...an educational memo from your Therapeutics Committee

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• Consent On the Chart is Required

In accordance with Federal Regulations, a signed consent must be found on the chart for patients enrolled in human investigational trials during all inpatient admissions at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. A good guideline to use is to ask, "Was an approved consent form required by the investigational review board (IRB)?" If the answer is yes, the patient should have a copy of that form, and either the Principle Investigator or the patient should provide that consent form for the chart. It is the responsibility of the attending physician, and ultimately the Principle Investigator for the trial to make sure that this is done. The Therapeutics Committee is responsible for overseeing the activities of investigators and the attending physicians who conduct human investigational trials here. Refer questions about regulations on Human Research Studies to Nancy Hibser, Coordinator, Institutional Review Board, UICOMP (671-8437).

- writing orders using zeros & decimals

A tenfold error can occur when a decimal point is not seen on an order. To avoid this serious situation, practice writing orders that consist of a fraction of a unit by "leading" the decimal point with a zero (0.25 mg digoxin). Conversely, when a dose consists of a whole intiger, "never follow" with a decimal point and a zero (2.0 mg Coumadin). This could be read as 20 mg. This technique can be remembered by the expression, "Always lead and never follow." Attending physicians, please teach the residents and likewise, residents, please teach the medical students how to write clear, unambiguous orders.

• Peds, I.D., Heme/Onc & Neurology

• more effective and no greater toxicity

- serum creatinine is usually adequate

- OSF Saint Francis Hospital Formulary