Effectiveness and Safety of Twice Daily Versus Thrice Daily Subcutaneous Unfractionated Heparin for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis at a Tertiary Medical Center.

Background: The direct comparison of twice daily (BID) and thrice daily (TID) dosing of subcutaneous low dose unfractionated heparin (LDUH) for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in a mixed inpatient population is not well-studied.

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of BID compared to TID dosing of LDUH for prevention of VTE.

Methods: Retrospective, single-center analysis of patients who received LDUH for VTE prophylaxis between July and September 2015.

Bispectral Index for Titrating Sedation in ARDS Patients During Neuromuscular Blockade.

Background: Despite a lack of data from intensive care patients, bispectral index monitors are often used to measure the depth of sedation for critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who require continuous neuromuscular blocking agents.

Objective: To evaluate differences in the effectiveness and safety of monitoring sedation by using bispectral index or traditional methods in patients with ARDS who are receiving continuous neuromuscular blocking agents.

Methods: This noninterventional, single-center, retrospective cohort study included adult patients with ARDS who are receiving a neuromuscular blocking agent.

Effectiveness of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients with liver disease.

Background: Patients with liver disease are concomitantly at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding events due to changes in the balance of pro- and anti-hemostatic substances. As such, recommendations for the use of pharmacological VTE prophylaxis are lacking. Recent studies have found no difference in rates of VTE in those receiving and not receiving pharmacological VTE prophylaxis, though most studies have been small.

Impact of a quality-assessment dashboard on the comprehensive review of pharmacist performance.

Purpose: The impact of a quality-assessment dashboard and individualized pharmacist performance feedback on the adherence of order verification was evaluated.

Methods: A before-and-after study was conducted at a 1,440-bed academic medical center. was defined as orders verified according to institution-derived, medication-related guidelines and policies.

Differential Induction of Type I and Type III Interferons by Swine and Human Origin H1N1 Influenza A Viruses in Porcine Airway Epithelial Cells.

Interferons (IFNs) have been shown to inhibit influenza A virus (IAV) replication and play an essential role in controlling viral infection. Here we studied the kinetics and magnitude of induction of type I and type III IFN transcripts by primary porcine airway epithelial cells (pAECs) in response to swine and human origin IAV. We observed that swine influenza viruses (SIV) replicate more efficiently than the human pandemic influenza A/California/2009 (pH1N1 CA/09) in pAECs.