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pharmacypracticenews.com
The Pharmacist’s News Source Edition Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy
Volume 377 • Number 11 • November 2010
Printer-friendly versions available online
Strength in Numbers
Studies: Teamwork Yields Best Results For Chronic Illness
in this issue Ongoing Drug Shortages Place Up Front
Patients, Hospitals at Risk: ISMP
Awards ASHP literature award winners profiled.
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Clinical
Medication Safety
see COLLABORATION, page 32
Infectious Disease
Students help remove unused drugs from community.
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Research News Hormone therapy slows metastatic prostate cancer.
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Hemonc Pharmacy Pediatric center offers its oncology informatics tips.
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Operations & Mgmt
Leadership in Action Communication, empathy and emotional intelligence.
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Technology Automation, education help boost vaccinations.
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Educational Reviews
Treatment Options in HIV
Dollars and Sense Of Anticoagulation: Pharmacists Crucial
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Managing IV Iron Antimicrobial Stewardship
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PPN Embraces Bar Codes
Austin, Texas—Handing over the management of outpatient anticoagulation therapy to pharmacists is known to help physicians maximize valuable time and patient outcomes. Now, a study recently presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy suggests that implementing such a service also may significantly reduce health care costs. Researchers counted nearly $700,000 in savings for 175 patients who used the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s
Look for smart phone– enabled 2D bar codes in this issue to access Web-exclusive content.
see DOLLARS, page 40
H
ospital drug shortages have become a national al crisis, straining pharmacy resources and d threatening patient safety, according to o a Medication Safety Alert recently released eased by the Institute for Safe Medication tion Practices (ISMP). The ISMP P report, based on a July to September ber survey of more than 1,800 health care practitioners—68% 8% of them pharmacists—painted ts—painted an alarming picture of pharmacy directors and others scrambling to find d substitutes for widely dely used surgical and d critical care injectable able drugs and certain antibiotics. that have become come unavailIn some cases, survey respondents able withoutt warning or noted, patients died as a result of not explanation. getting the best available drug in a Among the he key timely manner. drugs and categoThe respondents expressed grave ries reported ed in concerns about their inability to get critically short information about the cause of the supply were proposhortages or how long the shortages fol, neuromuscular uscular would last. They reported that they blocking agents, nts, morhad difficulties obtaining suitable phine, epinephrine, phrine heparin, chemotherapy agents, fosphenytoin see DRUG SHORTAGES, page 12
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$700,000 in savings documented
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McMahon Publishing
Austin, Texas—By closely collaborating with physicians and other clinicians, pharmacists can more effectively treat and stabilize chronic conditions and potentially save some money in the process, according to findings from several research abstracts presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). In three of the studies, researchers evaluated a mix of medical conditions and collaboration strategies, including both pharmacy-led clinics and pharmacists practicing as part of larger teams. In one study, a heart failure disease management program resulted in a reduction of 53% in 30-day hospital readmissions. In
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For directions, see Editor’s Note, page 3
WWW.CMEZONE.COM
Clinical and Pharmacoeconomic Evaluation of Thrombin-Containing Products in the Hospital Setting See insert after page 20.
FDA Heeds Advisory Panel, OKs Pradaxa for Stroke in AF Patients
T
he FDA has approved r roved dabigatran etexilatee to reduce the risk for stroke o oke and systemic emboluss in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The decision follows an n FDA advisory committee’s e ee’s unanimous vote to approve ove dabigatran dabigatran, which has been widely touted as a long overdue alternative to warfarin, in part
because the new oral be e direct thrombin inhibid ttor does not require anticoagulation moniaan toring. But obviating the tor ri need for f such testing could drawbacks, sevhave serious see with expertise eral pharmacists pharrm in anticoagulation therapy told anticoa Pharmacy Practice News.
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see PRADAXA, page 44
New Products New temperature monitoring software from Isensix See page
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Medi-Dose/EPS introduces LiquiDose Flag and Receipt Labels See page
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