Objectives. To determine the content and extent, design, and relative importance of patient assessment courses in the professional pharmacy curriculum. Methods. A 20-item questionnaire was developed to gather information pertaining to patient assessment. Pharmacy practice department chairs were mailed a letter with an Internet link to an online survey instrument. Results. Ninety-six percent of the programs indicated that patient assessment skills were taught. Fortyfive percent of respondents indicated their course was a standalone course. The most common topics covered in assessment courses were pulmonary examination, vital signs, and cardiovascular assessment. Conclusion. There is significant variability in the topics covered, depth of content, types of instruction, and evaluation methods used in patient assessment courses in US colleges of pharmacy. This survey was an initial assessment of what is being done regarding education of student pharmacists on patient assessment.
Intravenous fat emulsion (IVFE) is an important source of calories and essential fatty acids for patients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). Administered as an individual infusion or combined with PN, the fats provided by IVFE are vital for cellular structural function and metabolism. The affinity of some medications to lipids has led to the use of IVFE as a treatment for any lipophilic drug overdose. This article will explain the available formulations of IVFE, administration, and maintenance issues, as well as the risks and benefits for various applications.
In the environment of rapidly mounting medication costs, pharmaceutical manufacturers' assistance programs (PMAPs) have become increasingly important in supplying medications to financially vulnerable patients. At Shenandoah Valley Compassionate Pharmacy, Winchester, Virginia, a nonprofit facility serving low-income seniors, a pharmacist and a patient advocate implement PMAPs by helping to enroll patients, dispensing medications, and providing patient counseling. To examine the effects of the program, we compared patients' clinical indicators before and after a 42-month intervention. Statistical analysis evaluated changes in clinical variables, such as systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, lipid panel (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein [LDL], highdensity lipoprotein [HDL], and triglycerides [TG]) for 84 seniors diagnosed with one or more chronic conditions. Results show statistically significant improvement in total cholesterol, LDL, and mean arterial pressure (calculated). TGs and A1c did not change significantly. In addition to dispensing free medications, the pharmacist provides counseling to enhance the efficacy of geriatric pharmacotherapy.
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