A pain in the neck: Salmonella spp. as an unusual cause of a thyroid abscess. A case report and review of the literature.

Background: Thyroid gland infections are rare. Their incidence is estimated to be less than 1% in immunocompromised hosts. Most common pathogens isolated are Gram positive aerobic cocci.

Implementation and Assessment of a Pharmacy Educational Program Concerning Laboratory Monitoring for Medications.

Background: The pharmacist's role in monitoring medication therapy, including the ability to order laboratory tests as a delegated medical function, has increased dramatically over the past 20 years.

Objectives: To implement and assess the impact of an intervention designed to educate pharmacists about appropriate medication-related laboratory monitoring and clinical interpretation of results.

Methods: This pilot project had a pretest-posttest study design.

A multicenter study of the point prevalence of drug-induced hypotension in the ICU.

Objective: To determine the point prevalence of drug-induced hypotension episodes in critically ill patients, to assess the episodes resulting from error, and to describe how episodes are treated.

Design: Multicenter observational, 24-hour snapshot study.

Setting: Forty-seven ICUs in 27 institutions located in the United States, Canada, and Singapore.

Multiprofessional survey of protocol use in the intensive care unit.

Purpose: To date, there has been no large multicenter, multiprofessional evaluation of protocol and guideline use in the intensive care unit (ICU). The primary purpose of this study was to describe national availability, development, implementation, and assessment of protocols in ICUs. A secondary objective was to compare perceived utility by ease of use, patient safety, cost containment, and compliance of protocols between nurses, physicians, and pharmacists.

Canadian survey of critical care pharmacists' views and involvement in clinical research.

Background: The involvement of Canadian critical care pharmacists in clinical research is not well documented.

Objective: To describe the clinical research experience of Canadian critical care pharmacists, describe their views about clinical research, and identify factors that facilitate their involvement in clinical research.

Methods: A cross-sectional electronic survey of Canadian critical care pharmacists was developed through an iterative process and conducted from July to October 2010.

Bispectral index values, sedation-agitation scores, and plasma Lorazepam concentrations in critically ill surgical patients.

Background: Publications on the use of the bispectral index for sedation monitoring in the intensive care unit are increasing. However, few studies have involved correlation of bispectral index with serum drug concentrations.

Objectives: To assess the degree of correlation between bispectral index values, scores on the Sedation-Agitation Scale, and steady-state serum concentrations of lorazepam.

Electrolyte disturbances associated with commonly prescribed medications in the intensive care unit.

Electrolyte imbalances are common in critically ill patients. Although multiple disease states typically encountered in the intensive care unit may be responsible for the development of electrolyte disorders, medications may contribute to these disturbances as well. Medications can interfere with the absorption of electrolytes, alter hormonal responses affecting homeostasis, as well as directly impact organ function responsible for maintaining electrolyte balance.

International critical care hospital pharmacist activities.

Objective: The role of critical care pharmacists in the United States has recently been documented; however, little information exists about the role of international critical care pharmacists. The objective of this study was to describe the duties and activities of international pharmacists who practice in critical care.

Design: Web-based survey.

An instructional seminar for online case-based discussions.

Objective: To assess a training seminar developed to prepare pharmacy instructors to facilitate online discussions.

Design: A 2-part seminar was developed to train faculty members and teaching assistants to facilitate online case-based discussions. A preseminar survey instrument was distributed to potential attendees and a postseminar survey instrument was given to those who attended the seminar.

Impact of disease states on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) in elderly patients and patients with renal and hepatic impairment were examined, and a role for an AUC/EC50 ratio to guide dosing was evaluated. A Medline and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts search was used to identify human studies and abstracts. Relevant data were evaluated and summarized.

Role of the bispectral index in sedation monitoring in the ICU.

Objective: To review and critique evidence for the use of the bispectral index (BIS) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Data Sources: A computer search of English-language articles in MEDLINE (1966-July 2005), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1971-July 2005), and Scientific Citation Index Expanded (1980-July 2005) was conducted. A manual search of abstracts was also performed using the key search terms BIS, sedation, and critical care.

Evaluation of lacrimal fluid as an alternative for monitoring glucose in critically ill patients.

Objective: This study evaluated the use of lacrimal fluid glucose concentrations as a minimally invasive, alternative sampling strategy for monitoring glucose concentrations in surgical/trauma ICU patients.

Design And Setting: Prospective, paired sample study in an adult surgical/trauma ICU.

Patients: Patients receiving subcutaneous or intravenous insulin requiring routine capillary blood glucose measurements.

Scope of international hospital pharmacy practice.

Objective: To review the published English literature regarding international hospital pharmacy practice.

Data Sources: A computer search of all English-language articles in MEDLINE (1966-June 2004) and other Internet sources and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1971-June 2004).

Study Selection And Data Extraction: All studies that discussed hospital pharmacy or clinical hospital pharmacy activities outside of the US were considered for inclusion.

Acute postoperative hypertension: a review of therapeutic options.

Purpose: The pathophysiology and treatment of acute postoperative hypertension (APH) are discussed.

Summary: APH is a significant elevation in arterial blood pressure (BP) during the immediate postoperative period. The predominant underlying mechanism appears to be sympathetic activation.