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| Editor's Notebook | | | Take It to the Bank
When it comes to health care, our government just doesn't get it, and if history is any barometer, it probably never will. Forget about the Medicare Part D debacle, which will be the subject of law school case studies for years to come, focusing on how poor legislation gets passed; what I am talking about is a complete misunderstanding of what actually makes our health care system tick, particularly the role of pharmacists. Read More >> 
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| Clinical Corner | | | Review of Hospital-Acquired, Ventilator-Associated, and Health Care-Associated Pneumonia in Immunocompetent Adults
Hospital-acquired pneumonia has been reported as the second most common hospital-acquired infection in the United States, with an incidence of five to 15 cases per 1,000 hospital admissions. It accounts for approximately 15% of all hospital-related infections and may increase a patient's length of hospitalization by four to nine days. Despite the development of new antimicrobials, mortality rates attributed to hospital-acquired pneumonia are estimated at approximately 33% to 50%.
Read More >> Management of Exercise-Induced Asthma
Exercise-induced asthma is a condition characterized by airway obstruction following exercise. Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain during or after exercise, coughing, and difficulty breathing, as well as cramps, stomach pain, sore throat, and headache.
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| It's the Law | | | Applying State Laws in Federal Courts
A plaintiff sues a "foreign" defendant in a state court, and the case is moved to a federal court based on diversity jurisdiction. Which laws apply?
Read More >> Pushing the Liability Envelope
It used to be that courts reviewing pharmacy malpractice claims routinely dismissed complaints if the pharmacist had correctly filled the prescription. A simplistic but logical outcome. If you fill the prescription the way the prescriber ordered, why would you expect a lawsuit if something else goes wrong and the patient suffers harm related to use of the medication? You followed orders, and the patient got what the doctor ordered. It can't be your fault for doing exactly what you were asked to do, right?
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| Counseling Pearls | | | Sleep Apnea: Patient Information
Sleep apnea is very common - an estimated 12 million Americans have been diagnosed with the condition. Because sleep apnea frequently goes undiagnosed, many experts agree that millions more Americans could have the condition. Read More >> Rapid HIV Home Testing
If the FDA allows OraQuick to be sold OTC, people may be able to determine their HIV status quickly and the privacy of their own home. Read More >> | 
| Tech Talk | | | Pharmacist Utilizes Automation in His LTC Business
As the population ages, pharmacists are looking for safe and efficient methods of providing health care, particularly to elderly patients and other residents in long-term care facilities. One of the obstacles many face is providing these facilities with a high volume of prescriptions while still filling prescriptions and counseling patients in their pharmacies. Read More >> Parata Acquires McKesson APS
In a move designed to increase Parata's share of the pharmacy automation market, the North Carolina-based company announced in May that it has acquired McKesson's Automated Prescription Systems business unit.
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| Educational Spotlight | | | Therapeutic Strategies in Smoking Cessation
Despite more than four decades of evidence demonstrating the adverse health consequences of smoking tobacco, the personal and societal consequences of smoking continue to be devastating. Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of mortality in the United States, with cigarette smoking causing 440,000 deaths each year.
Read More >> Other Featured CEs: | Back to Top
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 | | Walgreen To Expand Number of In-Store Clinics
Deerfield, IL - Walgreen Co. recently opened 10 Health Corner Clinics in the Kansas City metro area within its stores and has plans to open more in-store clinics in the Kansas City area within the first quarter of 2007. Government To Stockpile Antiviral Drug
Philadelphia - GlaxoSmithKline has entered into an agreement with the U.S. government to provide states with the antiviral drug Relenza (zanamivir for inhalation), as they prepare for a potential influenza pandemic. Coalition of Pharmacy Associations Formed
Alexandria, VA - The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) have formed the Coalition for Community Pharmacy Action. The purpose of the new group is to represent the nation's 55,000 community chain and independent pharmacies with a single voice on legislative and regulatory issues of common interest. NCPA Seeking Info from Pharmacists
Alexandria, VA - The NCPA is cooperating with the Office of Inspector General in gathering information from community pharmacists who are experiencing slow and low Medicare Part D payments. Community pharmacists who wish to participate should contact Tony Lee of NCPA's Government Affairs department at tony.lee@ncpanet.org. Merck Launches Vaccination Program
West Point, PA - Merck & Co. and the Merck Vaccine Division have launched the Merck Adult Vaccination Program, which is designed to expand access to adult vaccines through pharmacies and vaccination service providers. For more information, call (800) 631-2590.
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