P H A R M A G R A M

...an educational memo from your Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee

July, 2006

Amoxicillin Suspension Concentration Change:

The concentration for amoxicillin suspension will be changing from 250mg/5ml to 400mg/5ml. This more concentrated solution will require less total volume to administer to children resulting in better compliance.

Welcome to the New Residents:

Residents are invited to visit the Pharmacy website at http://library.osfhealthcare.org/Pharmacists.asp for a listing of the Drug Formulary, P&T approved Autosubstitutions, Non-Formulary Drug Request forms and the latest on Drug Shortages.

Formulary Addition Denial:

The Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee denied approval of conivaptan (Vaprisol®) to the Formulary. Lack of comparative studies, drug interactions, IV compatibilities and significant cost were factors considered in the Committee’s decision.

Use Your IDX Number and Signature for All Orders:

Each physician has been assigned their own individual IDX User Number, which is cross-referenced in the IDX CareCast System. This number can quickly identify the prescriber when questions arise about the order or patient care. Please use this number along with a signature when writing orders. Some physicians have started using stamps which is one way to provide a legible identification of the prescriber.

Reminder: Unapproved Abbreviations:

DANGEROUS medication abbreviations banned from use at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
Prohibited	Acceptable
Any medication name, especially:
a.      MS	Morphine sulfate
b.      MSO4	Morphine sulfate
c.      MgSO4	Magnesium sulfate
“U” for units	Units
IU	International unit
“ug” for micrograms	Micrograms, mcg
Q.D.	Daily
Q.O.D.	Every  other day
.5 (no leading zero)	Should be 0.5
5.0 (trailing zero)	Should be 5
SC or SQ	SubQ, subcutaneous
cc (cubic centimeters)	ml
AU, AS, AD	Left ear, right ear, both ears

ADE (Adverse Drug Event) Hotline: 655-6805

Drug Information Service (Monday – Friday) 655-7448