Evaluation of interventions led by pharmacists in antimicrobial stewardship programs in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic literature review.

Objective: We performed a systematic literature review to identify and describe pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Design: Systematic literature review.

Methods: We searched PubMed for studies evaluating pharmacist-led ASP interventions in LMICs from January 1, 2012, to November 4, 2023.

Use of a trigger tool to detect adverse drug reactions in an emergency department.

Background: Although there are systems for reporting adverse drug reactions (ADR), these safety events remain under reported. The low-cost, low-tech trigger tool method is based on the detection of events through clues, and it seems to increase the detection of adverse events compared to traditional methodologies. This study seeks to estimate the prevalence of adverse reactions to drugs in patients seeking care in the emergency department.

Secular trends in the epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI): relationship with alcohol gel and antimicrobial usage in a hospital.

Background: Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) has shown increasing incidence, morbidity, and mortality in recent years. We assessed the number of CDAD tests requested, CDAD positivity rates, the use of alcohol-based hand rubs, and antimicrobial utilization.

Methods: We collected information on every adult patient (>18 years) who developed diarrhea and had a positive stool test for C.

Implementation of an antibiotic prophylaxis protocol in an intensive care unit.

Background: When properly employed, the prophylactic use of antimicrobials is associated with a reduction in surgical site infections (SSIs). We found that the appropriate use of antimicrobial prophylaxis was only 50.5% (53/105) among patients undergoing surgery in the adult intensive care unit of our hospital.

Implementation and progress of clinical pharmacy in the rational medication use in a large tertiary hospital.

Objective: To show developments and contributions of a clinical pharmacy service in safety and rational use of medications in a large tertiary hospital.

Methods: Clinical pharmacists were responsible for all issues using medications at the hospital. In the beginning this professional was responsible for analyzing medical prescriptions, horizontal visits, and to set up protocols.

Pharmacy contribution to the prescription and rational use of human albumin at a large hospital.

Objective: The purpose of this survey was to reduce the use of human albumin 20% in non-supported indications at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein.

Methods: During a 30-day period, in December 2006, a preliminary prospective analysis of medical prescriptions of human albumin 20% and therapeutic indications according to ANVISA RDC 115 guidelines was performed. Based on this analysis, a project was developed.

The effect of limiting antimicrobial therapy duration on antimicrobial resistance in the critical care setting.

Background: Using antimicrobial agents for prolonged periods of time and/or in heavy densities is known to contribute to antimicrobial resistance.

Methods: A quasiexperimental, before and after study to limit the duration of antimicrobial therapy to 14 days was conducted in a medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU). An intervention to optimize antimicrobial therapy was performed when antimicrobial agents had been prescribed for more than 14 days.