Implementation of targeted interventions to decrease antiretroviral-related errors in hospitalized patients.

Purpose: The implementation and effectiveness of targeted interventions aimed at decreasing the frequency of antiretroviral-related errors in hospitalized patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are described.

Summary: A prospective investigation conducted at the University of North Carolina Hospitals revealed a high rate of antiretroviral-related errors occurring on admission to the hospital and throughout a patient's hospital stay. The high frequency of errors emphasized the need for targeted interventions aimed at preventing these errors and quickly identifying and resolving errors that do occur.

Severe sepsis caused by Arcanobacterium haemolyticum: a case report and review of the literature.

Objective: To describe a case of severe sepsis, cavitary pneumonia, and pyomyositis caused by Arcanobacterium haemolyticum.

Case Summary: An 18-year-old male with a medical history significant for mild asthma presented to the emergency department complaining of a 7-day history of fever, diffuse myalgias, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and pain in his right upper quadrant, right shoulder, and left thigh. Cultures of blood, bronchoalveolar fluid, and surface and surgical swabs from the patient's left lower extremity grew A.

Frequency of HIV-related medication errors and associated risk factors in hospitalized patients.

Background: Retrospective studies of hospitalized HIV-infected patients have noted a high occurrence of drug-related errors, ranging from 5% to 30%.

Objective: To prospectively evaluate errors in antiretroviral (ARV) prescribing in the inpatient setting of a hospital tertiary care center and the association of risk factors with the occurrence of errors.

Methods: HIV-infected patients who received care and continued their ARVs for HIV infection on admission to a large academic teaching hospital between January and April 2006 were included in this study.

Effect of omeprazole on the plasma concentrations of indinavir when administered alone and in combination with ritonavir.

Purpose: The effects of omeprazole on indinavir when administered alone or in combination with ritonavir were evaluated.

Methods: Fourteen men and women age 18-55 years not infected with human immunodeficiency virus who met study qualifications were randomized to receive placebo, 20 mg of omeprazole, or 40 mg of omeprazole daily. After seven days, the single-dose pharmacokinetic profile of an 800-mg dose of indinavir alone or in combination with 200 mg of ritonavir was evaluated.