[Photodegradation of chlorpromazine, a drug-related adverse event]. / La photodégradation de la chlorpromazine, un événement indésirable médicamenteux.

The photodegradation of an active substance during treatment is a rare drug-related adverse event which can sometimes have serious consequences. Health professionals must be aware of the specific storage and administration instructions with regard to chlorpromazine and ensure that they are respected.

[Results and lessons of an innovating chemotherapy-induced nauseas and vomiting management strategy]. / Résultats et enseignements d'une stratégie innovante de prise en charge des nausées et vomissements chimio-induits.

Current chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting management guidelines recommend taking into account the emetogenic potential of the chemotherapy employed as well as individual risk factors to such effects. We performed an interventional prospective study to assess the impact of an innovating therapeutic optimization strategy. The latter combines current guidelines application to a specific consultation in order to individualize the treatment. This study included 170 patients and covered a total of 1,746 days of various chemotherapies. Among these patients, 86.5% never vomited and 53.8% never had any nausea or vomiting. These results seem generally better than the ones found in the literature with all kinds of chemotherapies. Regarding them, we have attempted to highlight the determining criteria for a successful antiemetic treatment.

[Preparation and administration of injectable antibiotics: a tool for nurses]. / Préparation et administration des antibiotiques injectables, un outil au service des infirmiers.

Nurses, the main caregivers to administer medications, often find themselves lacking the information which is nevertheless essential for the preparation of injectable antibiotics. This problem, frequent in hospitals, impacts on patient safety. On the initiative of the pharmacy and nursing staff, a tool has been created in the Percy Army Teaching Hospital in Clamart.

[The nurse as the last line of defence against quality defects in medicines]. / L'infirmier, dernier rempart face aux défauts de qualité des médicaments.

The administration of medicines, the last stage in the process, is mainly carried out by the nurse. She is therefore the last person to be able to intercept any quality defects in the medication which, despite the stringent safety measures taken by pharmaceutical laboratories throughout their manufacturing processes, remain unavoidable. These interceptions are vital for the patient's safety.