidays. This study examined pharmacy residency program application deadlines and respective timing of application and reference letter submissions.

Evaluation of Renal Function Estimation Formulas Specific to Dynamic Renal Function for Drug Dosing in Critically Ill Patients.

Objectives: The study compared estimated creatinine clearance (eCrCl) between the Cockcroft-Gault (CG) equation and the Jelliffe, Chiou, and Brater equations designed for estimation in dynamic renal function and resulting antimicrobial dosing concordance of five antimicrobials (cefepime, meropenem, piperacillin/tazobactam, vancomycin, and fluconazole) commonly used in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: Electronic medical records were used to identify the target patient population. Analysis of variance tests with repeated measures were performed to compare eCrCl.

Impact of Body Mass Index and Bacterial Resistance in Osteomyelitis after Antibiotic Prophylaxis of Open Lower-Extremity Fractures.

Background: We investigated the clinical effectiveness of antimicrobial prophylaxis in lower-extremity open fractures following the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Guidelines.

Methods: This observational, retrospective, single-center study included adults with lower-extremity open fractures of the ankle, tibia, fibula, or femur. The primary endpoint was the incidence of osteomyelitis within 12 months of the fracture.

Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) is a societal burden due to its high prevalence, frequent admissions for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), and the economic impact of direct and indirect costs associated with HF and ADHF. Common etiologies of ADHF include medication and diet noncompliance, arrhythmias, deterioration in renal function, poorly controlled hypertension, myocardial infarction, and infections. Appropriate medical management of ADHF in patients is guided by the identification of signs and symptoms of fluid overload or low cardiac output and utilization of evidence-based practices.

Long-term pharmacotherapy considerations in the bariatric surgery patient.

Purpose: Pharmacists' role in optimizing long-term pharmacotherapy for bariatric surgery patients is detailed.

Summary: Bariatric surgery patients provide a difficult challenge in terms of many pharmacotherapy issues, especially in the chronic care setting, where data on long-term effects of bariatric surgery are limited. The most common procedures are Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), adjustable gastric banding, and sleeve gastrectomy.

Perioperative management of bariatric surgery patients.

Purpose: The perioperative management of bariatric surgery patients is described.

Summary: Obesity and anatomical changes create unique challenges for clinicians when caring for bariatric surgery patients. Common bariatric surgery procedures performed include Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric banding.

Fatal clindamycin-induced drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome.

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a rare, complex, idiosyncratic drug reaction that can be fatal. Systemic symptoms include lymphadenopathy, hepatic failure, and possibly renal failure. The syndrome has been primarily associated with anticonvulsants, whereas antimicrobials are less commonly associated.