Posted by James
The withdrawal of cerivastatin (Baycol, Bayer) from the market for safety reasons posed a huge problem for P&T committees and all members of the health care team who uphold the safety of patients. It came in the face of a worldwide evolution to modern lifestyles that in the aggregate involve decreased exercise levels with a consequential rise in lipid levels. This rise in lipid levels puts into sharp focus the continued need to balance aggressive treatment for high lipid levels against the increased need to monitor the sometimes dire medical consequences of using this powerful class of medications. The purpose of this article is to address the proper balance between these two divergent foci.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by James
• Eliminate the use of infusion pumps without free-flow protection. Organizations that continue to utilize infusion pumps that do not have set-based free-flow protection should develop plans for purchasing free-flow protected devices. Pumps that allow free flow to occur represent a significant risk to patient safety and a liability to the hospital. Until such pumps can be eliminated from an organization, caregivers should be educated on the dangers of free flow. This education should include all employees who could come into direct contact with the patient (e.g., patient transport staff, radiology technicians).
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by James
• Designate a patient-safety officer and form a multidisciplinary patient-safety team.
Although it is important to stress that medication safety is the responsibility of all individuals involved in the medication-use process, supervision of the process should be delegated to a patient-safety officer. This individual should be charged with ensuring that medication-safety efforts are coordinated throughout the organization, across departments and committees. A multidisci-plinary team, reporting to the P&T committee (the team could be the P&T committee itself, in smaller facilities), should exist to promote medication-safety issues. Such a team must include front-line staff, management, and medical staff. A physician champion should be identified, as he/she is critical to gaining buy-in from medical staff.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by James
After the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its landmark report, ‘To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System,” the Delaware Valley Hospital Council (DVHC) began to consider programs that could enhance patient safety and quality of care in its member organizations. After deliberation, the DVHC decided to embark on a program that would assist member institutions by focusing on one critical aspect of patient safety—reducing medication errors. Through its charitable foundation affiliate, the Health Care Improvement Foundation, the DVHC partnered with two local organizations, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) and ECRI. This partnership has resulted in a unique and exceptional combination of access, knowledge, and technical assistance. Working collaboratively, the three organizations developed the Regional Medication Safety Program for Hospitals (RMSPH). Although many institutions were already working individually to enhance the quality of their services and improve patient safety, it was felt that the hospitals in the Delaware Valley region would benefit from this region-wide coordinated campaign.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by James
Gabapentin (canadian Neurontin Oral Solution)
Manufacturer: Pfizer, New York, NY
Indications: Neurontin is indicated for the management of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in adults. Drug Class: Gabapentin, 1-(aminomethyl)cyclohexaneacetic acid, is structurally related to the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) but does not modify GABAA or GABAB radioligand binding and does not inhibit GABA uptake or degradation.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by James
Tegaserod Maleate (Zelnorm drug) Tablets
Manufacturer: Novartis, East Hanover, NJ Indications: A drug used for the short-term treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women whose primary bowel symptom is constipation. Drug Class: A 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT4) receptor partial agonist that binds with high affinity at human 5-HT4 receptors, whereas it has no appreciable affinity for 5-HT3 or dopamine receptors. It has moderate affinity for 5-HT1 receptors.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by James
Have any of you been a patient, that is, an inpatient lately? Most of us, I’m sure, would prefer to be a provider rather than a patient! Patients are the ultimate captive audience. They’re tired, scared, often in pain, sometimes lonely, and usually desperate to go home. Now, in contrast, graft onto this situation the application of an existing technology promoted by a start-up firm that has the potential to revolutionize the tedium of an inpatient stay and, in turn, create the hospital room of the future.
Read the rest of this entry »