Sunday, August 4, 2002

Safer warfarin? How can we use warfarin (Coumadin) more safely and effectively? What is the best algorithm? Toronto's experience refining pharmacist-assisted warfarin protocols can shed some light. 5:21:35 PM

Magnesium Sulfate and Pulmonary Edema? A hospital in Kansas City found a 3% incidence of pulmonary edema in women given MgSO4 for preeclampsia. Women with premature labor with the same Mg serum levels during MgSO4 therapy, had no pulmonary edema. Many factors may predispose in this setting (preeclampsia as well as MgSO4 itself). To reduce the pulmonary edema risk, they speculate that monitoring colloid oncotic pressures may signal an early need to cut back on parenteral fluids. ...A helpful study for hospitals reviewing their incidence of pulmonary edema after MgSO4. Yeast JD, Halberstadt C, Meyer BA, Cohen GR, Thorp JA. The risk of pulmonary edema and colloid osmotic pressure changes during magnesium sulfate infusion. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1993 Dec;169(6):1566-71 (St. Luke's Perinatal Center, St. Luke's Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri) 5:01:31 PM

Wireless Still hanging in there. 4:57:08 PM

GPO's Group Purchasing Organizations stir strong sentiments. Do they save money for the consumer and hospital? Do they restrain trade? Government oversight continues. Big GPOs and little GPOs are making their case. Since the last posting, an even broader understanding of these issues has been created by Mercy Resource Management Incorporated links to government, media, and corporate findings. 4:53:51 PM

Bar codes sooner or later? More on bar codes in the news. 4:43:41 PM

© Copyright 2002 Carl Gandola. Last update: 8/4/02; 6:29:23 PM.