February 7 Drugs & Diseases Cardiovascular Disease High HDL-C levels may not be protective against CVD in Black individuals PT February 2023 A November 2022 study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology spotlights the racial disparities in current cholesterol treatment guidelines that are based on studies overrepresenting white patients. Clarissa Chan, PharmD
February 7 Practice & Trends Self-Care Product Survey Cough, cold, and allergy PT February 2023, Volume 29, Number 2 While there may not be a known cure for colds, we can at least reduce bothersome symptoms, improve our sense of well-being, and receive some relief.
February 7 Practice & Trends Allergies Epinephrine autoinjector myths still common PT February 2023 A November 2022 survey published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology of more than 1,000 adults with food allergies has helped shed light on the challenges patients face with epinephrine autoinjectors (EAIs). Clarissa Chan, PharmD
February 7 Practice & Trends On the Cover CDC releases new pain management guidelines, advocating tailored care for patients PT February 2023, Volume 29, Number 2 CDC’s updated guidelines on pain management are “a step in the right direction,” said Chris Herndon, PharmD, BCACP, FASHP, FCCP. Loren Bonner
February 7 Practice & Trends On the Docket When cutting costs doesn’t pay PT February 2023, Volume 29, Number 2 Rising health care costs are a concern for every health care institution. Residential assisted living facilities (RALFs) are among the health care institutions constantly looking for ways to promote efficiency and reduce costs. David B. Brushwood, BSPharm, JD
February 7 Practice & Trends Error Alert Using Vigiv for mpox? The concentration is not as it may seem PT February 2023, Volume 29, Number 2 A prescriber ordered vaccinia immune globulin intravenous, human (Vigiv–Cangene Corporation) 6,000 units/kg for a hospitalized 3.49 kg neonate (total dose of 20,940 units) with mpox-like symptoms. Institute for Safe Medication Practices, Horsham, PA
February 7 Health Systems Trending topics Inpatient Insights PT February 2023 Empirical antimicrobial therapy for BSIs may decrease in-hospital mortality.
February 7 Health Systems HAIs Health care–associated infections persisted in 2021 PT February 2023 Released in late 2022, CDC’s most recent National and State Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Progress Report examined the prevalence of 6 common infections across 3 health care settings: acute care hospitals (ACHs), inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and long-term acute care hospitals. Olivia C. Welter, PharmD
February 7 Health Systems Dosing Guidelines Race and BSA may be arbitrary consideration in renal prediction PT February 2023 A study published in Pharmacotherapy on November 19, 2022, challenges the long-held notion that renal function should be adjusted based on race. Corey Diamond, PharmD
February 7 Health Systems Drug Diversion ASHP releases drug diversion prevention measures for health systems PT February 2023 On October 26, 2017, the opioid crisis was officially declared a public health emergency in the United States. Since then, opioid overdoses have failed to decline—CDC’s 2020 data on opioid overdoses demonstrated a 31% increase over 2019. Ariel Clark, PharmD