Quality improvement of intravenous to oral medication conversion using Lean Six Sigma methodologies.

Introduction: Lack of medication conversion from intravenous to oral contributes to increased risk of infection, delayed discharges and higher medication costs. At our institution, intravenous to oral medication conversion rate was 76% with missed opportunity for conversion of 37%. The goal of the project was to reduce the percent of missed opportunities for intravenous to oral conversion for applicable medications.

Investigation of the Selection and Timing of Pharmacological Therapy in Community-Acquired Bacterial Meningitis.

Background: Bacterial meningitis is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality, but early appropriate therapy is expected to improve outcomes. National treatment guidelines were published in 2004, but no assessment of their utilization in the U.S.