Risk Factors Associated With Acute Kidney Injury in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Treated With Hypertonic Saline: A Retrospective Study.

Hypertonic saline (HTS) is essential pharmacologic treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Previous studies associate HTS with acute kidney injury (AKI), however evidence in TBIs is limited. This study examines factors associated with AKI in patients requiring HTS for TBI.

Increasing the Rate of Venous Thromboembolism Chemoprophylaxis Administration Using the Electronic Medical Record.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a leading cause of preventable harm among hospitalized patients. Pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis reduces the rate of in-hospital VTE by 60%, but medication administration is often missed for various reasons. Electronic medical record (EMR) prompts may be a useful tool to decrease withholding of critical VTE chemoprophylaxis medications.

Analysis of Intravenous Insulin Dosing Requirements for Treatment of Severe Hypertriglyceridemia.

Insulin infusion therapy is commonly utilized for treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia, however, data supporting a standardized dosing approach is lacking. This study aimed to determine the average initial insulin dose utilized for treatment of hypertriglyceridemia and the associated reduction in serum triglycerides. This single-center, retrospective, descriptive analysis conducted at an academic medical center included adult hospitalized patients with serum triglyceride levels greater than 1000 mg/dL receiving treatment with an intravenous insulin infusion between November 2017 and August 2020.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Swab Is Insufficient to Withhold Empiric Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia Coverage in a Trauma Population.

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization is a predictor of MRSA pneumonia in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Negative nasal swabs have shown up to a 97% negative predictive value for MRSA pneumonia in nontrauma populations, though little investigation has been pursued in trauma patients.

Materials And Methods: All trauma patients admitted to the ICU from April 2018 to February 2019 were screened for MRSA colonization by nasal swab.

Adjusting vasopressin availability and formulation: A cost-savings initiative.

Purpose: The increase in vasopressin price has required many healthcare systems to consider cost-saving strategies. To combat rising medication costs, our institution changed formulations from 50 units/250 mL to 20 units/100 mL and removed vasopressin from automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs).

Methods: This retrospective review occurred at a 545-bed academic medical center with 97 adult intensive care unit beds.

A Systematic Review of Vancomycin Dosing and Monitoring in Burn Patients.

Vancomycin pharmacokinetics are significantly altered following burn injury, requiring a higher total daily dose to achieve adequate serum concentrations. Wide interpatient variability necessitates close, frequent monitoring of serum concentrations for efficacy and safety. The aim of this study is to systematically evaluate published data regarding vancomycin pharmacokinetic alterations in burn patients, to determine whether evidence-based recommendations for dosing and monitoring can be formulated, and to identify future research opportunities.