Impact of an antiretroviral stewardship strategy on medication error rates.

Purpose: The impact of an antiretroviral stewardship strategy on medication error rates was evaluated.

Methods: This single-center, retrospective, comparative cohort study included patients at least 18 years of age infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who were receiving antiretrovirals and admitted to the hospital. A multicomponent approach was developed and implemented and included modifications to the order-entry and verification system, pharmacist education, and a pharmacist-led antiretroviral therapy checklist.

Clinical dilemmas and a review of strategies to manage drug shortages.

Objective: The objectives of this article are to review the clinical implications of drug shortages highlighting patient safety, sedation, and oncology and introduce an expanded phase approach for the management of drug shortages.

Data Sources: Literature retrieval was accessed through a PubMed search of English-language sources from January 1990 through April 2012 using the medical subject heading pharmaceutical preparations/supply and distribution and the general search term drug shortages.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: All original prospective and retrospective studies, peer-reviewed guidelines, consensus statements, and review articles were evaluated for inclusion.