In this episode I’ll share how I approach a “Pharmacy Pain Consult” at my hospital. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher I’ll discuss how I titrate opioid doses when the patient has risk factors for respiratory depression. I’ll also share the 4 most common fixes to inadequate pain management. I was talking with Andrew, one of our […]
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Episode 27: Dexmedetomidine drug fever, the SPLIT trial on saline vs. Plasmalyte, and a useful resource to stay current with medical literature
In this episode I will: 1. Review an article about the choice of IV fluids in ICU patients 2. Answer a drug information question: “Have you seen dexmedetomidine drug fever?” 3. Share a free resource I use to stay updated with medical literature Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher Article Effect of a Buffered Crystalloid Solution vs […]
Episode 26: 2015 Cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines update
The American Heart Association cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines have been updated for 2015! There are some interesting changes to the guidelines that pharmacists should know about and I’ll summarize them for you in this episode. Subscribe on iTunes, Android, or Stitcher I strongly recommend that any pharmacist who is involved in responding to medical emergencies read […]
Episode 25: How to dose naloxone for opioid reversal
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 […]