June 17th 2021
The COX-2 inhibitor Anjeso, a faster-acting injectable formulation of meloxicam, reduces opioid use after surgery.
November 18th 2014
June 13th 2013
June 12th 2013
Automatic IV to PO conversion process provides greatest gains for hospital, patient
March 1st 2002Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT-Although the economic advantages of IV to oral (PO) antibiotic conversion programs have been documented in numerous studies, most of these programs require physician contact to encourage the switch.
Assessing the impact of outcomes projects: Take your lead from the AHRQ approach (PDF)
March 1st 2002To retain resources or to justify allocation of additional resources, it's essential to demonstrate the value that outcomes projects bring to organizations. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's project review process serves as a useful model for how to do so. This month's column explores the AHRQ process for following up and communicating the results of outcomes projects conducted at various practice settings.
Warfarin plus aspirin no better than aspirin alone after MI
March 1st 2002Contraryto hypothetical additive benefits, a combination of aspirin and warfarinappears to be no more effective than aspirin alone for preventing vascularevents and death after acute myocardial infarction (MI). So concludes arandomized, open-label Department of Veterans Affairs study in 5,059 post-MIpatients.
Review and assessment of pharmacologic management strategies for reflux esophagitis (PDF)
March 1st 2002Pharmacologic therapy is the second cornerstone of the medical management of reflux esophagitis. Because the merits of various drug classes for reflux esophagitis have been widely discussed, the focus of this article is on differing strategies for using these classes. The management strategies - and the rationale and evidence for promoting or rejecting them - are discussed for step-up therapy, empiric therapy, ste-down therapy, on-demand proton pump inhibitor use, combination therapies, and other considerations.
Success of a P & T policy for use of a second ACE inhibitor before switching to an ARB (PDF)
February 1st 2002VA Medical Center, Miami-ACE inhibitor therapy is recognized as the gold standard treatment for congestive heart failure (CHF) as well as diabetic nephropathy due to its effect on the morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions.
Huge meta-analysis refines role of antiplatelet therapy in high-risk patients
February 1st 2002This 287-study meta-analysis aimed to address unanswered questions about antiplatelet therapy in patients at high risk for occlusive vascular events. It yielded several new findings or clarifications, including these: (1) Antiplatelets protect against vascular events in patients with unstable angina, intermittent claudication, and atrial fibrillation. (2) Antiplatelet therapy can be started promptly during acute ischemic stroke and continued long-term. (3) Daily aspirin doses of 75 to 150 mg seem to be as effective as higher doses for long-term treatment.
UTI scripts trend away from drug of choice
February 1st 2002Fluoroquinolones and nitrofurantoin have surpassed trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) as the most frequently prescribed antibiotics for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women, according to a new national analysis. This is despite well-established recommendations (from the Infectious Disease Society of America and others) that TMP-SMZ is the drug of choice for UTIs due to cost and concerns about antibiotic resistance.
Study cautions against overtreatment when adopting new NCEP III guidelines
February 1st 2002Clinicians must use caution in adopting newly revised national guidelines for treating elevated cholesterol, concludes a new study from the University of Maryland Pharmaceutical Health Services Research Department.
Investigational antiviral reduces duration, eases severity of viral respiratory infections
February 1st 2002An experimental antiviral medication can shorten the duration of colds and reduce the severity of cold symptoms, reported Frederick Hayden, MD. He presented a pooled analysis of data from two phase III trials of the drug at the 41st annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), held recently in Chicago.
Update on the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy (PDF)
February 1st 2002Emerging data are continually refining our understanding of the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women. This review assesses the current state of evidence on these various risks and benefits, concluding with an outline of what's established and where varying degrees of uncertainty remain. Algorithms for use of HRT for several established indications are featured.
Success of a P & T policy for use of a second ACE inhibitor before switching to an ARB
February 1st 2002VA Medical Center, Miami-ACE inhibitor therapy is recognized as the gold standard treatment for congestive heart failure (CHF) as well as diabetic nephropathy due to its effect on the morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions.