Nebulized medications in the emergency department: A narrative review of nontraditional agents.

PURPOSE: This article summarizes emerging nontraditional therapies administered via the nebulization route for use in the emergency department (ED). SUMMARY: Although traditional routes of medication administration (eg, intravenous) have been the mainstay of administration modalities for decades, these routes may not be appropriate for all patients. Nowhere is this more readily apparent than in the ED setting, where patients with a variety of presentations receive care. One unique route for medication administration that has increasingly gained popularity in the ED is that of aerosolized drug delivery. This route holds promise as direct delivery of medications to the site of action could yield a more rapid and effective therapeutic response while also minimizing systemic adverse effects by utilizing a fraction of the systemic dose. Medication administration via nebulization also provides an alternative that is conducive to rapid, less invasive access, which is advantageous in the emergent setting of the ED. This review is intended to analyze the existing literature regarding this route of administration, including the nuances that can impact drug efficacy, as well as the available literature regarding novel, noncommercial nebulized medication therapy given in the ED. CONCLUSION: Multiple medications have been investigated for administration via this route, and when implementing any of these therapies several practical considerations must be taken into account, from medication preparation to administration, to ensure optimal efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. The pharmacist is an essential bedside team member in these scenarios to assist with navigating unique and complex nuances of this therapy as they develop.

A Review of the Management of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis represent a spectrum of severe cutaneous adverse reactions that carry the potential for severe, long-term adverse effects, including death. Although medications are most commonly implicated in the development of these diseases, other factors, including infection and genetics, play a role. Management is generally supportive in nature and includes maintenance of the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation. Special disease considerations include the use of skin barrier management, unique infection prevention measures, and systemic immunomodulatory therapies.

Identification of Rate-Limiting Steps in the Provision of Thrombolytics for Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is the only pharmacotherapy shown to improve outcomes in acute ischemic stroke. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a door-to-needle (DTN) time of <60 minutes in at least 50% of patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the possible barriers that may delay tPA administration within the emergency department (ED) of an academic medical center. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted from February 2011 to October 2013. Patients were included if they were admitted through the ED with a diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke and received tPA. RESULTS: Of the 130 patients who met inclusion criteria, 43.1% received tPA in ≤60 minutes. Several factors were identified to be significantly different in those with a DTN time of >60 minutes-time to ED physician consultation, neurologist arrival, blood sample acquisition, and result time ( P < .05 for all comparisons). Correlation analysis demonstrated several independent variables associated with DTN time of ≤60 minutes-time from admission to ED physician consultation, receipt of computed tomography (CT) scan, blood sample acquisition, laboratory results, and neurology service arrival ( P < .05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSION: The findings from this study highlight the importance of prompt physician evaluation, direct transfer to the CT scanner, and a quick turnaround time on laboratory values. The development of protocols to ensure the rapid receipt of tPA therapy should focus on limiting any potential delay these steps may cause.