Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Ceftriaxone Potentiates Warfarin Activity Greater Than Other Antibiotics In The Treatment Of Urinary Tract Infections, Lindsay M. Saum, Ryan P. Balmat

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Background: The cephalosporin class has been associated with an increased risk of bleeding among elderly patients receiving warfarin. Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most prevalent infection in elderly patients.

Objective: To determine the extent of interaction between antibiotics used in the treatment of UTI, particularly specific cephalosporins and warfarin.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on chronic warfarin patients with a diagnosis of UTI treated with ceftriaxone, a first-generation cephalosporin, penicillin, or ciprofloxacin. The primary outcome was the comparison of the extent of international normalized ratio (INR) change from baseline between each antibiotic group.

Results: The ceftriaxone group …

Geriatric Medication Therapy: Weighing The Evidence Versus Best Practice, Lindsay M. Saum, Cathy Ramey

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Goals: The goal of this article is to provide a review of available evidence for safe prescribing in older adults and recommend medication therapies based on anticipated pharmacokinetic/physiologic changes in this population.

Association Of Antipsychotic Use With Hospital Events And Mortality Among Medicare Beneficiaries Residing In Long-Term Care Facilities, Linda Simoni-Wastila, Priscilla T. Ryder, Jingjing Qian, Ilene H. Zuckermann, Thomas Shaffer, Lirong Zhao

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Objective—Antipsychotic (AP) utilization has grown significantly in long-term care (LTC) settings. Although a growing literature associates AP use with higher mortality in elderly with dementia, the association of APs with hospital events is unclear. The authors examine prevalence and trends in AP use by Medicare beneficiaries residing in LTC and the association of APs and other drug use variables with hospital events and mortality.

Design—Retrospective analysis using sequential multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.

Setting—Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey linked to Institutional Drug Administration and Minimum Data Set files.

Participants—A total of 2,363 LTC Medicare beneficiaries, 1999–2002. Measurements—Trends in LTC AP use …

Administrators’ Perceptions Of Medication Management In Assisted Living Facilities: Results From Focus Groups, Priscilla T. Ryder, Melanie Joseph, Marnie Zuckermann, Ilene H. Zuckermann

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Objective: Assisted living (AL) residents are vulnerable to adverse events as a result of using numerous medications and frequently need assistance in administering medications. Very little is known, however, about the ways in which medications are managed within this level of care. Design: AL administrators from the metropolitan Baltimore, Maryland area were invited to participate in focus groups to explore issues involved in medication management.

Setting and Participants: Four administrators from smaller (15 beds or fewer) and six larger (more than 15 beds) certified AL facilities serving primarily older residents participated. Administrators must have served in their position at least …