Pharmacotherapy
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of a pharmacist-managed hypertension program on health system costs: an evaluation of the Study of Cardiovascular Risk Intervention by Pharmacists-Hypertension (SCRIP-HTN).
To quantify the potential cost savings of a community pharmacy-based hypertension management program based on the results of the Study of Cardiovascular Risk Intervention by Pharmacists-Hypertension (SCRIP-HTN) study in terms of avoided cardiovascular events-myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure hospitalization, and to compare these cost savings with the cost of the pharmacist intervention program. ⋯ Our model found that community pharmacist interventions capable of reducing systolic blood pressure by 5.6 mm Hg within 6 months are cost saving and result in improved patient outcomes. Wider adoption of pharmacist-managed hypertension care for patients with diabetes and hypertension is encouraged.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Relationship between potential opioid-related adverse effects and hospital length of stay in patients receiving opioids after orthopedic surgery.
To determine whether there is an association between opioid-related adverse effects and postoperative hospital length of stay (p-LOS). ⋯ Constipation, emesis, and confusion were associated with increased p-LOS in patients receiving opioids after orthopedic surgery. In addition, there was a significant linear relationship between the number of adverse effects/patient and increased p-LOS, and the strength of the association increased as the number of adverse effects increased. Although the opioid dosages and adverse-effect rates were typical, these findings reinforce the need to balance pain management with risk of events.