The CHADS₂versus the new CHA2DS2-VASc scoring systems for guiding antithrombotic treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation: review of the literature and recommendations for use.

The association of atrial fibrillation and resultant thromboembolic stroke is readily recognized in the published literature. However, the identification and weight of other risk factors that increase stroke risk are varied. To predict which patients are at greatest risk for thromboembolic stroke, numerous risk stratification schemas have been developed to guide thromboprophylactic treatment decisions.

Pharmacy- and community-based screenings for diabetes and cardiovascular conditions in high-risk individuals.

Objective: To assess a model to screen minority, elderly, and at-risk individuals for diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia in pharmacy and non-health care settings.

Design: Multicenter, prospective, observational trial.

Setting: 26 pharmacies and 4 non-health care settings.

Osteoporosis screening and education in community pharmacies using a team approach.

Study Objectives: To develop a model for osteoporosis screening and education in community pharmacies using a team approach, compare bone mineral density T-scores between quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and determine patient satisfaction with this pharmacist-provided osteoporosis screening and education program.

Design: Prospective, cross-sectional study.

Setting: Community pharmacies and outpatient family medicine, internal medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Amarillo, Texas.

Pharmacist compensation for cognitive services: focus on the physician office and community pharmacy.

We provide a stepwise approach for the clinical pharmacy practitioner in the physician clinic or community pharmacy setting to secure compensation for cognitive services. How to establish compensation for pharmacist services is explored, including evaluating the payer mix, developing a relationship with the first- or third-party payer, becoming credentialed with a third-party payer, and creating a fee structure. We detail the physical process of billing, which involves completing appropriate billing forms, appropriately using billing codes, documenting cognitive services in the patient record, and obtaining the proper waivers and/or approvals to provide specific services such as laboratory services and immunizations.

Listeria meningitis associated with infliximab.

Objective: To report a case of Listeria monocytogenes meningitis in a 73-year-old man receiving infliximab for rheumatoid arthritis.

Case Summary: A 73-year-old white man taking infliximab for rheumatoid arthritis developed listeria meningitis following his second dose. He was receiving other immunosuppressants; however, these remained constant immediately prior to the infection.

A primer for developing pharmacist-managed clinics in the outpatient setting.

Pharmacist-managed clinics exist in many practice settings, such as physician offices, hospital-based outpatient clinics, and pharmacies. This article is intended to serve as a primer for pharmacists who wish to establish clinical pharmacy services in these settings. Recommendations for beginning this process are delineated.

Update on the management of dyslipidemia.

The third edition of guidelines from the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III [ATP III]) is discussed. The most recent classifications for low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol, and triglycerides are provided. LDL cholesterol goals, cardiovascular risk assessment, therapeutic goals, and pharmacologic treatment options are discussed for both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.