Assessment and management of urinary tract infections in aged care facilities.

Objectives: To compare assessment and management of urinary tract infections (UTI) for residents in aged care facilities (ACF) with evidence-based infection criteria and recommended therapy.

Methods: A retrospective clinical audit was conducted for all short-course antibiotics (SCA) prescribed to treat presumed UTIs (p-UTIs). Surveillance, microbiological and dispensing data determined whether p-UTIs met the revised McGeer criteria for infection and the extent to which SCAs complied with guideline recommendations.

We are all patient-centred now, aren't we? Lessons from new pharmacy graduates.

Introduction: Patient-centredness is considered integral to the delivery of modern healthcare. This qualitative, longitudinal study explored the meaning and development of the practice of pharmacy graduates, leading to a focus on patient-centredness. The approach adopted in this study aligned with the principles of hermeneutic phenomenology.

The three dimensional structure of Bovine Salivary Protein 30b (BSP30b) and its interaction with specific rumen bacteria.

Bovine Salivary Protein 30b (BSP30b) is a member of the tubular lipid-binding (TULIP) superfamily that includes the human bactericidal/permeability-increasing proteins (BPI), lipopolysaccharide binding proteins (LBP) and palate, lung, and nasal epithelium carcinoma-associated proteins (PLUNC). BSP30b is most closely related to the PLUNC family and is predominantly found in bovine saliva. There are four BSP30 isoforms (BSP30a-d) and collectively, they are the most abundant protein component of bovine saliva.

From transitions to transformation - A study of pharmacists developing patient-centered communication skills.

Background: Pharmacists' communication with patients often focuses on technical aspects of advice giving, while limiting socio-emotional content. To develop pharmacists' patient-centered communication a learning and practice module integrating motivational interviewing (MI) was designed for an online postgraduate program, and its impact on their self-described practice evaluated.

Objectives: To investigate whether training in patient-centered communication changes pharmacists' perceptions of communicating with patients, and how any changes in their communication style influenced interactions and relationships with patients.

Certainty rating in pre-and post-tests of study modules in an online clinical pharmacy course - A pilot study to evaluate teaching and learning.

Background: Graduate and post-graduate education for health professionals is increasingly delivered in an e-learning environment, where automated, continuous formative testing with integrated feedback can guide students' self-assessment and learning. Asking students to rate the certainty they assign to the correctness of their answers to test questions can potentially provide deeper insights into the success of teaching, with test results informing course designers whether learning outcomes have been achieved. It may also have implications for decision making in clinical practice.

Beta-lactam allergy in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Allergic reactions to one or more beta-lactam antibiotic can pose a management problem in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), and may limit antibiotic choice.

Method: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of allergy to anti-pseudomonal beta-lactam antibiotics in an adult CF centre and to assess variables, which may contribute to the development of allergic reactions. A questionnaire-based interview and a review of medical records were performed.

Nebulised dornase alpha: adherence in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Dornase alpha improves sputum clearance and pulmonary function in patients with moderate bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis (CF). Several studies have demonstrated variable adherence to treatment regimens in patients with CF. We aimed to compare self-reported adherence with computer based dispensing records of dornase alpha.

Antibiotic desensitization in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Objective: Allergic reactions to antibiotics occur in up to 30% of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Repeated antibiotic exposure and immune hyper-responsiveness increase the risk of allergic reactions and may limit antibiotic choice. Desensitization may allow the successful administration of an antibiotic despite previous allergy.