When it comes to direct antidotes for drug toxicity, there are only a handful. In this episode, I’ll talk about how to dose naloxone (Narcan) including when to give a lot and when to give just a little bit. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Naloxone is a pure opioid antagonist that competes with and displaces […]
Episode 24: Mechanical ventilation tips for pharmacists
I’m excited to have my first guest here on The Elective Rotation Podcast. In this episode we’ll be talking with one of the most talented and patient focused respiratory therapists I know. He is also a tremendous advocate for bedside pharmacy services in emergency situations, and he spends a considerable amount of time helping to train […]
Episode 23: Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of medical tests
In this episode, I’ll give real world patient care examples of how to remember and apply the concepts of sensitivity, specificity and predictive value as they relate to medical tests. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher I struggled with remembering these concepts for a long time. Then I learned about the mnemonics SpPINS and SnOUTS […]
Episode 22: Treatment of acute methemoglobinemia – Critical Care Pharmacy Podcast
Methemoglobinemia is a potentially life-threatening form of functional anemia. There are two types of methemoglobinemia – congenital and acquired. In this episode I’ll discuss the recognition and treatment of acquired methemoglobinemia. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Background Methemoglobin is formed when the ferrous irons of heme are oxidized to the ferric state. The ferric […]
Episode 21: How to participate and give pharmacy recommendations on ICU rounds
In episode 20, I discussed how I prepare for ICU rounds. In this episode I’ll be talking about how ICU rounds are structured and how I participate in ICU rounds, including when and how I present my recommendations. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher For context, know that I am in a 20-bed community hospital […]
Episode 20: Preparation for ICU rounds on a critical care pharmacy rotation
In this episode, I’ll discuss how to prepare for ICU rounds on a critical care pharmacy rotation. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Most of my pharmacy students are surprised that I look at medications last in my pre-rounding review of ICU patients. I am constantly tweaking and improving my method for pre-rounding on ICU […]
Episode 19: When and how to write a pharmacy progress note
In this episode I’ll share the decision making process I use to decide when and how to write a pharmacy progress note. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher When to write a pharmacy progress note? Not all communication is appropriate for a progress note. There are 3 main ways that I communicate with other members […]
Episode 18: Sedation of the acutely agitated patient when intubation is prohibited
In this episode the methods I am going to discuss in this episode are not first line or even second line therapies for controlling acute agitation. I use them rarely – as in a few times per year or less. But in some difficult situations they are like having an Ace up your sleeve! Subscribe on […]
Episode 17: When to IV push alteplase for massive PE
In this episode, I’ll cover when, why, and how to give alteplase for massive pulmonary embolism (PE). I’ll also touch on bleeding risk and whether to stop or continue the heparin infusion while you give the alteplase. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher First, let’s define massive PE. Massive pulmonary embolism is present when a […]
Episode 16: How to use ketamine in the critical care setting
In this episode, I’ll highlight the key points that set ketamine apart from other sedatives & analgesics and discuss how to use ketamine in the critical care setting. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher There is a lot of buzz around the use of ketamine in the critical care setting, and for good reason. But […]
Episode 15: Pharmacist assisted intubation
If one of us is not already at the bedside, pharmacists at my institution are frequently called by critical care providers to assist with intubation procedures in critically ill patients. In this episode I’ll review the pharmacists’ role and expectations during intubation of critically ill patients. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher We’ll cover the […]
Episode 14: Sux vs Roc AND Roc Doesn’t Rock Unless A Pharmacist is in the House
In this episode, I’ll first review how Sux and Roc stack up in terms of onset, duration, efficacy, and safety. Then, I’ll explain the reason why Roc only rocks when you, Pharmacy Nation, are around. This discussion will be framed around the urgent need to establish an airway in a critical care setting. Elective and preoperative airway […]