Implementation of an Extended-Infusion Piperacillin-Tazobactam Dosing Protocol: Unexpected Findings when Monitoring Safety and Compliance with Smart Pump Technology.

Compliance with recommended infusion rates was evaluated before, during, and after the implementation of extended-infusion (EI) piperacillin-tazobactam at an academic medical center. Software-controlled infusion-pump alert data were studied for piperacillin-tazobactam administrations before and after implementation of a four-hour EI protocol. Compliance was analyzed 16 weeks before (pre-EI), two weeks after (peri-EI), and an additional 16 weeks after (post-EI) protocol implementation.

Evaluation of hospital glycemic control at US academic medical centers.

Objective: To evaluate contemporary hospital glycemic management in US academic medical centers.

Design: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients discharged from 37 academic medical centers between July 1 and September 30, 2004; 1,718 eligible adult patients met at least 1 of the inclusion criteria: 2 consecutive blood glucose readings >180 mg/dL within 24 hours, or insulin treatment at any time during hospitalization. We assessed 3 consecutive measurement days of glucose values, glycemic therapy, and additional clinical and laboratory characteristics.

Intensivist physician staffing and the process of care in academic medical centres.

Background: Although intensivist physician staffing is associated with improved outcomes in critical care, little is known about the mechanism leading to this observation.

Objective: To determine the relationship between intensivist staffing and select process-based quality indicators in the intensive care unit.

Research Design: Retrospective cohort study in 29 academic hospitals participating in the University HealthSystem Consortium Mechanically Ventilated Patient Bundle Benchmarking Project.

A multicenter assessment of recombinant factor VIIa off-label usage: clinical experiences and associated outcomes.

Background: Off-label use of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) occurs despite minimal data. The purpose of this study was to describe prescribing practices and clinical outcomes for off-label rFVIIa use.

Study Design And Methods: A retrospective, multicenter chart audit of 315 nonhemophiliac patients was performed.