Nephrotoxicity of Vancomycin in Combination With Beta-Lactam Agents: Ceftolozane-Tazobactam vs Piperacillin-Tazobactam.

Background: Vancomycin (VAN)-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) is increased when VAN is combined with certain beta-lactams (BLs) such as piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP) but has not been evaluated with ceftolozane-tazobactam (C/T). Our aim was to investigate the AKI incidence of VAN in combination with C/T (VAN/C/T) compared with VAN in combination to TZP (VAN-TZP).

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, observational, comparative study across the United States.

A Call for Person-Centered Language and Consistent Terminology Regarding Cannabis Use.

The increased availability of medical and recreational cannabis has facilitated a need for a change in health care practices. The language surrounding substance use disorders (SUDs) needs to be destigmatized. The necessity for utilizing "person-first" or "person-centered language" is fundamental to ensure that there is consistency among health care personnel for treating patients with an SUD and providing quality patient care.

Multicenter point prevalence evaluation of the utilization and safety of drug therapies for COVID-19 at the onset of the pandemic timeline in the United States.

Key Points: In a multicenter point-prevalence study, we found that the rate of supportive care was high; among those receiving COVID-19 drug therapies, adverse reactions occurred in 12% of patients.

Purpose: There are currently no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). At the onset of the pandemic, off-label medication use was supported by limited or no clinical data.

Multicenter point-prevalence evaluation of the utilization and safety of drug therapies for COVID-19.

Background: There are currently no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of COVID-19. At the onset of the pandemic, off-label medication use was supported by limited or no clinical data. We sought to characterize experimental COVID-19 therapies and identify safety signals during this period.

Improving time to optimal Staphylococcus aureus treatment using a penicillin-binding protein 2a assay.

The penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) assay is a quick, accurate and inexpensive test for determining methicillin susceptibility in Staphylococcus aureus. A pre-post-study design was conducted using a PBP2a assay with and without the impact of an antimicrobial stewardship intervention to improve time to optimal therapy for methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates.

A multi-center study of fidaxomicin use for Clostridium difficile infection.

Purpose: Fidaxomicin use in real-world clinical practice, especially for severe Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), is mainly based on single-center observational studies. The purpose of this pharmacoepidemiology study was to assess outcomes of patients given fidaxomicin based on episode number and use of concomitant antibiotics.

Methods: Fidaxomicin use over time across included hospitals in the United States was assessed using a large inpatient drug utilization database.

A Student-Led Health Education Initiative Addressing Health Disparities in a Chinatown Community.

Together with community advocates, professional student organizations can help improve access to health care and sustain services to address the health disparities of a community in need. This paper examines the health concerns of an underserved Chinese community and introduces a student-led health education initiative that fosters service learning and student leadership. The initiative was recognized by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) and received the 2012-2013 Student Community Engaged Service Award.

Weight-based loading of vancomycin in patients on hemodialysis.

We evaluated weight-based loading doses of vancomycin and resulting initial prehemodialysis concentrations. Modeling demonstrated modest correlation between dose administered, age, and initial concentration achieved. Actual body weight-based loading of vancomycin predictably achieves therapeutic initial concentrations in patients who receive hemodialysis.