A theory-informed assessment of the barriers and facilitators to nurse-driven antimicrobial stewardship.

Background: Nurses represent an underused workforce for performing antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) activities. Before engaging nurses in these activities, barriers and facilitators to the targeted behavior change should be identified using a validated model.

Methods: This was a prospective, qualitative, descriptive study to determine the barriers and facilitators to the promotion of intravenous (IV) to oral (PO) antimicrobials by nurses.

Factors influencing quality of life in patients with active tuberculosis.

Background: With effective treatment strategies, the focus of tuberculosis (TB) management has shifted from the prevention of mortality to the avoidance of morbidity. As such, there should be an increased focus on quality of life (QoL) experienced by individuals being treated for TB. The objective of our study was to identify areas of QoL that are affected by active TB using focus groups and individual interviews.

Once-daily cefazolin and probenecid for skin and soft tissue infections.

Objective: To review the pharmacokinetic and clinical evidence for the use of once-daily cefazolin and probenecid in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI).

Data Sources: MEDLINE (1966-July 2003), EMBASE (1980-July 2003), and PubMed (1966-July 2003) databases for English language, human reports were searched. Search terms included cefazolin, probenecid, cellulitis, and soft tissue infections.

Mycophenolate mofetil for solid organ transplantation: does the evidence support the need for clinical pharmacokinetic monitoring?

The need for clinical pharmacokinetic monitoring (CPM) of the immunosuppressant mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has been debated. Using a previously developed algorithm, the authors reviewed the evidence to support or refute the utility of CPM of MMF. First, MMF has proven efficacy for prevention of organ rejection in renal and cardiac transplant populations.

Valacyclovir versus acyclovir for HSV prophylaxisin neutropenic patients.

Background: It is common practice to administer acyclovir as prophylaxis to patients with hematologic malignancies during neutropenia; however, effective therapy requires frequent dosing, which is difficult in this setting. Valacyclovir has greater oral bioavailability and requires less frequent dosing.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of valacyclovir compared with acyclovir.