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The use of first-dose cefepime IVP in the ED resulted in a statistically significant decrease in time to vancomycin administration of over 1 hour.

Hyperkalemia is a potentially life-threatening electrolyte abnormality that may be caused by select medications, underlying organ dysfunction, or alterations in potassium homeostasis. Treatment for this condition has remained largely unchanged since the release of sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) in 1958. Despite its widespread use, the safety and efficacy of SPS remains controversial. Two novel potassium-binding resins have emerged in recent years. Patiromer was the first of these to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of hyperkalemia in October 2015. A second potassium-binding resin, a zirconium cyclosilicate currently known as ZS-9, may provide yet another alternative to the archetypal treatment with SPS. ZS-9 is an orally administered nonabsorbed inorganic compound that selectively binds potassium ions in vivo. Two phase III multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials have evaluated ZS-9 for the treatment of acute hyperkalemia. In this review, we discuss the pharmacology, clinical efficacy, safety, and potential place in therapy of ZS-9 for the enhanced elimination of potassium in the setting of hyperkalemia.

BackgroundReducing hospital admission and improving transitions of care can lessen the burden of ABSSSIs in EDs and hospitals. Limited research to date has assessed the patient’s preference for ABSSSI treatment. Understanding patient preferences may provide insights that encourage optimal treatment plans and improve satisfaction with their care.MethodsA patient survey was conducted across 5 hospital EDs in the US. After providing informed consent, patients with ABSSSI completed a baseline survey assessing their ABSSSI history and preferences for antibiotic (ABX) therapy [intravenous (IV) vs. oral] and treatment location. Patient characteristics and ensuing treatment details were collected from the medical record after the ED or hospitalization was completed. Descriptive statistics were used for analyses.ResultsSeventy-one patients were enrolled and completed the baseline survey. The mean ± SD age was 50 ± 17 years, 22 (31%) had diabetes, and 47 (66.2%) had a previous ABSSSI. The median (25th-75th quartile) lesion size was 190 (53-613) cm2; 51 (71.8%) presented with cellulitis, an abscess, or both. Fifty-four (76.1%) were admitted to the hospital with a median (25th-75thquartile) length of stay of 4.5 (2-9) days. In the ED, vancomycin (39.4%) and β-lactams (36.6%) were the most common ABX; IV was prescribed in 58/63 (92.1%) patients. Once admitted, 37 (68.5%) and 34 (63%) patients received vancomycin and β-lactams, respectively. When surveyed, 26 (36.6%) patients preferred to receive ABX at home, while 22 (31.0%) chose hospital stay for one or more nights. The most common ABX preference was a single IV dose to complete treatment, selected by 29 (40.8%) patients. The most important ABX factors were efficacy and their doctor’s opinion, then convenience and route of administration; least important were treatment location, adverse events, and cost.ConclusionIn these patients presenting to the ED with ABSSSI, the majority were admitted to the hospital and received IV ABX. Patient preferences for treatment location varied, but many valued therapies that could prevent admission. These data suggest opportunities for improving ABSSSI care by engaging the patient and offering treatment alternatives they may not be aware of.Disclosures K. R. Keyloun, Allergan: Employee, Salary. D. P. Nicolau, Allergan: Grant Investigator, Scientific Advisor and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Speaker honorarium. J. L. Kuti, Allergan: Grant Investigator, Investigator, Scientific Advisor and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Speaker honorarium

BackgroundABSSSI are a frequent cause of emergency room visits. Physicians (PHY) and Advanced Practice Providers (APP) have many decisions to make during the initial treatment of ABSSSI, including intravenous (IV) vs. oral (PO) ABX, and hospital admission vs. discharge home. There are limited data, however, on factors that influence the provider’s decision for the treatment of ABSSSI.MethodsAn anonymous survey was offered to EM providers at 5 hospitals across the US. The survey presented patient cases with ABSSSI ≥ 75cm2 and escalating clinical scenarios including relapse, controlled diabetes (DM), and SIRS. For each case, participants were queried on their decision for admission vs. discharge, ABX therapy (IV, PO, or both), and to rank factors that influenced their ABX decision. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analyses.ResultsAcross the 5 hospitals, 104 providers completed the survey; 59 (56.7%) were PHY and 45 (43.3%) were APP. Experience was evenly represented with 50 (48.1%) providers practicing for ≥5 years and 54 (51.9%) less than 5 years. For the first case with no relapse, DM, or SIRS, most providers selected PO ABX [95 (91.4%)] and discharge [100 (96.2%)]. In case 2, the presence of relapse resulted in PO ABX for 50 (48.1%) and discharge in 54 (51.9%) of responses. In case 3, the presence of controlled DM resulted in PO ABX for 55 (53.4%) and discharge home in 65 (63.1%) of responses. Four (3.8%) and 13 (12.5%) providers chose to give 1–2 IV doses followed by PO and discharge the relapsed and DM cases, respectively. Compared with APP, PHY more frequently prescribed PO ABX for the DM case (62.7% vs. 40.9%, P = 0.046) and incorporated PO ABX into the treatment of the SIRS case (48.3% vs. 22.7%, P = 0.015). The addition of SIRS criteria in case 4 resulted in initiation with IV ABX [97 (95.1%)] and admission [100 (96.2%)]. The highest ranked factors influencing ABX selection were infection severity and co-morbidities; the lowest were patient convenience, adverse events, and cost.ConclusionThese data highlight factors influencing EM provider decisions in the treatment of ABSSSI. Variability in responses to patient cases suggests opportunities for education and the development of an ABSSSI clinical pathway to guide treatment.Disclosures K. R. Keyloun, Allergan: Employee, Salary. D. P. Nicolau, Allergan: Grant Investigator, Scientific Advisor and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Speaker honorarium. J. L. Kuti, Allergan: Grant Investigator, Investigator, Scientific Advisor and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Speaker honorarium

The Impact of Nursing to Achieve Door-to-Drug Times of ≤ 45 Minutes in Acute Ischemic Stroke Background: Nursing care in a large urban university affiliated Level 1 Trauma and Comprehensive Stroke Center faces a series of competing priorities. The goal of door-to-drug for alteplase in acute ischemic stroke is 60 minutes. As time is brain, every 15 minutes saved increases the odds of good functional outcome. Objective: To evaluate the impact of alteplase reconstitution by nurses at the bedside in the Emergency Department (ED) on door to drug times compared with traditional pharmacy reconstitution process. Methods: A retrospective quality improvement project evaluating all stroke patients treated with alteplase at our institution from October 2016 - June 2017 was completed yielding 60 patients. Door-to-drug times using traditional pharmacy reconstitution from October 2016 to January 2017 (n=32) was compared to nursing reconstitution from February 2017 to June 2017 (n=28). The proportion of patients with door-to-drug times of ≤ 45 minutes in both groups was evaluated. T-test for independent means for time differences and Chi-square test of proportions was used to calculate the statistical significance in time reduction between both patient cohorts. Results: As compared to pharmacy reconstitution, the mean door-to-drug times for nursing was 15 minutes shorter with nursing (50.75 +/-21.2 vs. 65.9 +/-29.8 minutes) ( p=0.029 ). The proportion of patients within the 45 minute time window in the nursing cohort was more than double that with the pharmacy (60% [n=17] vs. 27.8% [n=7], p=0.02). Furthermore, there were no reported dosing errors in either group. Conclusions: In our study, nursing reconstitution at the bedside reduced door-to-drug times by 15 minutes and doubled the proportion of patients receiving alteplase within the 45 minute mark. Eliminating treatment delays for patients with acute ischemic stroke lowers in-hospital mortality and reduces long term disability. Efficient nursing reconstitution directly impacts the patient’s door to drug time which contributes to their functional outcome by providing a better chance for a disability-free life.