Allied health applications of a computerized clinical log database system.

Preliminary research in the development and use of computerized clinical log records began in 1987 in an allied health college at a midwestern academic health center. This article reviews development and implementation of a computerized system for managing clinical log records to improve and enhance allied health educational programs in the radiation sciences. These clinical log databases are used for quantitative and qualitative analyses of student participation in clinical procedures, and educational planning for each student. Collecting and recording data from clinical log records serves as a valuable instructional tool for students, with both clinical and didactic applications.

Pharmacist provided education and counseling for managing pediatric asthma.

A program to promote and assess the provision of family directed counseling by pharmacists on the understanding of pediatric asthma is discussed. The program consisted of two questionnaires separated by an educational intervention program. The initial questionnaire was developed to evaluate participants' understanding of asthma and its management. The aim of the intervention program was to improve this understanding through counseling, demonstration, and sharing of families' experiences with asthma. The second questionnaire assessed post-intervention knowledge including short-term retention of information. Before the intervention, few participants (14%) indicated that they were counseled by a pharmacist about the safe and effective use of asthma medications. Seventy-nine percent indicated that more information would aid them in better understanding asthma and possibly better controlling their child's illness. After the intervention, participants were able to correctly answer questions about asthma and medications used to manage the disease 78% of the time. This program offers one method for pharmacists to become involved in patient care through the provision of education and counseling. It also provides an avenue to encourage patients and their families to gain a deeper understanding of asthma and its management.

Selecting OTC products for coughs and colds.

The cold season offers many opportunities for the pharmacist to help patients select appropriate products. Actively exercising this opportunity can bring professional satisfaction and strengthen the pharmacist-patient bond.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is an acute inflammatory eruption of the skin and mucous membranes. Presented here is a case of an 18-month-old child admitted to the hospital with raised erythematous rash with some vesicular formation. The rash and associated symptomatology developed in a manner consistent with SJS. The child was treated for 27 days and was discharged in a much improved condition. This syndrome is reviewed in regard to incidence, etiology, clinical features, and management. Of particular emphasis are the drugs that may precipitate this syndrome.

Unit dose erythromycin ophthalmic ointment for neonatal ocular prophylaxis.

Silver nitrate solution has been used since the 1880s for newborn prophylaxis against Neisseria gonorrhoeae ocular infections. Recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control state that erythromycin and tetracycline ophthalmic products may serve as alternatives to silver nitrate solution. The selection of erythromycin ophthalmic ointment offers the advantage of antimicrobial activity against Chlamydia trachomatis and is not associated with the chemical conjunctivitis often seen with silver nitrate solutions. The only commercially available form of erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is a 3.5-gm tube. Repackaging the ointment into tuberculin syringes reduces the cost to the patient and provides the nurse with a more convenient method of administering the ointment to the neonate.

Nonprescription drug use among hospitalized pediatric patients.

The parents of pediatric patients were questioned regarding the use and selection of nonprescription drugs for their children. A questionnaire was distributed to the parents of 200 hospitalized pediatric patients. It gathered information on nonprescription drug use during the six-month and one-week periods before hospitalization, the importance of various sources of advice regarding the need to self-medicate, and the sources of product information and the factors influencing product selection. One hundred sixty questionnaires were returned. Almost all of the children (97.5%) were self-medicated by their parents within the six-month period before hospital admission. Only 21% of the parents usually sought advice before deciding to self-medicate their children. Physician recommendations were noted as an important factor in the selection of a nonprescription product, followed an importance by pharmacists and then other health-care professionals. Professional recommendations all ranked higher than other recommendation sources, such as television, radio, or printed advertisements. Pharmacists should take a more active role in aiding parents in their decision to self-medicate their children.

Treatment of psoriasis.

The disease of psoriasis is examined as to its incidence, etiology, clinical manifestations, and possible complications. Drugs that might cause dermatotoxic effects are introduced as possible agents that might precede an acute attack. Topical therapy, the initial approach with most forms of mild to moderate psoriasis, may consist of glucocorticoids, keratolytics, anthralin, or coal tar. These agents may be used alone, in a standardized treatment regimen, or in combination with modifications of the standardized approach. Advantages, disadvantages, and clinical efficacy of the topical agents are reviewe. Systemic therapy is commonly reserved for those psoriatic cases that are severe or have proven refractory to topical therapy. The systemic agents are reviewed for clinical efficacy and toxicity. The oral psoralens in combination with long ultraviolet light are examined as one of the newest treatment approaches.