RESUMO
Pressure sores are a serious but often avoidable problem. The best management plan focuses on early identification of high-risk patients, appropriate allocation of resources, and adequate techniques of pressure relief. A standardized treatment plan that is familiar to care givers should be followed. The clinician must correct all conditions that retard the healing process, including nutritional deficits and underlying medical problems. Multiple-drug therapy must be eliminated, and only established skin care protocols should be followed. Use of systemic antibiotics is reserved for complications, such as osteomyelitis, cellulitis, and sepsis.
Assuntos
Úlcera por Pressão/terapia , Idoso , Leitos , Desbridamento , Desinfetantes/uso terapêutico , Humanos , Úlcera por Pressão/prevenção & controle , Cicatrização , Infecção dos Ferimentos/etiologiaRESUMO
Antihypertensive therapy of a group of elderly patients in a long-term care facility was compared before and after the addition of a consultant pharmacist to the health care team. Criterion variables were systolic and diastolic pressure and drug cost and use. Consultant pharmacist protocol included drug history and monthly use review and pertinent communications regarding problems. Statistical analysis employed a t test with two-tailed probability. Both systolic (128.5 to 135 mm Hg) and diastolic pressure (68.9 to 72.3 mm Hg) were increased after 1 year, the number of patients with hypotensive readings decreased, and the average antihypertensive drug cost was decreased. The cost of potassium supplements was increased, however, fewer patients had abnormal potassium levels.
Assuntos
Uso de Medicamentos , Casas de Saúde , Equipe de Assistência ao Paciente , Farmacêuticos , Idoso , Anti-Hipertensivos/uso terapêutico , Estudos de Avaliação como Assunto , Georgia , HumanosRESUMO
The investigation described in this paper evaluated the effectiveness of written drug-therapy communications to family physicians working in a nursing home. Data analysis tracked the nature of the recommendation, as well as physician acceptance/rejection. The most frequent recommendations involved drug-level determinations, drug withdrawal and dosage modifications. The acceptance rate implied that clinically appropriate suggestions were made by the pharmacists. Communications between pharmacist and physician influenced clinical decisions. The study concluded that written recommendations of a pharmacist are an effective method of physician communication in a nursing home.