Relationship between vancomycin trough concentrations and nephrotoxicity: a prospective multicenter trial.

Several single-center studies have suggested that higher doses of vancomycin, aimed at producing trough concentrations of >15 mg/liter, are associated with increased risk of nephrotoxicity. We prospectively assessed the relative incidence of nephrotoxicity in relation to trough concentration in patients with documented methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections at seven hospitals throughout South Carolina. Adult patients receiving vancomycin for at least 72 h with at least one vancomycin trough concentration determined under steady-state conditions were prospectively studied.

A peer review process for classroom teaching.

Objective: Describe the planning, implementation, and faculty perceptions of a classroom peer-review process, including an evaluation tool.

Design: A process for peer evaluation of classroom teaching and its evaluation tool were developed and implemented by a volunteer faculty committee within our department. At the end of the year, all faculty members were asked to complete an online anonymous survey to evaluate the experience.

Rhabdomyolysis associated with the nutritional supplement Hydroxycut.

Purpose: A case of rhabdomyolysis associated with the use of Hydroxycut is reported.

Summary: An 18-year-old Caucasian man arrived at an urgent care center complaining of bilateral leg pain and weakness. His creatine kinase (CK) concentration was 13,220 IU/L.

First-year residency candidates' experience in various areas of pharmacy practice.

Objective: To determine the extent of experience or exposure pharmacy residency candidates had in various areas of hospital pharmacy practice and to identify any candidate-specific variables that correlated with a larger extent of experience.

Methods: Over a 3-year period, a self-assessment survey instrument was administered to 116 postgraduate first-year (PGY1) pharmacy practice residency candidates to evaluate their extent of experience within various areas of hospital pharmacy practice such as patient care activities, drug information, and drug distribution/control.

Results: The residency candidates reported the greatest amount of experience in patient counseling, working with pharmacy databases, taking medication histories, pharmacokinetics, and outpatient dispensing procedures.