Personality: A potentially untapped resource in the selection of postgraduate pharmacy residents.

Purpose: This study assessed whether personality testing of postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) pharmacy residency applicants was feasible and predicted important selection outcomes, including interview offers.

Methods: Applicants to the PGY1 pharmacy residency program at a large academic medical center were invited to complete a 50-item online personality test based on the 5-factor model (ie, the "Big Five"). Scores were sealed until after matching, at which point they were compared to screening, interview, and ranking and match outcomes.

Continuation of Opioid Therapy at Transitions of Care in Critically Ill Patients.

Purpose: Opioids are one of the high-risk medication classes that are administered to critically ill patients during their intensive care unit (ICU) stay. However, little attention has been given to inpatient opioid prescribing practices, especially in critically ill patients. The purpose of our study was to characterize opioid prescribing practices across 2 transitions of care during an inpatient hospital stay: medical ICU (MICU)/intermediate care unit (IMC) to floor and floor to hospital discharge and identify potential patient-specific factors that impact opioid continuation.

Vancomycin Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients with Sepsis or Septic Shock.

Study Objectives: Obese patients with sepsis or septic shock may have altered vancomycin pharmacokinetics compared with the general population that may result in improper dosing or inadequate drug concentrations. The objective of this study was to characterize vancomycin pharmacokinetics in obese patients with sepsis or septic shock, and to develop a novel pharmacokinetic dosing model based on pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic target requirements.

Design: Prospective observational pharmacokinetic study.

Impact of an Antipsychotic Discontinuation Bundle During Transitions of Care in Critically Ill Patients.

Introduction:: Delirium affects a large proportion of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Antipsychotics have become frequently used agents for the treatment of delirium; however, they are often continued at transitions of care. This has potential negative short- and long-term health consequences that are preventable.

Hospital delirium treatment: Continuation of antipsychotic therapy from the intensive care unit to discharge.

Purpose: The rate of continuation of antipsychotics for the management of delirium during hospital transitions of care in a tertiary care medical center was investigated.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for adult patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) between June 1, 2011, and May 31, 2012, who were initiated on antipsychotic therapy at least 24 hours before transfer out of the MICU. The primary outcome evaluated was the percentage of patients initiated on an antipsychotic in the MICU who were continued on therapy after transfer to a medical ward.

Risk of venous thromboembolism in patients with chronic liver disease and the utility of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis.

Objective: To review the current literature on the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD).

Data Sources: Literature was accessed through MEDLINE/PubMed (1996-December 2011) using the search terms liver disease, cirrhosis, venous thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: Relevant observational and population-based studies were included to present background information.

Topiramate for binge-eating disorder associated with obesity.

Objective: To review the use of topiramate for the treatment of binge-eating disorder (BED) associated with obesity.

Data Sources: MEDLINE (1966-July 2006) and the Cochrane Database (2006, issue 3) were used to conduct an English-language literature search. Key search terms included eating disorder, binge-eating, and topiramate.