Impact of a student-supported pharmacy assessment program on venous thromboembolism prophylaxis rates in hospitalized patients.

Objectives: To determine if the addition of a student-supported venous thromboembolism risk assessment strategy could improve rates of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis at a community teaching hospital.

Methods: After receiving education and training on venous thromboembolism risk assessment, students assessed patients and recommended therapy in a 493-bed community teaching hospital over 5 weeks. Both the quantity and quality of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis were measured and compared to a baseline rate.

Efficacy and safety of an insulin infusion protocol in a surgical ICU.

Background: Hyperglycemia is associated with complications in the surgical intensive care unit. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of nurse-driven insulin infusion protocols in lowering blood glucose (BG) in critical illness.

Study Design: All patients in a 24-bed surgical intensive care unit who required i.

The impact of bedside behavior on catheter-related bacteremia in the intensive care unit.

Hypothesis: The success of an educational program in July 1999 that lowered the catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) rate in our intensive care unit (ICU) 3-fold is correlated with compliance with "best-practice" behaviors.

Design: Before-after trial.

Setting: Surgical ICU in a referral hospital.

Treatment of hypophosphatemia using a protocol based on patient weight and serum phosphorus level in a surgical intensive care unit.

Background: Hypophosphatemia may cause organ derangements in the surgical intensive care unit. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a repletion protocol for hypophosphatemia based on admission weight and phosphorus level.

Study Design: All patients who presented to an 18-bed surgical intensive care unit with a serum phosphorus level of 2.