[Editor's note: This is the first in a two-part series. This month we examine the performance improvements that one hospital achieved after placing a pharmacist in the ED. We also discuss how a pharmacist's recommendations to dispense a medication orally enabled the ED to save money and improve patient safety. In the August issue, we'll look at additional benefits these pharmacists offer, from the perspective of ED nurses and physicians.]
As the ED staff at Valley Medical Center in Renton, WA, was preparing to move into its new "digs," emergency services manager Kayett Asuquo, RN, BSN, MBA, CES, recognized that it was important that they do more than just take a walking tour of the new facilities. They needed to see how it would function as an environment for treating patients.
Getting stuck with a needle is frightening. Most health care workers are frightened and imagine they will become HIV positive. When prophylaxis is indicated, it needs to be started as soon as possible, so it falls to the ED provider to determine the risk and start the right medications to prevent the development of disease.
Fractures and bisphosphonate therapy, warfarin anticoagulation and influenza vaccine and cotrimoxazole, antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin, FDA Actions.
The first immunotherapy has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of hormone-resistant prostate cancer.