Effect of Bolus Insulin Administration Followed by a Continuous Insulin Infusion on Diabetic Ketoacidosis Management.

Despite the high incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) there is no consensus on the most appropriate way to manage insulin therapy. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of an insulin bolus on the resolution of DKA. A retrospective chart review of patients admitted between 1 September 2014 and 30 June 2016 with a diagnosis of DKA was conducted.

Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Doripenem in Critically Ill Trauma Patients with Sepsis.

Background: Doripenem is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections and complicated urinary tract infections. While studies have described the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of doripenem in the critically ill, no study has described the probability of target attainment profile among trauma patients with sepsis.

Patients And Methods: This study was a prospective, open-label, pharmacokinetic study in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) at Grady Health System.

Evaluation of pharmacy resident alertness in an overnight on-call program.

Purpose: Results of a study to determine the impact of overnight on-call duty on pharmacy residents' alertness are presented.

Methods: A prospective single-site observational study was conducted to evaluate sleep patterns and alertness levels among pharmacy residents serving 24-hour on-call duty assignments at a large hospital. The study participants (n = 10) wore a wrist actigraph to allow continuous tracking of rest-activity patterns; in addition, study participants completed a validated three-minute psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) during designated time periods around the beginning and the end of each duty shift and several hours after the shift ended.

A review of current agents for anticoagulation for the critical care practitioner.

There has been a tremendous boom in the arena of anticoagulant therapy recently. Although the indications for these agents reside in the noncritical care environment, over time, the impact of these agents have infiltrated the critical care environment particularly due to devastating complications with associated use. With so many newer agents on the market or coming down the pipeline, it is easy to become overwhelmed.

Evaluating and classifying pharmacists' quality interventions in the emergency department.

Purpose: The results of an evaluation of the impact of pharmacists' medication-related interventions on quality of care in the emergency department (ED) setting are reported.

Methods: Using data from a previously published observational study of medication errors intercepted by ED pharmacists at four academic medical centers, trained reviewers retrospectively analyzed 130 additional pharmacist interventions (those not categorized as medication errors in the primary study) over a specified four-month period to identify "quality interventions" (QIs), defined as those that (1) prevented misuse, underuse, or overuse of medications or (2) improved adherence to quality standards or evidence-based medicine (EBM) standards. The study included an evaluation of the medication classes associated with QIs and the acceptance of pharmacist-recommended QIs.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Ondansetron vs. Prochlorperazine in Adults in the Emergency Department.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of ondansetron and prochlorperazine to treat vomiting. Secondary objectives were the effectiveness of ondansetron and prochlorperazine to treat nausea and their tolerability.

Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, active controlled, double-blinded study.

Medication errors recovered by emergency department pharmacists.

Study Objective: We assess the impact of emergency department (ED) pharmacists on reducing potentially harmful medication errors.

Methods: We conducted this observational study in 4 academic EDs. Trained pharmacy residents observed a convenience sample of ED pharmacists' activities.

High- versus low-dose oxytocin for augmentation or induction of labor.

Objective: To compare the use of high- and low-dose oxytocin for augmentation or induction of labor.

Data Sources: Clinical trials were accessed through MEDLINE (1966-November 2003). Published literature relevant to the use of oxytocin for augmentation or induction of labor was evaluated.

In vitro bactericidal activity of piperacillin, gentamicin, and metronidazole in a mixed model containing Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Bacteroides fragilis.

An anaerobic, mixed model assay was used to study the bactericidal activities of piperacillin, gentamicin, and metronidazole, alone and in double- and triple-antibiotic combinations against a polymicrobial suspension of E. coli, E. faecalis, and B.