High-dose antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) spacers are commonly used to treat prosthetic joint infections following total hip and knee arthroplasties. This methodology can provide high local antibiotic concentrations while minimizing systemic exposure and toxicity. The occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) is rarely reported. Available literature suggests that the rate may be higher than previously thought. We report a case of significant systemic tobramycin absorption with concomitant acute renal failure in a 69-year-old female following the implantation of a high-dose ALBC spacer containing both tobramycin and vancomycin. The tobramycin level 24 h post-surgery was 5.8 mcg/mL. Due to concomitant renal failure, antibiotic clearance was poor and resulted in prolonged exposure to elevated aminoglycoside levels. Recovery of renal function occurred, but clinicians should be vigilant in considering the potential impact ALBC spacers can have on post-operative renal function if antibiotic elution is higher than expected.

Respiratory inhalers constitute a large percentage of hospital pharmacy expenditures. Metered-dose inhaler (MDI) canisters usually contain enough medication to last 2 to 4 weeks, while the average hospital stay for acute hospitalizations of respiratory illnesses is only 4-5 days. Hospital pharmacies are often unable to operationalize relabeling of inhalers at discharge to meet regulatory requirements. This dilemma produces drug wastage. The common canister (CC) approach is a method some hospitals implemented in an effort to minimize the costs associated with this issue. The CC program uses a shared inhaler, an individual one-way valve holding chamber, and a cleaning protocol. This approach has been the subject of considerable controversy. Proponents of the CC approach reported considerable cost savings to their institutions. Opponents of the CC approach are not convinced the benefits outweigh even a minimal risk of cross-contamination since adherence to protocols for hand washing and disinfection of the MDI device cannot be guaranteed to be 100% (pathogens from contaminated devices can enter the respiratory tract through inhalation). Other cost containment strategies, such as unit dose nebulizers, may be useful to realize similar reductions in pharmacy drug costs while minimizing the risks of nosocomial infections and their associated medical costs. The CC strategy may be appropriate for some hospital pharmacies that face budget constraints, but a full evaluation of the risks, benefits, and potential costs should guide those who make hospital policy decisions.

Objective: There are currently 39 FDA-approved metered-dose (MDI) or dry-powder inhalers (DPI) on the US market. Most are high cost with significantly more drug in the device than needed for a typical average length of stay in acute care hospitals, which leads to significant waste. The objective was to assess the financial impact and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outcomes of a comprehensive inhaler to nebulization protocol implemented in a large multi-state US health system. Methods: The retrospective study evaluated respiratory drug costs at 28 hospitals in the health system after a phased implementation of the automatic inhaler to nebulization protocol. Purchasing data was collected for all respiratory medications impacted by the protocol for the twelve months preceding as well as the two subsequent twelve-month periods following implementation at each facility. COPD length of stay (LOS) and 30 day readmissions were also reviewed. An attempt was made to evaluate the impact on respiratory therapy (RT) department workload. Results: Compared to pre-implementation, system-wide drug expenditures declined $1,561,011 (38.5%) and $1,646,411 (40.6%) in post-implementation year 1 (PY1) and post-implementation year 2 (PY2), respectively. COPD LOS and 30 day readmissions were not adversely affected and remained relatively stable in comparative periods. Objective impact on RT productivity and labor statistics was not ascertained due to complicated variables and multiple service lines. Conclusions: In an era of increased drug costs incurred by hospitals, a comprehensive inhaler to nebulization protocol significantly decreased costs without incurring any negative observed trends in COPD LOS or readmissions.

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