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Background Overuse of antibiotics from the inpatient to outpatient setting is an antibiotic stewardship initiative where noninfectious disease (ID) pharmacists can have a large impact. Our purpose was to evaluate antibiotic durations across transitions of care from the inpatient to outpatient setting. Methods This is a single-center, retrospective cohort analysis evaluating antibiotic durations from the inpatient and outpatient setting in adult patients admitted to general surgery and medicine services at an academic medical center between January 1, 2017 and September 20, 2017. The primary outcome was to assess total antibiotic duration for patients with uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infections (UTI, cUTI), community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), and hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). Outpatient electronic discharge prescriptions were used to calculate intended antibiotic duration upon transitions of care. Excessive duration of therapy was defined as >3 days—UTI, >5 days—CAP, and >7 days—cUTI or HAP. Results One hundred and one patients met inclusion criteria. Overall, most of the patients (81%) had antibiotics longer than recommended with only 3% receiving less than the recommended duration. Median total duration of therapy compared with recommended duration specified in national guidelines was UTI: 10 days [ 7 – 10 ], cUTI: 12 days [7.5-12.5], CAP: 7 days [ 7 – 9 ], HAP: 10 days [ 8 – 12 ]. The median antibiotic duration was shorter in patients with no cultures or culture negative results compared with patients with positive cultures for all indications (UTI: 10.3 vs 10.8 days, cUTI: 9 vs 12 days, CAP: 8 vs 9.1 days, HAP: 10.5 vs 19.8 days). Overall, the recommended duration of antibiotics was completed while inpatient in 34.7%, but varied by infection. More patients with UTI or cUTI completed recommended duration of therapy while inpatient vs for CAP or HAP (53.8% vs 28%, P = .03). Eighty percent of those with UTI, 18.2% with cUTI, 25.6% with CAP, and 31.2% with HAP had already received the recommended duration of treatment, or more, on day of hospital discharge. Conclusions The median duration of antibiotic therapy for all indications evaluated was longer than recommended in national guidelines. Opportunities for stewardship by non-ID pharmacists to impact postdischarge antimicrobial use at transitions of care have been identified.

Background: Accurate assessment of renal function is essential in hospitalized elderly patients. Few studies have examined the accuracy of Cockcroft-Gault (C-G) estimates of creatinine clearance (CrCl) compared with measured clearance in these patients. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between C-G estimates of CrCl and measured CrCl in hospitalized elderly patients. Methods: This Institutional Review Board–approved, single-center retrospective observational cohort study included all patients who were 65 years and older admitted to our medical center in January to September 2018 with either an 8- or 24-hour urine collected during admission. The primary outcome was correlation, bias, and precision of C-G estimates of CrCl versus measured CrCl using Pearson correlation, Spearman linear regression, and Bland-Altman analysis. Outliers were determined using a cut-off of ±20%. Data are presented as median (interquartile range) or percentages. Results: A total of 108 urine collections from 90 unique patients were included in the study. The patients were 51% female, median age was 71 (68-77) years, and median body mass index was 26.6 (22.8-31) kg/m2. Most collections were over 24 hours (66.7%), and 38% were performed while patients were in an intensive care unit. Median blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was 24.5 (17-36) mg/dL and median serum creatinine was 0.71 (0.55-1.09) mg/dL. The median C-G estimation was 75.4 (48.2-110.6) mL/min, and the median measured CrCl was 79.1 (38.1-99.5) mL/min, r2 = .56 ( P < .001). Bland-Altman analysis showed large limits of agreement (-75.5-57.7 mL/min), with a bias of −8.9 and precision (standard deviation of bias) of 34 mL/min. Outliers were common, with 38% of C-G estimation values >120% of measured CrCl, and 18% of C-G estimates

Introduction Previous literature showed an association between hyperthermia and dexmedetomidine (DEX) use for ongoing sedation in non-obese patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate DEX’s effect on temperature in obese critically ill patients. Methods This single center, retrospective, cohort study included patients ≥18 years, admitted to a surgical or medical ICU, received DEX for ≥8 hours as a single continuous infusion sedative, and weighed ≥120% of ideal body weight. Patients were excluded if they had a fever (≥38°C) and positive cultures within 48 hours of DEX initiation. The primary endpoint was a fever (Tmax of ≥38°C) within 48 hours of DEX initiation. Results A total of 186 patients were included for evaluation. Forty-two patients (22.5%) had a fever during the first 48 hours of DEX initiation. Median weight was not different between the febrile and afebrile groups (99.4 [90.6-122.4] vs 97.6 [81.6-114.2] kg, P = .6). Median change from baseline temperature for all patients within 48 hours was an increase of .5 (.1-.8) °C, P < .001. In multiple regression analysis, duration of DEX and baseline temperature were the only significant predictors of fever development with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.041 (95% CI 1.009-1.074, P = .012) and 7.058 (95% CI 3.307-15.064, P < .001), respectively. Conclusions This study suggests that there is a significant increase in body temperature from baseline for obese patients on DEX. Duration of DEX and baseline temperature were found to be risk factors for fever development in this population. Further studies are warranted.

The use of nasoenteric tubes (NETs) is ubiquitous, and clinicians often take their placement, function, and maintenance for granted. NETs are used for gastrointestinal decompression, enteral feeding, medication administration, naso-biliary drainage, and specialized indications such as upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Morbidity associated with NETETs is common, but frequently subtle, mandating high index of suspicion, clinical vigilance, and patient safety protocols. Common complications include sinusitis, sore throat and epistaxis. More serious complications include luminal perforation, pulmonary injury, aspiration, and intracranial placement. Frequent monitoring and continual re-review of the indications for continued use of any NETET is prudent, including consideration of changing goals of care. This manuscript reviews NET-related complications and associated topics.

Nutrition support in the critically ill patient has shifted from adjunctive toward fundamental therapy with the publication of high-grade evidence. Early enteral nutrition (EN) is recommended because it is associated with decreased infectious complications and use of EN is associated with decreased mortality and infections compared with parenteral nutrition (PN). EN is not without risks, such as diarrhea or aspiration, but use of prokinetic agents, head of bed elevation, and use of feeding protocols can maximize benefits and minimize risks. Although recently high-grade evidence on nutrition support in the critically ill population has been published, many controversies still exist. In obese patients, use of hypocaloric feedings with increased protein has been demonstrated to promote weight loss and improved glucose management. In nonobese patients, small studies have demonstrated that providing more than 70% or less than 30% of goal caloric intake may be associated with worse outcomes, but more studies are needed. Additional research is also needed to conclude whether withholding intravenous fat emulsions for the first 7 to 10 days of PN reduces infectious complications. Finally, more high-quality studies are needed to define the role of immune-enhancing nutrients such as arginine, glutamine, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and selenium.

Objective: To report the use of subcutaneous lepirudin in an obese patient with heparin resistance. Case Summary: A 34-year-old morbidly obese male (weight 145 kg) presented with hypoxia on postoperative day 1 following a sigmoid colectomy. A continuous unfractionated heparin infusion was started for a suspected pulmonary embolism. Doses were escalated without therapeutic activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) response and an antithrombin (AT) tevei was obtained. The AT level was reported as 78% (reference range 85–120%). Computed tomography angiography ruled out pulmonary embolism and lepirudin 50 mg administered subcutaneously twice daily was started (serum creatinine 1.3 mg/dL) for prevention of venous thromboembolism. The resulting aPTT values were therapeutic (63 and 60 sec, reference range 24–34, therapeutic heparin range 55–85). The dose was adjusted to 25 mg twice daily, aPTT values were 35 and 48 seconds. His serum creatinine increased to 1.6 mg/dL and minor bleeding was noted. The dose was decreased to 25 mg once daily, with resulting aPTT values of 31, 39, and 41 seconds. The patient was discharged to home without development of venous thromboembolism, as confirmed by duplex ultrasonography. Discussion: Commonly administered anticoagulants, such as unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparins, and fondaparinux, exert their effect by complexing with AT and thrombin (Factor IIa), activating AT and preventing thrombin from exerting coagulation effect. Without AT present, these drugs have little effect on inhibiting the coagulation cascade. Lepirudin is a synthetic irreversible direct thrombin inhibitor and does not rely on AT to exert its anticoagulation action. It can be given subcutaneously and is eliminated primarily by the kidneys, Dosage adjustments for both renal function and obesity need to be considered and aPTT should be monitored. Conclusions: In obese patients or those with heparin resistance, subcutaneous lepirudin can be monitored and the regimen adjusted based on aPTT values. Further studies are warranted to maximize efficacy and define dosing.

Objective: To review recent literature on the safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine. Data Sources: Articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE (1966–January 2007). Key words included dexmedetomidine, medetomidine, α2-agonist, and sedation. References from selected articles were reviewed for additional references. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Experimental and observational studies that focused on the safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine in humans were selected. Data Synthesis: Dexmedetomidine is an α2-agonist for short-term sedation in critically ill patients. In postoperative patients, dexmedetomidine produced similar levels of sedation and times to extubation, with less opioid requirements compared with propofol. Dexmedetomidine has also been studied for sedation in critically ill medical and pediatric patients, as adjunct to anesthesia, and for procedural sedation. Hypotension, hypertension, and bradycardia are common adverse effects. Although dexmedetomidine is labeled only for sedation less than 24 hours, it has been administered for longer than 24 hours without apparent development of rebound hypertension and tachycardia. Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine is a safe and effective agent for sedation in critically ill patients. Further, well designed studies are needed to define its role as a sedative for critically ill medical, neurosurgical, and pediatric patients, as an adjunct to anesthesia, and as a sedative during procedures.