Modified diet in renal disease method overestimates renal function in selected elderly patients.

Background: the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) method of renal function estimation has not been extensively assessed in elderly patients. We needed to assess which renal function estimate was most suited for drug dose estimation in our population.

Method: we compared MDRD with an optimised version of the Cockcroft-Gault (CG(opt)) method in a hospital population, using gentamicin clearance as a baseline.

Impact of Introducing Anticoagulation-Related Prescribing Guidelines in a Hospital Setting using Academic Detailing.

Aim: Assess the impact of using academic detailing-assisted guideline roll-out on warfarin initiation, reversal of warfarin overanticoagulation, and uptake of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis across 4 metropolitan teaching hospitals.

Methods: Baseline data were collected for 3 months prior to intervention. Prescribers were then informed about the guidelines, including feedback of current hospital performance and the basis for the guidelines.