An integrated empirical and computational study to decipher help-seeking behaviors and vocal stigma.

Background: Professional voice users often experience stigma associated with voice disorders and are reluctant to seek medical help. This study deployed empirical and computational tools to (1) quantify the experience of vocal stigma and help-seeking behaviors in performers; and (2) predict their modulations with peer influences in social networks.

Methods: Experience of vocal stigma and information-motivation-behavioral (IMB) skills were prospectively profiled using online surveys from a total of 403 Canadians (200 singers and actors and 203 controls).

A call to action: Maximizing the pharmacy technician role through certifications.

The continued advancement of pharmacy practice demands highly skilled and knowledgeable pharmacy technicians to enhance the services provided. As technician responsibilities continue to evolve to include more advanced roles, the need for standardized technician training and certification is essential to advance the profession of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy practice. With only 45% of states requiring technician certification, great variation exists in the education and training competencies required for technicians practicing in the health system setting.

Restriction-free antimicrobial stewardship initiative targeting fluoroquinolone reduction across a regional health-system.

Background: Fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics have become a target of many antimicrobial stewardship programmes. Multiple post-marketing warnings from the Food and Drug Administration caution against use of this drug class for certain infections due to risk of harmful adverse effects outweighing benefit. Commonly employed strategies to affect antibiotic prescribing can be restrictive and without improvement in overall antibiotic appropriateness or decrease in collateral damage.

The essential role of pharmacists in antibiotic stewardship in outpatient care: An official position statement of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists.

Objectives: The objective of this position statement is to describe the essential role of pharmacists in antimicrobial stewardship in outpatient care.

Data Sources: N/A.

Summary: The majority of antibiotic prescribing occurs in outpatient care settings highlighting the need for antibiotic stewardship in the community.

Clinical efficacy of 12-h metronidazole dosing regimens in patients with anaerobic or mixed anaerobic infections.

Unlabelled: Traditional metronidazole dosing regimens utilize an every 8 h dosing strategy to treat anaerobic and mixed anaerobic infections. However, pharmacokinetic data demonstrate that the half-life of metronidazole is 8-12 h and blood levels at 12 h exceed the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for most anaerobic infections. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of clinical cure among patients who received metronidazole every 12 h compared with those who received an every 8 h frequency.

Impact of Combination Antibiogram and Related Education on Inpatient Fluoroquinolone Prescribing Patterns for Patients With Health Care-Associated Pneumonia.

Background: Previous studies have shown that development of a unit-specific combination antibiogram improves optimal selection of empiric therapy for Gram-negative infections, yet no published data exist regarding the role of the combination antibiogram as an antimicrobial stewardship program tool for disease-specific prescribing.

Objective: To evaluate the utility of a combination antibiogram to guide antibiotic prescribing for patients with health care-associated pneumonia (HCAP).

Methods: This was a retrospective preprovider and postprovider education intervention study aimed to evaluate fluoroquinolone (FQ) use in patients with HCAP.

Initiation and preliminary evaluation of an oncology pharmacy training course for staff pharmacists.

Introduction: There is currently a disparity between oncology pharmacy job openings and PGY2 trained pharmacists completing residency training each year. As a result, pharmacists without specialized training in oncology are filling much needed oncology positions and may need on-the-job oncology training. To improve oncology knowledge among non-PGY2 trained pharmacists working in oncology positions, Novant Health coordinated an Oncology Pharmacy Training Course (OPTC).

Clinical comparison of ertapenem and cefepime for treatment of infections caused by AmpC beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

There are no comparative data evaluating outcomes of ertapenem treatment for infections with AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae. This retrospective matched case-control study was conducted between 2009 and 2012. Sixteen cases treated with ertapenem were matched 1:2 with 32 control cases treated with cefepime based on age, culture source, and hospital service.

Standardized versus custom parenteral nutrition: impact on clinical and cost-related outcomes.

Purpose: Results of a study comparing clinical and cost outcomes with the use of standardized versus custom-prepared parenteral nutrition (PN) in an acute care setting are reported.

Methods: In a retrospective pre-post analysis, nutritional target attainment, electrolyte abnormalities, and other outcomes were compared in patients 15 years of age or older who received custom PN (n = 49) or a standardized PN product (n = 57) for at least 72 hours at a large medical center over a 13-month period; overall, 45% of the cases were intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. A time-and-motion assessment was conducted to determine PN preparation times.