The impact of antihypertensive use in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke in patients receiving alteplase.

Background: Treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with intravenous alteplase within 4.5 h of symptom onset is associated with neurologic improvement. High baseline blood pressure (BP) and BP variability during the first 24 h of AIS is associated with increased early adverse events and death.

A comparison of insulin doses for treatment of hyperkalaemia in intensive care unit patients with renal insufficiency.

Background: Hyperkalaemia is a complication in patients with chronic kidney disease or acute kidney injury and occurs frequently in the intensive care unit. One treatment approach includes intravenous (IV) insulin to shift potassium intracellularly.

Objectives: The primary outcome was hypoglycaemia (blood glucose <70 mg/dL) after insulin administration.

Impact of Prior-to-Admission Methicillin-Resistant Nares Screening in Critically Ill Adults With Pneumonia.

Background: The high negative predictive value (NPV) of a negative nasal methicillin-resistant (MRSA) result in suspected MRSA pneumonia is well established; however, data are limited on the NPV of samples collected prior to hospital admission for critically ill patients.

Objective: To evaluate the predictive characteristics of MRSA nares screening performed prior to hospital admission in critically ill adult patients diagnosed with pneumonia.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted in critically ill patients with pneumonia and MRSA nares screening within 60 days of respiratory culture.

Under the Microscope: A Look Into the Role of Critical Care Pharmacists During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Among disciplines, the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of critical care pharmacists in assuming responsibility for managing medication therapy in direct patient care settings. Historically, pharmacists have been relied upon for prospective evaluation of drug therapy for appropriate indications, dosage, drug interactions, and drug allergies; monitoring patients' pharmacotherapeutic regimens for effectiveness and adverse effects; providing drug information to providers; and educating health professionals regarding drug therapies. Specific to COVID-19, pharmacists have been an integral member of the multidisciplinary rounding team, assisting with drug shortages and strategies for drug conservation; participating in emergencies, such as advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and rapid sequence intubations; and creating as well as integrating evidence-based guidelines and pathways during the pandemic into clinical practice.

Emergency department methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nare screen effect on pneumonia treatment duration.

Study Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if performing a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal screen in the emergency department (ED) decreased general medicine patient exposure to anti-MRSA antibiotics for pneumonia.

Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective study evaluating patients who had a diagnosis of pneumonia and were initiated on anti-MRSA therapy (vancomycin or linezolid) in the ED and subsequently admitted to a general medicine floor. Patients were divided into two groups: 1) did not receive a MRSA nares screen in the ED (No MRSA screen group) or 2) received a MRSA nares screen in the ED (MRSA screen group).