Pharmacist-Driven Methicillin-Resistant Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing for Pneumonia.

Background: Nasal colonization with methicillin-resistant (MRSA) can be detected using nasal swab polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and is associated with clinical MRSA infection. The MRSA nasal PCR has a rapid turnaround time and a negative predictive value for MRSA pneumonia of >98%; however, data are limited in critically ill patients.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of a pharmacist-driven algorithm, utilizing MRSA PCR nasal screening on duration of anti-MRSA therapy in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with suspected pneumonia.

Sleep-Promotion Bundle Development, Implementation, and Evaluation in Critically Ill Adults: Roles for Pharmacists.

Objective: To review evidence for intensive care unit (ICU) sleep improvement bundle use, identify preferred sleep bundle components and implementation strategies, and highlight the role for pharmacists in developing and evaluating bundle efforts.

Data Sources: Multiple databases were searched from January 1, 1990, to September 1, 2021, using the MeSH terms , or , or to identify comparative studies evaluating ICU sleep bundle implementation.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: Study screening, data extraction, and risk-of-bias evaluation were conducted in tandem.

Treatment of Severe Hypertriglyceridemia With Insulin Infusions in Severe COVID-19: A Case Series.

Purpose: Rapid onset of severe hypertriglyceridemia was quickly recognized in critical COVID-19 patients. Associated causes have been due to secondary hemophagocytic lymphohystiocytosis (HLH) syndrome, medication-induced, or acute liver failure. Statins, omega-3 polyunsaturated acids, niacin, and fibrates are common oral lipid lowering therapy options in patients at risk for hypertriglyceridemia.

Impact of a Pharmacist-Led Intensive Care Unit Sleep Improvement Protocol on Sleep Duration and Quality.

Background: Sleep improvement protocols are recommended for use in the intensive care unit (ICU) despite questions regarding which interventions to include, whether sleep quality or duration will improve, and the role of pharmacists in their development and implementation.

Objective: To characterize the impact of a pharmacist-led, ICU sleep improvement protocol on sleep duration and quality as evaluated by a commercially available activity tracker and patient perception.

Methods: Critical care pharmacists from a 40-bed, mixed ICU at a large community hospital led the development and implementation of an interprofessional sleep improvement protocol.

Prolonged Refractory ICU Delirium Successfully Treated With Valproic Acid: Case Report and Literature Review.

Intensive care unit (ICU) delirium is characterized by acute onset of cerebral dysfunction with a change or fluctuation in baseline mental status. Delirium management includes non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment. However at times, alternative pharmacologic treatment is warranted.

Framework and Outcomes of a Critical Care Pharmacy Visiting Clinical Professor Program.

Objectives: Experiences with utilizing a visiting clinical professor program to mentor institutions and collaborate on best practices in critical care pharmacy are described to provide a framework for these services and a synopsis of key outcomes.

Design: The Society of Critical Care Medicine Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology Section implemented a visiting clinical professor program to address the need for collaboration, idea-sharing, mentorship, and diffusion of innovation to clinicians in critical care practice.

Setting: Critical care pharmacy departments at 12 medical centers.

Characterisation of ICU sleep by a commercially available activity tracker and its agreement with patient-perceived sleep quality.

Background: A low-cost, quantitative method to evaluate sleep in the intensive care unit (ICU) that is both feasible for routine clinical practice and reliable does not yet exist. We characterised nocturnal ICU sleep using a commercially available activity tracker and evaluated agreement between tracker-derived sleep data and patient-perceived sleep quality.

Patients And Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed in a 40-bed ICU at a community teaching hospital.

Efficacy, safety, and medication errors associated with the use of inhaled epoprostenol for adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome: a pilot study.

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a type of hypoxic respiratory failure that results from ventilation and perfusion mismatching. Inhaled epoprostenol induces relaxation of smooth muscle in pulmonary vasculature, leading to improved oxygenation.

Objective: To determine if the use of inhaled epoprostenol produced a 10% or greater increase in the ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂) to fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) in ARDS patients and to review adverse events and medication errors.