P H A R M A G R A M

...a memo from your Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee

October, 2005

Thank You For Using Your IDX Number:

Harming a patient because of a misread drug order is an error no one wants to make. Prescribers who provide their 5-digit IDX number with their handwritten orders allow the medical center staff an opportunity to verify orders that are unclear. If you are not providing this 5-digit number as part of your signature, consider making this a routine procedure when you sign your name to all your orders.

Formulary Additions:

Vytorin®, which is a combination of simvastatin and ezetimibe, was added to the Formulary. There are 4 strengths of this product available which vary based on the simvastatin component. Ezetimibe is 10mg while the simvastatin content is 10, 20, 40 or 80mg per tablet. Most common side effects include myalgia, diarrhea, abdominal pain, elevated liver enzymes and arthralgia.

Orders for simvastatin (Zocor®) will continue to be substituted with pravastatin (Pravachol®). The other currently available ‘statin’ drug on the Formulary is atorvastatin (Lipitor®).

IV IMMUNE GLOBULIN SHORTAGE:

There is a shortage of IV Immune Globulin which has necessitated developing a rationing protocol when the Medical Center’s inventory falls below 300gm. A priority list of diagnoses has been developed by representative physicians of Medicine, Neurology, Pediatrics and Hematology. If necessary, physicians will be notified immediately and drug availability will be based on the priority list.

Back Issues of the PharmaGram:

The PharmaGram reports the decisions made by the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. Back issues of the PharmaGram are located on the Pharmacy Webpage (http://library.osfhealthcare.org/Pharmacists.asp ).  A search function is available to quickly access previous issues.

STOP ANTIBIOTIC OVERuse!!!   STOP ANTIBIOTIC MISuse!!!

STOP ANTIBIOTIC OVERuse!!!

Know your antibiogram. 

· Nafcillin or cefazolin is effective against ~40% of staph aureus at SFMC. 

Good Antibiotic Practice Target #1 Know when to say “NO” to vancomycin

· Use vancomycin for treatment of serious infections caused by beta-lactam-resistant gram positive microorganisms (for example MRSA)

· Do NOT use vancomycin for eradication of MRSA colonization.

· Do NOT use vancomycin for treatment of infections caused by beta-lactam-sensitive gram-positive microorganisms in patients who have renal failure.

Saint Francis Medical Center is compliant with national vancomycin use guidelines 73% of the time. 

Saint Francis Medical Center’s goal is to achieve greater than 90% compliance

ADE (Adverse Drug Event) Hotline: 655-6805