Cefazolin Monotherapy Versus Cefazolin Plus Aminoglycosides for Antimicrobial Prophylaxis of Type III Open Fractures.

Background: There are conflicting recommendations between organizations regarding aminoglycoside use for the prophylaxis of type III open fractures.

Study Question: To compare cefazolin monotherapy versus cefazolin plus aminoglycoside therapy for prophylaxis of type III open fractures in trauma patients.

Study Design: This was a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study conducted in 3 academic medical centers in the United States.

Trigger alerts associated with laboratory abnormalities on identifying potentially preventable adverse drug events in the intensive care unit and general ward.

Background: Medication safety strategies involving trigger alerts have demonstrated potential in identifying drug-related hazardous conditions (DRHCs) and preventing adverse drug events in hospitalized patients. However, trigger alert effectiveness between intensive care unit (ICU) and general ward patients remains unknown. The objective was to investigate trigger alert performance in accurately identifying DRHCs associated with laboratory abnormalities in ICU and non-ICU settings.

Use of Prophylactic Ondansetron with Intravenous Opioids in Emergency Department Patients: A Prospective Observational Pilot Study.

Background: The current literature suggests that the prophylactic use of antiemetics is ineffective at preventing nausea or vomiting caused by opioids in the emergency department (ED). While there is no data evaluating ondansetron's efficacy for preventing opioid-induced nausea and vomiting, this practice remains common despite a lack of supporting evidence.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify if prophylactic ondansetron administered with intravenous (IV) opioids prevents opioid-induced nausea or vomiting.

A Multicenter Evaluation of Off-Label Medication Use and Associated Adverse Drug Reactions in Adult Medical ICUs.

Objective: Prior research indicates that off-label use is common in the ICU; however, the safety of off-label use has not been assessed. The study objective was to determine the prevalence of adverse drug reactions associated with off-label use and evaluate off-label use as a risk factor for the development of adverse drug reactions in an adult ICU population.

Design: Multicenter, observational study

Setting: : Medical ICUs at three academic medical centers.

Conivaptan for treatment of hyponatremia in neurologic and neurosurgical adults.

Objective: To review the literature evaluating the clinical safety and efficacy of conivaptan in the management of hyponatremia in a neurologic and neuro-surgical adult patient population.

Data Sources: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (1966-May 2013). Search limits were English, human, and adult using the terms vasopressin receptor antagonist, conivaptan, tolvaptan, lixivaptan, neurology, neurological disorder, neurosurgery, neurointensive care, and neurocritical care.