Original papers and short communications

Does an antimicrobial section on a drug chart influence prescribing?

This audit was carried out to assess whether antimicrobial stewardship can be improved by including a dedicated section for antimicrobial prescribing on the hospital drug chart

An audit of therapeutic doses of low molecular weight heparins

This audit was carried out to assess the prescribing of treatment doses of low molecular weight heparins with respect to clinical indication, patients' weight and renal function

An audit of compliance with warfarin prescribing guidance

This audit was carried out to determine whether or not inpatients newly started on warfarin at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Denbighshire, had been initiated according to audit standards based on local anticoagulation guidance

An audit of the completeness and accuracy of allergy-status documentation

The objectives of this audit were to assess whether or not the allergy status and the nature of the allergy for patients admitted to Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust were recorded accurately. In addition, to determine if patients with true allergies were wearing a red identification bracelet as required by trust policy

A report into the uptake of patient access schemes in the NHS

To assess the impact of the introduction of patient access schemes (PASs) for cancer medicines on front-line NHS staff; identify any problems with current schemes; gain feedback on how the schemes are working in practice; and identify what makes a good scheme

Auditing use of IV paracetamol in a surgical division and intensive care

To identify the proportion of patients receiving paracetamol inappropriately via the IV route, determine trends for inappropriate administration, and identify effective changes that maximise its safe and effective use

Clopidogrel plus proton pump inhibitors: a therapeutic dilemma

To examine published evidence of a potential interaction between clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), determine the significance of the interaction and make recommendations regarding the impact of the interaction on clinical practice 

An evaluation of the new CPD learning format “learning@lunch”

To report on the evaluation of a new vocational learning format “learning@lunch”. The learning@lunch programme is designed for hospital pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to work together during their lunch break to explore clinical topics.

Cost savings from using patients’ own drugs in a paediatric hospital

Patients’ own drugs and dispensing for discharge schemes are becoming more common. Members of the pharmacy team at Evelina Children’s Hospital, London, assessed the benefit of such schemes locally in this SHORT COMMUNICATION.

Evaluation of a team-based clinical service for surgical inpatients

How a pharmacy team of varied skill mix has prioritised pharmaceutical care based on the complexity of individual surgical patients is described in this SHORT COMMUNICATION.