In this episode I’ll: 1. Discuss an article about antibiotic de-escalation in septic patients. 2. Answer the drug information question “Is linezolid ever bacteriocidal?” 3. Share a resource about financial advice for pharmacists by a pharmacist. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher The article for this episode recently appeared in a weekly literature digest for […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss three different pain assessments to use in ICU patients who are unable to verbally communicate pain. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher The use of pain assessments for patients who are unable to verbally communicate are recommended in the SCCM Pain, Agitation & Delirium Guidelines. There are 3 main pain […]

In this episode I’ll: 1. Discuss an article about antimicrobial stewardship and empiric antibiotic timing. 2. Answer the drug information question “Should a patient on apixaban at home who presents with massive PE receive thrombolytic therapy?” 3. Share a resource for infectious disease pharmacotherapy. Thursday April 6, 2017 members of my Critical Care Pharmacy Academy will […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss the IDSA Healthcare-Associated Ventriculitis and Meningitis Guidelines. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher These guidelines were published in February 2017 Empiric therapy For empiric therapy in healthcare-associated ventriculitis and meningitis, select an agent that has CNS penetration and bacteriocidal activity against MRSA and pseudomonas. This will ensure coverage against the […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss the recent study of vitamin C, hydrocortisone, and thiamine for severe sepsis and septic shock. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Article Hydrocortisone, Vitamin C and Thiamine for the Treatment of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: A Retrospective Before-After Study Lead author: Paul E. Marik Published in Chest December 2016 […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss double anaerobic coverage. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Anaerobic pathogens Anaerobic pathogens are found in the mouth and the lower gastrointestinal tract. Oral anaerobes are the gram positives Peptococcus and Peptostreptococcus. Intestinal anaerobes are Fusobacterium, Prevotella melaninogenica, and more commonly Bacteroides fragilis. Oral anaerobes are easily covered with penicillins […]

In this episode I’ll: 1. Discuss an article about the effectiveness of conivaptan and tolvaptan in neurocritically ill patients. 2. Answer the drug information question “Is concomitant carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine therapy always a therapeutic duplication?” 3. Share a resource that helps justify alternate dosing schedules for meropenem and cefepime. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss medications commonly tapered in the ICU. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Three classes of medications that are frequently considered for tapering in the ICU are: -Corticosteroids -Opioids -Benzodiazepines For each of these classes, I will cover why, when, and how to taper them: Corticosteroids Why taper corticosteroids Corticosteroids are […]

In this episode I’ll: 1. Discuss an article about the anticoagulant reversal agent ciraparantag / PER977. 2. Answer the drug information question “How can serum sodium be re-lowered if hyponatremia is corrected too fast?” 3. Share a resource about intranasal medication delivery. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Article Single-dose ciraparantag safely and completely reverses […]

In this episode, I’ll discuss whether selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) should be discontinued in the setting of active bleeding. I am excited to announce that I have teamed up with the Wegman’s School of Pharmacy St. John Fisher College to offer ACPE Continuing Education credit for listeners of […]

In this episode I’ll: 1. Discuss an article on push-dose norepinephrine. 2. Answer the drug information question “What is the dose of methylene blue for cardiac surgery related vasoplegia?” 3. Share a resource for hereditary angioedema.   Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher The article for this episode recently appeared in a weekly literature digest […]