A Coordinated and Multidisciplinary Strategy can Reduce the Time for Antibiotics in Septic Patients at a University Hospital.

Objectives: We carried out this work with the aim of assessing the effectiveness of a set of interventions over time for the administration of antibiotics. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: Patients admitted to the emergency room and ICU of the hospital where the study was conducted are evaluated daily for some sociodemographic and clinical variables. Among them are some quality indicators, such as the time between the diagnosis of sepsis or septic shock until the start of the infusion of antibiotics. This indicator reflects several aspects related to a set of assistance measures (adequacy of antibiotic dispensation, rapid response team (RRT), sepsis care quality improvement program, antimicrobial management program, improvements in emergency department assistance). Patients or participants: Patients with sepsis or septic shock were admitted to the ICU of a university and public hospital in southern Brazil. Main variables of interest: The time between the diagnosis of sepsis or septic shock and the beginning of the infusion of antibiotics. Results: Between 2013 and 2018, 1676 patients were evaluated. The mean time for antibiotic infusion decreased from 6.1 ± 8.6 hours to 1.7 ± 2.9 hours (p < 0.001). The percentage of patients who received antibiotics in the first hour increased from 20.7 to 59.0% (p < 0.001). Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated that a set of actions adopted in a large tertiary hospital was associated with decreased time to start antibiotic therapy in septic patients. How to cite this article: Moraes RB, Haas JS, Vidart J, Nicolaidis R, Deutschendorf C, Moretti MMS, et al. A Coordinated and Multidisciplinary Strategy can Reduce the Time for Antibiotics in Septic Patients at a University Hospital. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(7):465-469.

Association between prolonged corticosteroids use in COVID-19 and increased mortality in hospitalized patients: a retrospective study with inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated a beneficial effect of early use of corticosteroids in patients with COVID-19. This study aimed to compare hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who received short-course corticosteroid treatment with those who received prolonged-course corticosteroid treatment to determine whether prolonged use of corticosteroids improves clinical outcomes, including mortality. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study including adult patients with positive testing for Sars-CoV-2 hospitalized for more than 10 days. Data were obtained from electronic medical records. Patients were divided into two groups, according to the duration of treatment with corticosteroids: a short-course (10 days) and a prolonged-course (longer than 10 days) group. Inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis was used to evaluate whether prolonged use of corticosteroids improved outcomes. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were hospital infection and the association of different doses of corticosteroids with hospital mortality. Restricted cubic splines were used to assess the nonlinear association between mortality and dose and duration of corticosteroids use. RESULTS: We enrolled 1,539 patients with COVID-19. Among them, 1127 received corticosteroids for more than 10 days (prolonged-course group). The in-hospital mortality was higher in patients that received prolonged course corticosteroids (39.5% vs. 26%, p < 0.001). The IPTW revealed that prolonged use of corticosteroids significantly increased mortality [relative risk (RR) = 1.52, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.24-1.89]. In comparison to short course treatment, the cubic spline analysis showed an inverted U-shaped curve for mortality, with the highest risk associated with the prolonged use at 30 days (RR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.21-1.78). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged course of treatment with corticosteroids in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 was associated with higher mortality.

The pharmaceutical care bundle: development and evaluation of an instrument for inpatient monitoring

Introduction: Care bundles help healthcare professionals provide the best care possible in a structured and reliable way. The purpose of this study was to develop and apply an instrument for inpatient follow-up by clinical pharmacists, and evaluate its results. Methods: The care bundle was based on previously validated instruments. Population consisted of patients monitored by clinical pharmacists at a general hospital. The study was conducted in two phases: the first involved the development and implementation of the bundle, and the evaluation of pharmaceutical interventions; the second involved analyzing data from patients treated with the bundle over one year. Results: The bundle included fourteen pharmaceutical follow-up criteria used in different patterns by each area of care. In the first phase of the study, 3263 patients were monitored and 536 pharmaceutical interventions were performed, with an 85.3% compliance rate. In the second phase of the study, follow-up data was collected from 21,214 patients. The bundle criteria were used in a similar way in clinical, surgical and cancer patients. Pharmacotherapy review was the most prevalent intervention in all cases (60.1%). Hospital discharge planning and medication reconciliation were performed with a similar frequency in clinical, surgical, pediatric and general patients. Conclusions: The development and validation of a bundle aimed at guiding the clinical activities of pharmacists helped standardize procedures and interventions. Pharmacotherapy review was the bundle criterion with the highest rate of application and interventions due to the hospital's complexity and the need to consider individual patient needs and follow institutional policies. (AU)

Drug incompatibilities in the adult intensive care unit of a university hospital. / Incompatibilidades medicamentosas em centro de tratamento intensivo adulto de um hospital universitário.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to identify the physical and chemical incompatibilities among the drugs administered intravenously to patients admitted to an adult intensive care unit. We also aimed to establish pharmaceutical guidelines for administering incompatible drugs. METHODS: This cross-sectional, prospective, and quantitative study was conducted from July to September 2015. Drug incompatibilities were identified based on an analysis of the patient prescriptions available in the hospital online management system. A pharmaceutical intervention was performed using the guidelines on the preparation and administration of incompatible drugs. Adherence to those guidelines was subsequently assessed among the nursing staff. RESULTS: A total of 100 prescriptions were analyzed; 68 were incompatible with the intravenous drugs prescribed. A total of 271 drug incompatibilities were found, averaging 4.0 ± 3.3 incompatibilities per prescription. The most commonly found drug incompatibilities were between midazolam and hydrocortisone (8.9%), between cefepime and midazolam (5.2%), and between hydrocortisone and vancomycin (5.2%). The drugs most commonly involved in incompatibilities were midazolam, hydrocortisone, and vancomycin. The most common incompatibilities occurred when a drug was administered via continuous infusion and another was administered intermittently (50%). Of the 68 prescriptions that led to pharmaceutical guidelines, 45 (66.2%) were fully adhered to by the nursing staff. CONCLUSION: Patients under intensive care were subjected to a high rate of incompatibilities. Drug incompatibilities can be identified and eliminated by the pharmacist on the multidisciplinary team, thereby reducing undesirable effects among patients.

Incompatibilidades medicamentosas em centro de tratamento intensivo adulto de um hospital universitário / Drug incompatibilities in the adult intensive care unit of a university hospital

RESUMO Objetivos: Identificar as incompatibilidades físico-químicas entre medicamentos administrados por via intravenosa em pacientes internados em um centro de tratamento intensivo adulto, bem como realizar orientações farmacêuticas para a administração de medicamentos incompatíveis. Métodos: Estudo transversal, prospectivo, de caráter quantitativo, realizado no período de julho a setembro de 2015. As incompatibilidades foram identificadas a partir da análise das prescrições dos pacientes disponíveis no sistema on-line do hospital. Foi realizada uma intervenção farmacêutica por meio de orientações quanto à preparação e à administração dos medicamentos incompatíveis. Após, verificou-se a adesão dessas orientações por parte da equipe da enfermagem. Resultados: Foram analisadas 100 prescrições; destas, 68 apresentaram incompatibilidade entre os medicamentos intravenosos prescritos. Foram encontradas 271 incompatibilidades, com média de 4,0 ± 3,3 incompatibilidades por prescrição. As incompatibilidades mais frequentes foram entre midazolam e hidrocortisona (8,9%), cefepime e midazolam (5,2%) e hidrocortisona e vancomicina (5,2%). Os medicamentos mais envolvidos em incompatibilidades foram o midazolam, a hidrocortisona e a vancomicina. As incompatibilidades foram mais frequentes entre um medicamento administrado por infusão contínua com outro de forma intermitente (50%). Das 68 prescrições que geraram orientação farmacêutica, 45 (66,2%) foram totalmente realizadas pela equipe de enfermagem. Conclusão: Os pacientes em cuidados intensivos estiveram sujeitos a uma elevada ocorrência de incompatibilidades. As incompatibilidades medicamentosas podem ser identificadas e evitadas com a presença do farmacêutico na equipe multidisciplinar, diminuindo a ocorrência de efeitos indesejáveis ao paciente.

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study sought to identify the physical and chemical incompatibilities among the drugs administered intravenously to patients admitted to an adult intensive care unit. We also aimed to establish pharmaceutical guidelines for administering incompatible drugs. Methods: This cross-sectional, prospective, and quantitative study was conducted from July to September 2015. Drug incompatibilities were identified based on an analysis of the patient prescriptions available in the hospital online management system. A pharmaceutical intervention was performed using the guidelines on the preparation and administration of incompatible drugs. Adherence to those guidelines was subsequently assessed among the nursing staff. Results: A total of 100 prescriptions were analyzed; 68 were incompatible with the intravenous drugs prescribed. A total of 271 drug incompatibilities were found, averaging 4.0 ± 3.3 incompatibilities per prescription. The most commonly found drug incompatibilities were between midazolam and hydrocortisone (8.9%), between cefepime and midazolam (5.2%), and between hydrocortisone and vancomycin (5.2%). The drugs most commonly involved in incompatibilities were midazolam, hydrocortisone, and vancomycin. The most common incompatibilities occurred when a drug was administered via continuous infusion and another was administered intermittently (50%). Of the 68 prescriptions that led to pharmaceutical guidelines, 45 (66.2%) were fully adhered to by the nursing staff. Conclusion: Patients under intensive care were subjected to a high rate of incompatibilities. Drug incompatibilities can be identified and eliminated by the pharmacist on the multidisciplinary team, thereby reducing undesirable effects among patients.

Análise de incompatibilidades de medicamentos intravenosos no centro de tratamento intensivo adulto do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre / Analysis of intravenous drug incompatibilities at the adult intensive care unit of Hospital de Clínicas of Porto Alegre

Introdução: As incompatibilidades medicamentosas quando ocorrem são consideradas erro de medicação, e o produto resultante pode afetar a eficácia e a segurança da terapia, sendo que conhecer seus fundamentos pode ajudar a prevenir sua ocorrência diminuindo, assim, seus riscos. Objetivos: Identificar e quantificar as incompatibilidades físico-químicas entre medicamentos administrados através da via intravenosa em pacientes internados no Centro de Tratamento Intensivo (CTI) do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), observar a possibilidade de orientações farmacêuticas para a administração dos medicamentos incompatíveis. Métodos: Estudo transversal, no qual foram avaliadas as prescrições de Março a Maio de 2010, a partir dos prontuários eletrônicos, verificando a ocorrência de incompatibilidades medicamentosas entre as formas farmacêuticas intravenosas. Foi realizada uma intervenção farmacêutica por meio de orientações quanto à administração dos medicamentos identificados como incompatíveis. Resultados: Foram analisadas 65 prescrições médicas, destas 51 apresentaram incompatibilidade entre os medicamentos. A média de medicamentos intravenosos foi de sete (DP±1,6) por prescrição. Foram identificadas 177 incompatibilidades entre 35 medicamentos diferentes, que levaram a 71 possibilidades de interação. Os medicamentos mais envolvidos nas incompatibilidades foram o Midazolam (18,1%) e a Insulina (10,5%). As incompatibilidades mais encontradas foram entre Midazolam e Piperacilina+Tazobactam (9,6%) e entre Insulina e Noradrenalina (7,9%). Das 51 prescrições que geraram orientação farmacêutica, 13 destas puderam ser realizadas pela equipe de enfermagem. Conclusão: As incompatibilidades medicamentosas podem ser identificadas e evitadas com a presença do farmacêutico na unidade de internação, diminuindo a ocorrência de efeitos indesejáveis ao paciente.

Background: Drug incompatibilities are considered medication errors and their result may affect the effectiveness and safety of treatment. Knowing the reasons for drug incompatibilities can help prevent their occurrence, thus reducing their risks. Aims: To identify and quantify physical-chemical incompatibilities between medications administered intravenously to patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Hospital das Clínicas of Porto Alegre (HCPA), and to observe the possibility of pharmaceutical instructions for the administration of incompatible drugs. Methods: Cross-sectional study in which prescriptions from March to May 2010 were evaluated using electronic medical charts, verifying the occurrence of medication incompatibilities between intravenous pharmaceutical forms. A pharmaceutical intervention was conducted using instructions for the administration of those medications identified as incompatible. Results: Sixty-five medical prescriptions were analyzed, 51 of which with incompatibility between drugs. The mean number of intravenous medications was seven (SD±1.6) per prescription. A total of 177 incompatibilities were identified among 35 different drugs, which led to 71 possibilities of interaction. The drugs most often involved in incompatibilities were midazolam (18.1%) and insulin (10.5%). The most common incompatibilities found were between midazolam and piperacillin + tazobactam (9.6%) and between insulin and noradrenalin (7.9%). Of the 51 prescriptions that generated pharmaceutical instructions, 13 could be performed by the nursing team. Conclusion: Drug incompatibilities can be identified and avoided with the presence of the pharmacist at hospital admission units, reducing the occurrence of undesirable effects on patients.

Implementação de um programa para evitar possíveis interações fármaco-alimento em pacientes adultos internados em unidades clínicas e cirúrgicas de um hospital universitário / Implementation of a program to prevent possible drug-food interactions in adult patients hospitalized in the clinical and surgical units of a university hospital

Introdução: As interações fármaco-alimento (IFA) são definidas como alterações produzidas nos efeitos terapêuticos de um medicamento em razão da ingestão concomitante de alimento. Objetivo: Identificar prescrições médicas com possíveis IFA dos pacientes internados no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) e orientar o corpo clínico quanto aos horários adequados de administração dos medicamentos. Métodos: O estudo analisou, entre fevereiro e julho de 2006, 2.645 prescrições de pacientes adultos internados nas unidades clínicas e cirúrgicas do HCPA e que recebiam dieta oral. Resultados: Observou-se que 54,5% (1.442) das prescrições apresentavam potenciais IFA. Nesses casos, as equipes assistenciais recebiam, através de notificação em prontuário médico, informações sobre os medicamentos que necessitavam de intervalo de jejum para garantir sua máxima biodisponibilidade. Conclusão: A alta incidência de prescrições contendo medicamentos possíveis de interagir com os alimentos demonstra a necessidade de um sistema que disponibilize, sistematicamente, as orientações relacionadas à correta administração dos medicamentos.

Background: Drug-food interactions (DFI) are defined as alterations produced in the therapeutic effects of a drug due to concomitant food ingestion. Objective: To identify medical prescriptions with possible DFI in patients hospitalized at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) and to provide guidance to the clinical staff about the appropriate time for drug administration. Methods: Between February and July 2006, we analyzed 2,645 prescriptions of adult inpatients receiving oral diet. Results: We found that 54.5% (1,442) of the prescriptions had potential DFI. In such cases, the medical staff was receiving information about the drugs that needed a fasting interval to ensure maximum bioavailability by means of notifications in medical records. Conclusions: The high incidence of prescriptions with possible DFI shows the need for a system that provides systematic guidance regarding the adequate administration of drugs.

Encefalopatia por cefepima / Cefepime-induced encephalopathy

A cefepima é um antimicrobiano da classe das cefalosporinas de quarta geração, prescritapara muitas infecções consideradas graves. Os efeitos adversos que mais chamam a atençãosão os que envolvem o sistema nervoso central, relatados como encefalopatia por cefepima. Odiagnóstico dessa enfermidade deve ser rápido, e a interrupção da droga, imediata.

Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic commonly prescribed for severeinfections. Its most serious adverse effects, known as cefepime-induced encephalopathy, involvethe central nervous system. This disorder must be quickly diagnosed and the drug suspendedimmediately.