Effectiveness of telepharmacy diabetes services: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Although pharmacist-provided diabetes services have been shown to be effective, the effectiveness of telepharmacy (TP) in diabetes management has not been clearly established. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of diabetes TP services.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched (from inception through September 2021) to identify published studies that evaluated the effect of TP services in patients with diabetes mellitus and reported either glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) or fasting blood glucose (FBG) outcomes.

Ultra-Rapid-Acting Insulins: How Fast Is Really Needed?

Objective: To review the new ultra-rapid-acting insulin analogs and describe the benefits and limitations compared with other bolus insulins.

Summary: The options for bolus insulins, which are usually taken at mealtime or for correction of hyperglycemia, are expanding, with recent approvals of faster-acting insulin aspart and insulin lispro-aabc. These new-generation insulins contain additives that enhance absorption and accelerate onset of action.

Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Glycemic Outcomes in Patients with Abnormal Glucose Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Introduction: The effectiveness of probiotics in patients with abnormal glucose metabolism has not been clearly demonstrated. It is also unclear if outcomes are consistent across different probiotic formulations.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL database from inception through May 2020.

Students' perceptions of a new transitions of care elective course in the pharmacy curriculum.

Background And Purpose: The purpose of the new transitions of care (TOC) elective to the pharmacy curriculum is to train pharmacy students to address TOC medication-related problems, assess students' knowledge and perceptions of the TOC pharmacist's role, and explore the impact on interest in post-graduate career planning.

Educational Activity And Setting: Third-year pharmacy students were enrolled in the two-credit TOC elective course. The course was designed to include relevant TOC concepts and application of the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process.

Burnout assessment at a college of pharmacy, college of optometry, and school of physician assistant studies.

Introduction: There is limited research on burnout among students and faculty of health professions programs. This study was designed to assess burnout among students and faculty at a college of pharmacy (COP), college of optometry (COO), and school of physician assistant studies (SPAS).

Methods: The Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) was distributed to faculty and students at Marshall B Ketchum University (MBKU) COP, COO, and SPAS.

Energy Drink-Associated Electrophysiological and Ischemic Abnormalities: A Narrative Review.

An increasing number of cardiovascular adverse effects, emergency room visits, and deaths have been linked to energy drinks. In this review, we summarized available published literature assessing electrophysiological and ischemic adverse effects associated with energy drink consumption. Overall, 32 case reports and 19 clinical trials are included in this review.

Reduced alternative insulin dosing in hyperkalemia: A meta-analysis of effects on hypoglycemia and potassium reduction.

Study Objective: Recent studies have identified that reduced alternative intravenous insulin doses, such as 5 units or 0.1 units/kg, may reduce the risk of hypoglycemia compared to standard doses of 10 units in patients treated for hyperkalemia. However, some studies suggest that these alternative doses may reduce the ability to lower serum potassium.

Advances in novel antibiotics to treat multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections.

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat to public health and an increasingly common problem for acute care physicians to confront. Several novel antibiotics have been approved in the past decade to combat these infections; however, physicians may be unfamiliar with how to appropriately utilize them. The purpose of this review is to evaluate novel antibiotics active against resistant gram-negative bacteria and highlight clinical information regarding their use in the acute care setting.

Supporting students with academic difficulties.

Introduction: Up 15% of health professions students experience academic difficulties. We describe an early tracking system that effectively identifies and supports students with performance deficiencies. The objectives of this study were to discuss changes made in an academic success system at our new college of pharmacy, describe effectiveness of the updated program after one-year of use, and present changes that are being discussed based on the faculty and student feedback.

Modify Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Sepsis Core Measure (SEP-1) Now to Optimize Care for COVID-19.

In the commentary, the authors urge the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to remove lactate measurement from the national Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Early Management Bundle (SEP-1) during the COVID-19 crisis.

Effectiveness of Telepharmacy Versus Face-to-Face Anticoagulation Services in the Ambulatory Care Setting: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Effectiveness of anticoagulation services managed via telepharmacy (TP) has not been clearly demonstrated.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis compares the effectiveness of TP anticoagulation services to face-to-face (FTF) anticoagulation services in the ambulatory care setting.

Methods: A literature search for studies assessing the effectiveness of TP services was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central databases, from inception through November 18, 2020.

A Survey of Energy Drink Consumption and Associated Adverse Effects in Air Force Personnel.

Introduction: Energy drinks are an increasingly utilized beverage and are gaining popularity in recent years. The U.S.

Why N95 Should Be the Standard for All COVID-19 Inpatient Care.

Guidelines differ in their guidance on the use of N95 respirators versus medical masks for frontline health care workers working with patients with COVID-19, particularly when aerosolized procedures are not involved. This article makes the case that the existing data are inconclusive regarding the comparative effectiveness of N95 versus medical masks and could be misinterpreted. The authors suggest a reevaluation of this evidence or acknowledgement of these deficiencies in the setting of guidelines.

Comparison of IV Insulin Dosing Strategies for Hyperkalemia in the Emergency Department.

Unlabelled: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the safety and efficacy of insulin dosing of less than 10 units versus 10 units in patients receiving hyperkalemia treatment.

Design: Retrospective single-center study.

Setting: Emergency department at a large academic medical center in the United States.

A Comprehensive Survey of Infectious Diseases Curriculum Among US Pharmacy Schools.

To describe what and how infectious diseases (ID) topics are taught in US schools of pharmacy and summarize pharmacy faculty members' and students' perceived successes and challenges in teaching and learning about ID. A 23-item survey instrument was distributed electronically to ID faculty members at 137 US pharmacy schools. Data collected included curricular hours and format, topics covered, active-learning strategies, and curricular successes and concerns.

Vitamin C, Hydrocortisone, and Thiamine for the Treatment of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: A Retrospective Analysis of Real-World Application.

A recent study suggested mortality benefits using vitamin C, hydrocortisone, and thiamine combination therapy (triple therapy) in addition to standard care in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. In order to further evaluate the effects of triple therapy in real-world clinical practice, we conducted a retrospective observational cohort study at an academic tertiary care hospital. A total of 94 patients (47 in triple therapy group and 47 in standard care group) were included in the analysis.

Review of the many faces of synthetic cannabinoid toxicities.

Introduction: Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are psychoactive substances that are gaining popularity for their availability and lack of detection by standardized drug tests. Although some users may perceive SCs as safer alternatives to marijuana, some SCs are more potent and result in more severe toxicities.

Methods: A search of the literature was conducted in the PubMed and SciFinder databases.

Safety of Peripheral Line Administration of 3% Hypertonic Saline and Mannitol in the Emergency Department.

Background: Hypertonic saline (HTS) and mannitol are frequently utilized in the emergency department (ED) to manage elevations in intracranial pressure (ICP).

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the incidence of extravasation injury when HTS or mannitol was administered via peripheral i.v.

Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas Infections: Hard to Treat, But Hope on the Horizon?

Purpose Of Review: As the sixth most common nosocomial pathogen in the USA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses a significant threat to patients within the healthcare system. Its intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms also significantly limit the choices for antimicrobial therapy, prompting an increase in the research and development of antibacterial agents with enhanced activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa.

Usefulness of Statins for Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is common with an annual incidence of 1 to 5 per 1,000, resulting in major morbidity, mortality, and increased health care costs. It is more common in the elderly, obese, those with cancer, those undergoing surgery, and those with previous VTE. Strategy to reduce its occurrence has important public health implications.

Implementing a pharmacist consultation model for multimodal insulin therapy.

Purpose: The implementation of pharmacist-managed insulin dosing for selected hospitalized patients under a multimodal insulin protocol (MMIP) is described.

Summary: Hyperglycemia has been linked to increased thrombosis, decreased wound healing, and decreased immune response. Current recommendations support the use of multimodal (basal-bolus) insulin therapy in noncritically ill inpatients.