British journal of clinical pharmacology
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Br J Clin Pharmacol · Jan 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyComparative evaluation of atracurium dosed on ideal body weight vs. total body weight in morbidly obese patients.
Different conflicting reports have been published for the use of atracurium in morbidly obese patients. Dosing of atracurium based on lean body mass, total body weight, and total body weight with a dose reduction for every 10 kg more than 70 kg have been proposed. ⋯ In morbid obesity (112-260 kg), atracurium 0.5 mg kg(-1) ideal body weight results in a predictable profile of muscle relaxation allowing for adequate intubation conditions and recovery of muscle strength to a TOF ratio >90% within 60 min with lack of need for antagonism. A dose-dependent prolongation of action is shown when dosing is based on total body weight.
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Br J Clin Pharmacol · Jan 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialImpact of a focussed teaching programme on practical prescribing skills among final year medical students.
Medication errors, and particularly prescribing errors, are common in UK hospitals. Junior doctors make the majority of prescribing errors. Deficiencies in prescribing education and training have been closely linked to the high frequency of medication errors. ⋯ Medical students make significant errors in prescribing. Teaching improves ability and confidence but is insufficient alone in eradicating errors.