The Relationship between the Initial Anti-factor Xa Measurement and the Duration of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Influence in Patients Transitioning to Heparin.

Background: Anticoagulation monitoring during transition from direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) to heparin infusions is a significant challenge. Factor Xa inhibitors influence the heparin calibrated antifactor Xa assay. The University of Virginia (UVA) Medical Center utilized a corrected antifactor Xa assay (c-AXA) during this transition period, which removes DOAC-mediated antifactor Xa activity (d-AXA) and reflects heparin-specific activity.

Efficiencies and outcomes of depression treatment by a psychiatric pharmacist in a primary care clinic compared with treatment within a behavioral health clinic.

Objective: This study compared the efficiency and increased access to care by a psychiatric pharmacist (PP) incorporated into primary care versus behavioral health clinic (BHC) prescribers for depression treatment.

Setting: The pharmacist's practice was based in the primary care clinics of an urban Federally Qualified Community Health Center (FQCHC).

Practice Description: PP entered into a supervised collaborative practice agreement at the FQCHC.

Alternative Pharmacological Management of Vasopressor Extravasation in the Absence of Phentolamine.

Vasopressor extravasation is a rare adverse drug reaction that can lead to tissue damage, ischemia, and necrosis of the affected area when vasopressors are administered peripherally. Phentolamine, a nonselective, reversible alpha antagonist, is the current standard treatment for this adverse reaction, but it is often unavailable for use. This review seeks to synthesize the available data in order to recommend alternative pharmacological options for use when phentolamine is not available.