An evidence-based, systematic approach using physician-pharmacist comanagement for patients with uncontrolled hypertension resulted in improved blood pressure control and reduced average visit costs/patient.

No abstract

From a healthcare system cost and outcome perspective, blood transfusion is the preferred strategy for chemotherapy-induced anemia. However, rHuEPO may be considered an effective blood-sparing alternative for patients with non-stem cell disorders. Future cost-effectiveness analyses are needed to assess more completely both the clinical and quality-of-life benefits rHuEPO may contribute to individual patients' lives and to society overall.

Cefonicid is a 'second generation' cephalosporin administered intravenously or intramuscularly. It is similar to cefamandole in its superiority to first generation cephalosporins against several enterobacteriaceae as well as its activity against Haemophilus influenzae, including beta-lactamase-producing strains. Its activity against Staphylococcus aureus is similar to that of cefoxitin and inferior to cefamandole and first generation cephalosporins. It has excellent in vitro activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, but is inactive against Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Serratia, and Bacteroides fragilis. Due to high achievable plasma concentrations and a relatively long half-life, in most clinical trials cefonicid has been administered once daily. It was comparable in efficacy with cefamandole or cefazolin in the treatment of patients with urinary tract, lower respiratory tract, and soft tissue and bone infections. It has also been compared with penicillin in the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhoea. Results from a small series of patients with endocarditis appear to indicate that cefonicid should not be used in patients with serious staphylococcal infections. Single doses of cefonicid given preoperatively appear to offer a similar degree of protection against post-surgical infection as multiple doses of other antibiotics, but further data from studies involving larger numbers of patients are needed to confirm these impressions. Patients who require prolonged antibiotic therapy, such as those with osteomyelitis being treated as outpatients after a relatively short inpatient course, could benefit from the once daily dose regimen of cefonicid.