Impact of a Real-Time, Pharmacist-Led, Intensive Care Unit-Based Feedback Intervention on Analgesia and Sedation Quality Among Mechanically Ventilated Patients.

BACKGROUND: Consensus guidelines for pain, agitation, and delirium (PAD) in mechanically ventilated patients recommend maintaining a light level of sedation. LOCAL PROBLEM: Consistent attainment of target PAD assessments in mechanically ventilated ICU patients is often challenging. METHODS: This is a single-center, prospective study. INTERVENTIONS: In the intervention group, a pharmacist provided weekly feedback to nurses on their success in achieving target PAD assessments compared with a historical cohort without feedback. RESULTS: Overall, 478 patients and 205 nurses were included. The odds of having weekly Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) score, pain score goals, and Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) negative assessments at goal between the intervention and control groups fluctuated over time without a discernible trend. CONCLUSION: The provision of weekly feedback to nurses on PAD nursing assessments by a pharmacist did not impact the achievement of PAD goals among critically ill mechanically ventilated patients.

Nab-Paclitaxel and Carboplatin (Nab-PC) Regimen for Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

The complexity of cancer chemotherapy requires pharmacists be familiar with the complicated regimens and highly toxic agents used. This column reviews various issues related to preparation, dispensing, and administration of antineoplastic therapy, and the agents, both commercially available and investigational, used to treat malignant diseases. Questions or suggestions for topics should be addressed to Dominic A. Solimando, Jr, President, Oncology Pharmacy Services, Inc., 4201 Wilson Blvd #110-545, Arlington, VA 22203, e-mail: OncRxSvc@comcast.net; or J. Aubrey Waddell, Professor, University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy; Oncology Pharmacist, Pharmacy Department, Blount Memorial Hospital, 907 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804, e-mail: waddfour@charter.net.

Drug monographs: afatinib and obinutuzumab.

The complexity of cancer chemotherapy requires pharmacists be familiar with the complicated regimens and highly toxic agents used. This column reviews various issues related to preparation, dispensing, and administration of antineoplastic therapy, and the agents, both commercially available and investigational, used to treat malignant diseases. Questions or suggestions for topics should be addressed to Dominic A. Solimando, Jr, President, Oncology Pharmacy Services, Inc., 4201 Wilson Boulevard #110-545, Arlington, VA 22203, e-mail: OncRxSvc@comcast.net or J. Aubrey Waddell, Professor, University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy; Oncology Pharmacist, Pharmacy Department, Blount Memorial Hospital, 907 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804, e-mail: waddfour@charter.net.