Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons^™

Prescriptions For Bedtime Sedatives After The Introduction Of A General Admission Order Set At An Academic Health Center: The Potential And Pitfalls Of Order Sets, Areeba Kara, Alex N. Isaacs, Sarah A. Nisly

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Objective: This study describes the impact of modifications to a general admission order set on physician prescribing of 2 as-needed or pro re nata (PRN) bedtime sedatives.

Methods: The hospitalists at our institution have used a general medical admission order set since 2005. Zolpidem was the only as-needed (PRN) bedtime sedative option on the order set until trazodone was added in December 2008. Trazodone is preferred over zolpidem in the geriatric population. We identified patients admitted by the hospitalists between January 2007 and August 2013 who were prescribed with either zolpidem or trazodone as a PRN sedative. Patient demographics, date …

Prescriptions For Bedtime Sedatives After The Introduction Of A General Admission Order Set At An Academic Health Center: The Potential And Pitfalls Of Order Sets., Areeba Kara, Alex N. Isaacs, Sarah A. Nisly

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

OBJECTIVE:

This study describes the impact of modifications to a general admission order set on physician prescribing of 2 as-needed or pro re nata (PRN) bedtime sedatives.

METHODS:

The hospitalists at our institution have used a general medical admission order set since 2005. Zolpidem was the only as-needed (PRN) bedtime sedative option on the order set until trazodone was added in December 2008. Trazodone is preferred over zolpidem in the geriatric population. We identified patients admitted by the hospitalists between January 2007 and August 2013 who were prescribed with either zolpidem or trazodone as a PRN sedative. Patient demographics, date …

Success With Extended-Infusion Meropenem After Recurrence Of Baclofen Pump-Related Achromobacter Xylosoxidans Meningitis In An Adolescent, Kristen R. Nichols, Chad A. Knoderer, Nicholas G. Jackson, John J. Manaloor, John C. Christenson

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

A 13-year-old female experienced a recurrence of baclofen pump-related central nervous system (CNS) infection caused by Achromobacter, despite absence of retained foreign material. Due to the failure of meropenem (120 mg/kg/d in divided doses every 8 hours and infused over 30 minutes) in the initial infection, the dose was infused over 4 hours during the recurrence. Meropenem is an antibiotic for which efficacy is time dependent, and 4-hour versus 30-minute infusions have been shown to prolong the time the concentration of the antibiotic exceeds the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the organism at the site of infection (T>MIC). …

Late-Occurring Vancomycin-Associated Acute Kidney Injury In Children Receiving Prolonged Therapy, Chad A. Knoderer, Allison L. Gritzman, Kristen R. Nichols, Amy C. Wilson

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients receiving vancomycin has been associated with trough concentrations ≥15 mg/L and longer therapy duration. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and factors associated with late AKI in children receiving ≥8 days of vancomycin therapy. Methods: Children aged 30 days to 17 years who were admitted to our institution and received intravenous vancomycin for at least 8 days during January to December of 2007 and 2010 and had a suspected or proven gram-positive infection were included. Late AKI was categorized as AKI occurring after the first 7 days of therapy …

Analysis Of A Standardized Perioperative Pain Management Order Set In Highly Opioid-Tolerant Patients, Alex. N. Isaacs, Kellie L. Knight, Sarah A. Nisly

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Objective: The aim was to assess a standardized order set for perioperative pain management in highly opioid-tolerant patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery.

Methods: This retrospective chart review evaluated a pain order set in highly opioid-tolerant patients undergoing elective total knee or total hip arthroplasty from January 2010 through August 2012. Based on the date of the surgery, patients were allocated into preimplementation or postimplementation order set groups. The primary outcome assessed whether an adjustment in daily opioid dosage was required within the first 48 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included pain scores, length of hospitalization, and safety outcomes.

Results: Sixty patients …

Hypertension Management: Making Sense Of Guidelines And Therapy Options For The Elderly, Miranda Arthur, Lindsay Saum, Jessica E. Wilhoite

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Goal: The goal of this activity is to increase the awareness of the pharmacist on the complications surrounding hypertension management in the elderly individual, clarify the differences in current guideline recommendations, and aid in making the most appropriate drug therapy decisions regarding the management of hypertension.

Total Nutrient Admixtures (3-In-1): Pros Vs Cons For Adults, Jane Gervasio

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Total nutrient admixture (TNA) is a complete parenteral nutrition (PN) formulation composed of all macronutrients, including dextrose, amino acids, and intravenous fat emulsions (IVFE), in one bag. The TNA may be safely administered to the patient, with all components aseptically compounded and minimal administration manipulation required, lending itself to decreases in risks of catheter contamination and patient infections. The TNA is compatible and stable at recommended concentrations, and since the IVFE is in the TNA, it is infused at slower rates, allowing for better fat clearance. The TNA offers convenience of administration and a potential cost savings to the healthcare …

Standardized Competencies For Parenteral Nutrition Prescribing: The American Society For Parenteral And Enteral Nutrition Model, Peggi Guenter, Joseph I. Boullata, Phil Ayers, Jane Gervasio, Ainsley Malone, Erica Raymond, Beverly Holcombe, Michael Kraft, Gordon Sacks, David Seres, Parenteral Nutrition Safety Task Force, American Society For Parenteral And Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.)

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Parenteral nutrition (PN) provision is complex, as it is a high-alert medication and prone to a variety of potential errors. With changes in clinical practice models and recent federal rulings, the number of PN prescribers may be increasing. Safe prescribing of this therapy requires that competency for prescribers from all disciplines be demonstrated using a standardized process. A standardized model for PN prescribing competency is proposed based on a competency framework, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.)–published interdisciplinary core competencies, safe practice recommendations, and clinical guidelines. This framework will guide institutions and agencies in developing and maintaining …

The Cost Of Treating Cancer Patients With Antineoplastic Medications During Inpatient Hospital Admission, Alexandra Foster, David J. Reeves

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Abstract from 2015 American College of Clinical Pharmacy Global Conference, San Francisco, CA

Tolerability Of Induction Chemotherapy Dosing Practices In Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients, Kaylene M. Peric, David J. Reeves

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

For patients with high body surface areas (BSA), differing chemotherapy dosing strategies have been utilized in attempts to reduce toxicity. In a retrospective evaluation, we compared the effects of chemotherapy dosing in acute myeloid leukemia patients with high BSA (>2 m²) who received capped doses (n = 12) to those who received uncapped doses (n = 24), and to patients with BSA ≤ 2 m² (n = 42). There were no statistically significant differences among groups (BSA ≤ 2 m², BSA > 2 m² capped, and BSA > 2 m² uncapped) …

Self-Assembling Modified Β -Cyclodextrin Conjugated Sirna Nanoparticles And Liposomal Sirna Efficiently Knock Down The Mutant Huntingtin Gene In A Modified Pc-12 Cell Line, Rukmini Ladi, Sudip Das, Nandita Das

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Purpose: To formulate and characterize liposomal siRNA (LP-siRNA) and cationic β-cyclodextrin siRNA (CD-siRNA) nanoparticle complexes and evaluate their efficacy in knockdown of mutant Huntingtin protein (mHtt) in a modified PC-12 cell line.

Curcuminoid In Nanoemulsion Formulations Cause Enhanced Cell Death In The Hela Cancer Cell Culture Model, Nikita Kheradia, Nandita Das, Sudip Das

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Purpose: To formulate and characterize curcuminoid (insoluble chemoprevention agent) loaded nanoemulsions and evaluate their cytotoxicity in HeLa cells.

Evaluation Of A Vancomycin Dosing Protocol And Pharmacokinetic Parameters In Burn Patients, T. A. Walroth, K. A. Lavery, S. Erdman, N. R. Buening, D. R. Foster, Kendra M. Damer, R. Sood

Scholarship and Professional Work – COPHS

Published abstract from the 47th American Burn Association Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL April 2015.

Geographic Variation In Antidiabetic Agent Adherence And Glycemic Control Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Eleanora Tan, Wenya Yang, Bo Pang, Mingliang Dai, F. Ellen Loh, Paul Hogan

Touro College of Pharmacy (New York) Publications and Research

BACKGROUND: Medication nonadherence is an imperative public health concern. Among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), poor adherence to antidiabetic agents is strongly associated with suboptimal glycemic control. Poor adherence and hyperglycemia greatly increase diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. At a national level, diabetes drug adherence using average proportion of days covered (PDC) is estimated to range between 36% and 81%, with an estimated range for diabetes control between 38% and 47%. At a state level no such studies exist.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the level of medication adherence to antidiabetic agents and of diabetes control, and their association among patients …

Transdermal Delivery Of Drugs With Microneedles—Potential And Challenges, Kevin B. Ita

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Pharmacy

Transdermal drug delivery offers a number of advantages including improved patient compliance, sustained release, avoidance of gastric irritation, as well as elimination of pre-systemic first-pass effect. However, only few medications can be delivered through the transdermal route in therapeutic amounts. Microneedles can be used to enhance transdermal drug delivery. In this review, different types of microneedles are described and their methods of fabrication highlighted. Microneedles can be fabricated in different forms: hollow, solid, and dissolving. There are also hydrogel-forming microneedles. A special attention is paid to hydrogel-forming microneedles. These are innovative microneedles which do not contain drugs but imbibe interstitial …

Pursuing Cardioprotective Health Through Research, Sterling Giles

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Recent VCU Chemistry graduate Salma Omer and her team of fellow researchers discovered that the supplement Viagra, intended for treating erectile dysfunction, may protect the heart from diabetic damage and damage from excessive alcohol consumption.

Reimportation Of Prescription Drugs As Contributing Component To Patient Drug Adherence: A Qualitative-Grounded Theory Study, Jeffrey Tubbs

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Pharmaceutical drugs are one of the most socially important heath care products. They are part of many individuals' everyday lives, from the eradicating of diseases at birth to treating patients at the end of life. However, for many patients access is prevented due to expensive cost. This study explored cost-related non-adherence (CRN) and researched if reimportation of pharmaceutical drugs from other countries could increase patient drug adherence. The perceptions of 10 patients and 10 providers in Maine were assessed. Maine is the only state that allowed its citizens to purchase prescription drugs from abroad. The research questions addressed (a) how …

Applying The Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process To Immunization Services: A Resource Guide For Pharmacists, Albert Bach, Jeff Goad, Mitchel Rothholz, Brian Wall, Anne Burns, Liza Chapman, Jean-Venable “Kelly” R. Goode, Sheila Seed, Rebecca Snead

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

"This guidance document has been written and formatted to align comprehensive components of a pharmacy-based immunization patient encounter Collect Assess Plan Implement Follow-Up 6 American Pharmacists Association and recommendations from the National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) the Standards for Adult Immunization Practice with the original framework of the PPCP.5 The colored columns to the right throughout this document are the PPCP steps as they have been published by JCPP, and the main document text describes how to integrate each PPCP step into immunization services."

Compliance To The Consort Statement On Participant Flow Diagrams In Infectious Disease Randomized Clinical Trials, Onyeka P. Godwin, Brandon Dyson, Paul S. Lee, Soon Park, Euni Lee

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: The Consolidated Standard of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) Guidelines were developed to support adequate reporting of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Method: A systematic review was conducted including RCTs of infectious diseases published in the top general medical and infectious disease journals in 2010. The level of compliance to flow diagram and its association with the CONSORT endorsement by the journals were evaluated.

Results: A total of 67 studies were included in the analysis and a half of the studies were HIV/AIDS RCTs. About 78% of the studies included the flow diagram and 66% of the studies described …

Drug-Induced Cardiotoxicity Of Oncological Agents: Monitoring Parameters, Prevention, And Future Chemotherapy, Sarah Nguyen, Mary Nguyen, Laura Tsu

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The goal of this article is to educate pharmacists of the impact of cardiotoxicity on chemotherapy regimens including key cancer agents, monitoring parameters, prevention, and the future of chemotherapy.