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OBJECTIVES: Cefepime and ceftazidime are alternatives to cefotaxime for management of Gram-negative infections in neonates. The objective was to evaluate neonatal outcomes when receiving cefepime or ceftazidime. METHODS: This was a single center, retrospective analysis of neonates exposed to at least 24 hours of cefepime or ceftazidime between June 1, 2018, and June 1, 2021. The primary outcome was incidence of culture-positive, late-onset sepsis after initial exposure. Secondary outcomes included culture-negative, respiratory, urinary tract, and resistant infections; necrotizing enterocolitis; length of stay; age at discharge; mortality; and adverse effects. RESULTS: A total of 105 neonates were included (cefepime, n = 50; ceftazidime, n = 55). Baseline characteristics were similar except more cumulative days of antibiotics (25.0 [IQR, 9.3-47.0] versus 9.0 [IQR, 4.0-23.5], p = 0.01), central line days (11.0 [IQR, 6.0-40.0] versus 6.5 [IQR, 0.0-11.5], p = 0.001), and ventilator days (13.0 [IQR, 2.3-48.0] versus 4.0 [IQR, 0.0-25.0], p = 0.02) were found in the cefepime group than in the ceftazidime group. There was no difference in culture-positive sepsis after the initial antibiotic course (8.0% versus 3.6%, p = 0.42). Statistical differences were seen in select secondary outcomes including treated respiratory infections (16.0% versus 1.8%, p = 0.01), length of stay greater than 30 days (72.0% versus 50.9%, p = 0.03), and mortality (26.0% versus 9.1%, p = 0.02). These differences were not observed in analyses adjusted for ventilator days. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis found no difference in culture-positive sepsis in neonates exposed to cefepime versus ceftazidime. Moreover, there were no differences in secondary outcomes in adjusted analyses. Further research is needed to assess neonatal outcomes in a larger analysis.
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OBJECTIVE: Initial posaconazole dosing regimens in children often do not achieve target concentrations, and data continue to support the need for higher initial dosing regimens. The objective of this study is to contribute to the current data regarding suboptimal posaconazole dosing in pediatric patients by retrospectively observing dosing strategies and subsequent drug concentrations. METHODS: This study was conducted at a single institution in 27 patients aged 1 to 21 years. Patients who were initiated on any formulation of posaconazole for prophylaxis or treatment while admitted to the hospital were included. The primary outcome was to determine the percentage of pediatric patients who achieved the targeted trough concentration using their initial posaconazole dosing regimen. Secondary outcomes included percentage of patients who experienced a breakthrough invasive fungal infection (IFI), percentage of patients with elevated liver function tests (LFTs), and discontinuation for any reason. RESULTS: There were 15 patients (55.5%) who reached desired trough serum concentration after the initial dosing regimen. The number of dose modifications to achieve the desired trough ranged from 1 to 3. Most patients received delayed-release tablets (n = 17), and the average doses for reaching prophylactic and treatment trough concentrations were 6.1 mg/kg/day and 11 mg/kg/day, respectively. There were 2 patients (7.4%) who experienced breakthrough IFI. Overall, 5 patients developed elevated LFTs and 7 patients discontinued treatment early. CONCLUSIONS: The results describe a single population of pediatric patients, of whom 55% were able to achieve target trough concentrations of posaconazole with the initial dosing strategy used.
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INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of implementing Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training in a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum on student pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and empathy towards people with mental health conditions and/or crises. METHODS: Participants were third-year PharmD students enrolled in Patient Care Experience, a required communication and ethics course. A survey was administered pre- and post-intervention (i.e. MHFA training). Student pharmacist self-efficacy in assisting someone developing a mental health condition or in crisis was evaluated using confidence measures from the MHFA action plan. Knowledge was measured using Mental Health Knowledge Statements. Attitudes were assessed with the Index of Attitudes Towards Mental Illness, and stigma was evaluated using the Social Distancing Scale. Empathy was measured with the Kiersma-Chen Empathy Scale. RESULTS: Both pre- and post-intervention surveys were completed by 97 of 135 participants (71.9% response rate). MHFA training resulted in significantly increased self-efficacy and empathy. There were no significant differences in knowledge, attitudes, and stigma. CONCLUSIONS: MHFA training was associated with increases in student pharmacist empathy and self-efficacy in providing support to individuals with mental health crises.
