Background: Antimicrobial stewardship programs have made large efforts to minimize the inappropriate use of antibiotics. Implementation of these programs can be challenging, since many institutions have limited resources. Utilizing resources that already exist may be beneficial, including medication reconciliation pharmacist (MRP) programs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVancomycin requires therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) based on its pharmacokinetic properties, and guidelines have shifted to analyzing area under the curve over 24 hours (AUC24) rather than trough concentrations due to nephrotoxicity concerns and correlation to efficacy. Obesity is an established risk factor for vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity due to increased drug exposure based on dosing calculations and volume of distribution estimation. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between AUC-based versus trough-based dosing and nephrotoxicity among obese patients receiving vancomycin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To evaluate risk factors associated with vasopressor use and development of hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs).
Methods: The researchers conducted a retrospective chart review in a 12-bed medical ICU at a community hospital. A total of 123 patients who received a minimum of 24 hours of continuous vasopressor administration between January 2017 and January 2019 were included.