Empirical antibiotic therapy improves outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19: An emulated targeted trial within a prospective, multicentre cohort study.

Background: Bacterial pulmonary superinfections develop in a substantial proportion of mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients and are associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation requirements and increased mortality. Albeit recommended, evidence supporting the use of empirical antibiotics at intubation is weak and of low quality. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of empirical antibiotics, administered within 24 h of endotracheal intubation, on superinfections, duration of mechanical ventilation, and mortality in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19.

Cost-utility of lumbar interbody fusion surgery: A systematic review.

Background Context: Lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) is a common surgical intervention for treating lumbar degenerative disorders. Increasing demand has contributed to ever-increasing healthcare expenditure and economic burden. To address this, cost-utility analyses (CUAs) compare value in the context of patient outcomes.

Community pharmacy-based buprenorphine programs and pharmacists' roles, knowledge, attitudes, and barriers to providing buprenorphine-related services: A systematic review.

Background: Buprenorphine is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder (OUD) and reducing opioid-related overdose deaths. Community pharmacies are key access points for buprenorphine, with pharmacists well-positioned to dispense and counsel patients on appropriate use. Recent evidence has identified pharmacists' growing engagement in buprenorphine services; yet, access to buprenorphine and related services in community pharmacies remains limited.

Appropriate use of single-dose injectable aripiprazole lauroxil in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Introduction: Single-dose injectable aripiprazole lauroxil (SDIAL) is used with long-acting injectable (LAI) aripiprazole lauroxil in the treatment of schizophrenia. SDIAL can be used to either initiate treatment or supplement during maintenance when follow-up doses are not given within labeling recommendations. The primary objective was to determine the usage and appropriateness of SDIAL between the initiation and the maintenance supplementation use in a Medicaid database.