ABSTRACT Introduction The increasing popularity of cannabinoids for treating numerous neurological disorders has been reported in various countries. Although it reduces tetrahydrocannabinol psychoactivity, it helps patients tolerate higher doses and complements the anti-spasmodic effects of tetrahydrocannabinol. One of the most important potential of cannabinoids are related to its potential to help children with cerebral palsy, a contributor of lifelong disability. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of medical cannabinoids in children with cerebral palsy. Methods […]

Highlights Reduction of idleness by 67.84% in the surgical center. Increase in the volume of surgical procedures. Increased revenues and profits.   ABSTRACT Objective To reduce surgical center idleness by analyzing the competitive structure of the surgical center in a hospital, and thereby generate value in operations and increase hospital revenue. Methods The study used qualitative and quantitative methods and an action research approach involving the surgical center leadership of a small private specialized hospital in southeastern Brazil. We used […]

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine whether the use of a monthly electronic medication organizer device equipped with an alarm clock, called Electronic System for Personal and Controlled Use of Medications (Supermed), improves medication adherence of older adults with hypertension. Methods: This is a quali-quantitative, prospective, before-and-after study performed with 32 older adult patients with diagnosis of hypertension, who were recruited at a Primary Care Unit in Brazil. Results: The main outcome measures were improvement of medication adherence and blood pressure control […]

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the impact of intensive care unit admission during medical handover on mortality. Methods: Post-hoc analysis of data extracted from a prior study aimed at addressing the impacts of intensive care unit readmission on clinical outcomes. This retrospective, single-center, propensity-matched cohort study was conducted in a 41-bed general open-model intensive care unit. Patients were assigned to one of two cohorts according to time of intensive care unit admission: Handover Group (intensive care unit admission between 6:30 am […]

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the pharmaceutical interventions of a vertical clinical pharmacy service to promote the rational use of intravenous omeprazole. Methods: A prospective and descriptive study carried out at a university hospital in the Midwestern Region of Brazil, from November 2014 to May 2015. The service consisted of the analysis of adequacy of the route of administration of omeprazole in relation to the clinical conditions of the patient, as well as the use of the appropriate diluent. Interventions were […]

ABSTRACT Objective: To calculate the cost and assess the results on implementing technological resources that can prevent medication errors. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive-exploratory, quantitative study (2007-2015), in the model of case study at a hospital in the Brazilian Southeastern Region. The direct cost of each technology was calculated in the drug chain. Technological efficacy was observed from the reported series of the indicator incidence of medication errors. Results: Thirteen technologies were identified to prevent medication errors. The average cost of […]

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the use of fall-risk-increasing drugs among patients with falls reported to the Patient Safety Office of a hospital, and to identify the factors associated with high risk for fall. Methods A cross-sectional study, carried out in a teaching hospital. The study population was the universe of fall reports received by the Patient Safety Office. The dependent variable was a high risk for falls. The Medication Fall Risk Score was used to measure fall risk. Descriptive, univariate […]

ABSTRACT Objective: To reduce the inappropriate identification of eye drops, through the use of different colors. Methods: A group of 34 healthy volunteers was presented to two groups of four eye drops each. All eye drops were placed in identical, unlabelled vials. In one group, all four eye drops were transparent. In the other group, each had a different color. A number was assigned to each eye drop, and the volunteer was asked to identify it by color. We measured […]

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify compatibility, types and frequency of errors in preparation and administration of intravenous drugs. Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study performed at the emergency department of a university hospital in the city of São Paulo (SP). The sample consisted of 303 observations of the preparation and administration of intravenous drugs by nursing aides, nursing technicians and registered nurses, using a systematized script, similar to a checklist. The following variables were collected: errors related to dispensing, omission, schedule, […]

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the ten-year risk of hip and osteoporotic fracture in home care patients using the FRAX® tool. Methods A retrospective, cross-sectional observational study including patients aged ≥ 40 and ≤ 90 years and receiving home care from a private provider. The risk of fracture was calculated using an online calculator. High risk was defined as risk of hip fracture greater than 3% or risk of osteoporotic fracture greater than 20%. Data were expressed as absolute number (n), […]