Correlation between heparin anti-Xa activity and thromboelastography in adult critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Study Objective: Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increases the risk of thrombotic complications with unfractionated heparin (UFH) as a commonly used agent in managing venous thromboembolism (VTE). The optimal anticoagulation intensity and monitoring parameters in intensive care unit (ICU) COVID-19 patients remains controversial. The primary study aim was to evaluate the relationship between anti-Xa and thromboelastography (TEG) reaction (R) time in patients with severe COVID-19 receiving therapeutic UFH infusions.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Techniques for Critically Ill Patients with Pneumonia.

Pneumonia is common in the intensive care unit (ICU), infecting 27% of all critically ill patients. Given the high prevalence of this disease state in the ICU, optimizing antimicrobial therapy while minimizing toxicities is of utmost importance. Inappropriate antimicrobial use can increase the risk of antimicrobial resistance, infection, allergic reaction, and other complications from antimicrobial use (e.

Correlation between partial thromboplastin time and thromboelastography in adult critically ill patients requiring bivalirudin for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Study Objective: Thromboelastography (TEG) offers a more dynamic assessment of hemostasis over activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). However, the clinical utility of TEG in monitoring bivalirudin during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between aPTT and TEG in adult ECMO patients anticoagulated with bivalirudin.

Comparison of Methicillin-Resistant Nasal Screening Predictive Value in the Intensive Care Unit and General Ward.

Background: The clinical utility of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) nasal screening appears promising for antimicrobial stewardship programs. However, a paucity of data remains on the diagnostic performance of culture-based MRSA screen in the intensive care unit (ICU) for pneumonia and bacteremia.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the predictive value of culture-based MRSA nasal screening for pneumonia and bacteremia in ICU and general ward patients.

Carbapenem versus Cefepime or Piperacillin-Tazobactam for Empiric Treatment of Bacteremia Due to Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing in Patients with Hematologic Malignancy.

Infections with extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing are common in patients with hematologic malignancy. The utility of cefepime and piperacillin-tazobactam as empiric therapy for ESBL-producing bacteremia in patients with hematologic malignancy is largely unknown. We conducted a single-center, retrospective cohort review of 103 adult inpatients with leukemia and/or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) recipients with monomicrobial ESBL-producing bacteremia.

Diabetes Outcomes: Comparison of Patient Assistance Programs to 340B Drug Pricing.

Background: Patient assistance programs (PAPs) or obtaining 340B drug pricing offers a means of providing medications at low cost. The purpose of this study was to determine whether primary care patients who receive insulin from PAPs have an improved change in A1C, compared to 340B patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of primary care patients who obtained insulin therapy through a PAP or 340B between June 1, 2012, and June 1, 2013.