Ketamine reduces seizure and interictal continuum activity in refractory status epilepticus: a multicenter in-person and teleneurocritical care study.

Background: There is not a preferred medication for treating refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and intravenous ketamine is increasingly used. Ketamine efficacy, safety, dosage, and influence of other variables on seizure cessation while on ketamine infusions are not well studied. We aimed to characterize ketamine effect on RSE, including interictal activity on electroencephalogram (EEG) and when done by Teleneurocritical care (TNCC).

Cost-avoidance associated with implementation of an overnight emergency medicine pharmacist at a Level I Trauma, Comprehensive Stroke Center.

Aim: To investigate the cost-avoidance associated with implementation of an overnight emergency medicine pharmacist (EMP) through documented clinical interventions.

Design: Retrospective evaluation of prospectively tracked interventions in a single Level I Trauma, Comprehensive Stroke Center, from November 25, 2020 through March 12, 2021 during expanded emergency medicine service hours (2300-0700).

Interventions: One of 45 clinical patient-care recommendations associated with cost-avoidance were available to be selected and documented by the EMP; more than one intervention was allowed per patient, though one clinical intervention could not be counted as multiple items.

Guidelines for Neuroprognostication in Critically Ill Adults with Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Background: Moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (msTBI) carries high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Accurate neuroprognostication is essential in guiding clinical decisions, including patient triage and transition to comfort measures. Here we provide recommendations regarding the reliability of major clinical predictors and prediction models commonly used in msTBI neuroprognostication, guiding clinicians in counseling surrogate decision-makers.

Guidelines for neuroprognostication in adults with traumatic spinal cord injury.

Background: Traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) impacts patients and their families acutely and often for the long term. The ability of clinicians to share prognostic information about mortality and functional outcomes allows patients and their surrogates to engage in decision-making and plan for the future. These guidelines provide recommendations on the reliability of acute-phase clinical predictors to inform neuroprognostication and guide clinicians in counseling adult patients with tSCI or their surrogates.

Guidelines for Neuroprognostication in Critically Ill Adults with Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Background: The objective of this document is to provide recommendations on the formal reliability of major clinical predictors often associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) neuroprognostication.

Methods: A narrative systematic review was completed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology and the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, Timing, Setting questions. Predictors, which included both individual clinical variables and prediction models, were selected based on clinical relevance and attention in the literature.

Post-discharge venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in hospitalized trauma patients: A retrospective comparison of patients receiving versus not receiving post-discharge prophylaxis.

Background: Risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in many trauma patients extends beyond hospitalization, but there is a paucity of evidence to guide the use of post-discharge prophylaxis (PDP).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of trauma patients deemed moderate-to-high risk for VTE (risk assessment profile score [RAP] ≥5) who were prescribed PDP based on an internal clinical guideline assessing injury pattern and mobility status. PDP patients were compared with those that did not receive post-discharge prophylaxis (NPDP).

Impact of a Multifaceted Intervention on Antibiotic Prescribing for Cystitis and Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in 23 Community Hospital Emergency Departments.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are over-diagnosed and over-treated in the emergency department (ED) leading to unnecessary antibiotic exposure and avoidable side effects. However, data describing effective large-scale antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) interventions to improve UTI and asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) management in the ED are lacking. We implemented a multifaceted intervention across 23 community hospital EDs in Utah and Idaho consisting of in-person education for ED prescribers, updated electronic order sets, and implementation/dissemination of UTI guidelines for our healthcare system.

Guidelines for Neuroprognostication in Adults with Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Background: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) often carries a favorable prognosis. Of adult patients with GBS, 10-30% require mechanical ventilation during the acute phase of the disease. After the acute phase, the focus shifts to restoration of motor strength, ambulation, and neurological function, with variable speed and degree of recovery.

Guidelines for Neuroprognostication in Comatose Adult Survivors of Cardiac Arrest.

Background: Among cardiac arrest survivors, about half remain comatose 72 h following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Prognostication of poor neurological outcome in this population may result in withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy and death. The objective of this article is to provide recommendations on the reliability of select clinical predictors that serve as the basis of neuroprognostication and provide guidance to clinicians counseling surrogates of comatose cardiac arrest survivors.

Implementation and Impact of Critical Care Pharmacist Addition to a Telecritical Care Network.

Unlabelled: Critical care pharmacists when incorporated into the ICU team, have been shown to improve outcomes in critically ill patients by decreasing mortality, improving morbidity and reducing cost. As telehealth continues to evolve, the incorporation of a critical care pharmacist into a comprehensive telecritical care (TCC) service will allow increased comprehensive pharmacotherapeutic care for those in smaller, community or rural hospitals.

Objectives: To describe the implementation of a TCC pharmacist into an established TCC network, classify interventions performed, and quantify cost avoidance generated through pharmacist interventions.

Order Substitutions and Education for Balanced Crystalloid Solution Use in an Integrated Health Care System and Association With Major Adverse Kidney Events.

Importance: Trials comparing balanced crystalloids with normal saline have yielded mixed results regarding reductions in kidney complications and mortality for hospitalized patients receiving intravenous fluids.

Objective: To evaluate the association of a multifaceted implementation program encouraging the preferential use of lactated Ringer solution with patient outcomes and intravenous fluid-prescribing practices in a large, multilevel health care system.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This type 2 hybrid implementation and comparative effectiveness study enrolled all patients 18 years or older who received 1 L or more of intravenous fluids while admitted to an emergency department and/or inpatient unit at 1 of 22 hospitals in Idaho and Utah between November 1, 2018, and February 29, 2020.

Variables associated with adequate INR reversal in warfarin treated patients receiving 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate.

Dosing of 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4FPCC) in warfarin treated patients generally utilizes international normalized ratio (INR) and patient weight. The recommended maximum dosing for all INR categories is capped at 100 kg weight. Whether this affects INR reversal is unknown.

High-dose versus low-dose 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate for factor Xa inhibitor reversal in intracranial hemorrhage.

Background & Purpose: 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4FPCC) is used off-label for factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor-associated intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Guideline recommendations provide various 4FPCC dosing regimens for FXa inhibitor reversal in this setting. We evaluated 4FPCC weight-based dosing and outcomes in FXa inhibitor-associated ICH.

COVID-19 preparedness: Clinical pharmacy services remote staffing in a quaternary, level I trauma and comprehensive stroke center.

Purpose: The rapid spread of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has strained the resources of healthcare systems around the world. In accordance with recommendations from the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and US Department of Defense, Intermountain Medical Center (IMED) in Murray, UT, has developed a plan to provide remote clinical pharmacy services to protect the health of pharmacy caregivers while maintaining appropriate clinical pharmacy coverage to optimally care for patients.

Summary: The utilization of telemedicine technology permits clinical pharmacists to readily communicate with nurses, physicians, other caregivers, and patients.

Melatonin, Ramelteon, Suvorexant, and Dexmedetomidine to Promote Sleep and Prevent Delirium in Critically Ill Patients: A Narrative Review With Practical Applications.

Sleep plays an important role in the recovery of critically ill patients. However, patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) often suffer sleep disturbances and abnormal circadian rhythms, which may increase delirium and lengthen ICU stay. Nonpharmacologic strategies for preventing and treating sleep disturbances and delirium, such as overnight eye masks and ear plugs, are usually employed first, given the lack of adverse effects.

Alteplase Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Pregnancy: Two Case Reports and a Systematic Review of the Literature.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) during pregnancy is a rare but serious complication. Intravenous alteplase is the only medication approved for hyperacute treatment of AIS; however, it has not been evaluated prospectively in pregnancy. Pregnancy was an exclusion criterion in prospective AIS studies and was only recently removed as a relative contraindication in the 2018 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke guidelines.

Comparative thrombosis risk of vascular access devices among critically ill medical patients.

Background: Central venous catheters (CVC) and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are central vascular access devices (CVADs) that facilitate administration of medications among critically ill patients. Both are associated with risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The relative risk of VTE between these catheter types is not well defined.

Newly Initiated In-Hospital Antipsychotics Continued at Discharge in Non-psychiatric Patients.

Antipsychotics are commonly initiated in the hospital for agitation and delirium and may be inappropriately continued upon floor transfer and at discharge. We sought to evaluate the magnitude of this issue within our health care system. We conducted a multicenter, retrospective cohort study within a 22-hospital health care system to evaluate the proportion of patients without identifiable psychiatric illness who received newly initiated inpatient antipsychotics and were then continued on an antipsychotic at hospital discharge.

Patterns and Appropriateness of Thrombophilia Testing in an Academic Medical Center.

Background: Clinical guidelines recommend against routine use of thrombophilia testing in patients with acute thromboembolism. Thrombophilia testing rarely changes acute management of a thrombotic event.

Objective: To determine appropriateness of thrombophilia testing in a teaching hospital.

Repurposing Valproate, Enteral Clonidine, and Phenobarbital for Comfort in Adult ICU Patients: A Literature Review with Practical Considerations.

Provision of adequate sedation is a fundamental part of caring for critically ill patients. Propofol, dexmedetomidine, and benzodiazepines are the most commonly administered sedative medications for adult patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). These agents are limited by adverse effects, need for a monitored environment for safe administration, and lack of universal effectiveness.

Alteplase for Acute Ischemic Stroke after Heparin Reversal with Protamine: A Case Report and Review.

Few patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) are eligible for alteplase, especially those receiving ongoing anticoagulation. We describe the first reported case of a patient receiving full-dose intravenous (IV) alteplase for AIS after heparin reversal with protamine. A 73-year-old man presented with AIS.

Three-Factor Versus Four-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate for the Emergent Management of Warfarin-Associated Intracranial Hemorrhage.

Background: Four-factor prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) produce a more rapid and complete INR correction compared with 3-factor PCC in patients receiving warfarin. It is unknown if this improves clinical outcomes in the setting of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study included patients presenting with warfarin-associated ICH reversed with either 4- or 3-factor PCC.