Comparison of physical interventions, behavioral interventions, natural health products, and pharmacologics to manage hot flashes in patients with breast or prostate cancer: protocol for a systematic review incorporating network meta-analyses.

Background: Breast and prostate cancers are the most commonly diagnosed non-dermatologic malignancies in Canada. Agents including endocrine therapies (e.g.

Systematic review of physical and chemical compatibility of commonly used medications administered by continuous infusion in intensive care units.

Objective: To quantify the physical and chemical stability data published for commonly used continuously infused medications in the intensive care unit and to evaluate the quality of the studies providing these data.

Data Sources And Study Selection: We conducted a systematic electronic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts as well as the references of electronic drug compatibility textbooks for all English and French language research publications evaluating the physical compatibility or chemical stability of the 820 possible two-drug combinations of 41 commonly used drugs in an adult intensive care unit.

Data Extraction And Synthesis: A total of 93 studies comprised of 86 (92%) studies evaluating physical compatibility and 35 (38%) studies evaluating chemical compatibility of at least one drug combination of interest were included.

Efficiency and safety of a standardized protocol for intravenous insulin therapy in ICU patients with neurovascular or head injury.

Background: To evaluate the safety and efficiency of a protocol for glycemic control in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with neurovascular or head injury.

Methods: Two cohorts of 50 consecutive patients admitted to the ICU with an admission diagnosis of neurovascular or head injury before and after protocol implementation were evaluated. All patients in the interventional cohort received insulin using a standardized intravenous insulin infusion protocol targeting blood glucose levels of 7-9 mmol/l.

Treatment of new-onset atrial fibrillation in noncardiac intensive care unit patients: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: Atrial fibrillation is a common problem associated with morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients; however, evidence-based treatment recommendations are lacking. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy of pharmacologic rhythm control of new-onset atrial fibrillation in noncardiac, critically ill adults.

Data Source: Citations identified from an electronic search of Medline, the Cochrane register of controlled trials, and Embase databases (1966 to August 2006) were independently reviewed by two investigators.

Evaluating the use of Drotrecogin alfa (activated) in adult severe sepsis: a Canadian multicenter observational study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to characterize the usage patterns and clinical outcomes of DAA in Ontario and Quebec over a 1-year period.

Methods: All hospitals with DAA on formulary in Ontario and Quebec were invited to participate. Consecutive patients who received DAA from 1 March 2003 to 29 February 2004 were identified retrospectively.

Standardization of intravenous insulin therapy improves the efficiency and safety of blood glucose control in critically ill adults.

Objective: Aggressive glycemic control improves mortality and morbidity in critically ill adults, however implementation of such a strategy can be logistically difficult. This study evaluates the efficiency and safety of a nurse-managed insulin protocol in critically ill adults.

Design: Combined retrospective-prospective before-after cohort study.