Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Part 1: Disease State Review.

In 2018, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was estimated to affect 16.4 million people, or 6.6% of adults in the United States alone.

A syndrome-based approach to antimicrobial stewardship in an Arizona skilled nursing facility-Moving the needle through quality improvement.

In 2015, an Arizona skilled nursing facility implemented an antibiotic stewardship protocol targeting unnecessary prescribing for suspect urinary tract infection. The protocol emphasized auditing of culturing and prescribing practices, feedback to prescribers, engagement of clinical staff, and educational in-services. Between Quarter 4 of 2014 (baseline) and Quarter 1 of 2017, urine culturing, days of antibiotic therapy for suspect urinary tract infection, and Clostridiodes difficile infections per 1,000 resident-days decreased by >50% with no urosepsis events.

Integration of mentored self-directed learning (MSDL) through both group and individual presentations in an accelerated modified block program.

Background And Purpose: Project aim was to examine the feasibility and logistics of mentored self-directed learning (MSDL) through group and individual presentations in an accelerated modified block curriculum. Perspectives of students and faculty members toward the incorporation of MSDL were also explored.

Educational Activity And Setting: During a two-week pharmacotherapy block, students made group presentations requiring two elements: a case presentation on curricular content (Element-1) and an inclusion of "novel" information students did not receive didactically (Element-2).

Depression in the older adult: What should be considered?

Introduction: The updated American Geriatrics Society (AGS) 2015 Beers Criteria include the following antidepressant classes as potentially inappropriate medications to be used with caution in older adults: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and mirtazapine.

Methods: A search of the medical literature using PubMed and references included in the AGS 2015 Beers Criteria.

Results: The treatment of depression in the older adult can additionally be complicated by comorbid conditions, as 80% of older adults have at least 1 comorbid condition and 50% have at least 2.

Antimicrobial Therapy in Long-Term Care: Controversy, Colonization, and Criteria.

Objective: To empower pharmacists to improve the outcomes of residents in long-term care facilities with urinary tract (UTIs) and skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs).

Data Sources: Relevant articles published since 1990 to date were found via PubMed regarding: long-term care, urinary tract infection, skin and soft-tissue infection, antimicrobials, multi-drug-resistant organisms, antimicrobial resistance, and dementia. Two additional Web sites were included for pharmacists' resources.