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Background Radial artery occlusion (RAO) is the most common complication following transradial approach (TRA) for cardiac catheterization. Our aim was to assess if decreasing radial hemostatic device (RHD) time reduces the risk of RAO among individuals receiving small sheath sizes with no adjunctive heparin. Methods We randomized 450 individuals undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization via the TRA to 3 durations of RHD time: 10, 20 or 30 minutes. After this time period, the RHD was gradually released over 20 minutes. The primary efficacy endpoint was forearm hematoma grade ≥2 (5-10 cm) and the primary safety endpoint was RAO (as determined by Doppler ultrasound) one-hour post RHD removal (pre-discharge). Results The mean age was 66 years and 64% were male. 5 French sheaths were used in all patients. Hematoma grade ≥2 occurred only in 1 patient in the 20 minutes groups (P=0.39). RAO occurred in 6.7% of patients in the 10 minute group, 10.7% in the 20 minute group and 6% in the 30 minute group (P=0.26). Conclusion Among patients receiving small caliber sheaths without adjunctive heparin, the incidence of forearm hematoma and RAO are low. Shorter durations of RHD time did not further reduce the risk of these complications. Brief summary We assessed if reducing radial hemostatic device (RHD) time decreases the risk of radial artery occlusion (RAO) in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization via the trasradial approach while small size sheaths and no heparin are used. We randomized 450 individuals into 3 durations of RHD time: 10, 20 or 30 minutes. The incidence of forearm hematoma and RAO were low and not different between groups.

Radial artery occlusion is the most common complication following trans-radial approach (TRA) for cardiac catheterization. Our aim was to compare short durations of compression hemostatic device (CHD) application post TRA in patients not receiving anticoagulation. Patients (n=450) undergoing

Hospital pharmacists play an important role in improving patient outcomes and have a positive impact on patient safety and survival.1 In one study,1 the following 7 pharmacy services had a statistically significant association with reduced mortality rates: pharmacist participation in medical rounds, pharmacist-provided admission drug histories, drug-use evaluation, in-service education, management of adverse drug reactions, management of drug protocols, and participation on the cardiopulmonary resuscitation team. Pharmacists provide patient-centred care to ensure safe and effective drug therapy. Despite the known benefits in terms of patient outcomes and safety, many patients and their families are unaware that a pharmacist is part of their health care team and are similarly unaware of the services that pharmacists provide. According to the Hospital Pharmacy in Canada 2009/2010 Report,2 of 222 Canadian hospitals, about half (n = 112) reported conducting client satisfaction surveys, and only 27 (24%) of these stated that the survey included a question about speaking to a pharmacist while in hospital. Among hospitals that asked patients and families about speaking with a pharmacist, less than half of the patients remembered speaking with a pharmacist while in the hospital.2 A telephone survey conducted by Alberta Health Services found that 21% of patients remembered speaking to a pharmacist.3 One of the objectives for pharmacy practice in hospitals and related health care settings to be achieved by 2015, as part of the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists’ CSHP 2015 initiative, is that “50% of recently hospitalized patients or their caregivers (family members for example) will recall speaking with a pharmacist while in the hospital”.4 Although the target of 50% is arbitrary, this objective is part of the overarching goal to “increase the extent to which pharmacists in hospitals and related healthcare settings help individual hospital inpatients achieve the best use of medications”.4 The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting provides unique opportunities and challenges for meeting this CSHP 2015 objective. Babies and their families “live” in the NICU for periods of weeks to months. The babies are critically ill, and their health status may change or fluctuate dramatically and quickly. Little information is available regarding the safe and effective use of medications in this patient population. Pharmacists working in NICUs use specialized knowledge and skill sets to ensure effective and safe pharmacotherapy as the babies grow and develop and their health status changes. Families face immense stresses, sometimes with multiple babies (e.g., twins or triplets) receiving treatment, and during their stay meet a multitude of health care providers, all of whom give them information emphasizing different aspects of their baby’s (or babies’) care. The goal of this study was to improve families’ access to and awareness of their babies’ pharmacists. The primary objectives were to increase families’ awareness of the NICU pharmacist and to describe topics that families want to discuss with the NICU pharmacist.