Inhalation injury (IHI) causes significant morbidity and mortality in burn victims due to both local and systemic effects. Nebulized heparin promotes improvement in lung function and decreased mortality in IHI by reducing the inflammatory response and fibrin cast formation. The study objective was to determine if nebulized heparin 10,000 units improves lung function and decreases mechanical ventilation duration, mortality, and hospitalization length in IHI with minimal systemic adverse events. This retrospective, case-control study evaluated efficacy and safety of nebulized heparin administered to mechanically ventilated adults admitted within 48 hr of confirmed IHI. Nebulized heparin 10,000 units was administered Q4H for 7 days, or until extubation if sooner, alternating with albuterol and a mucolytic. Patients were matched on a case-by-case basis based on percent TBSA burn and age to patients from a historical group with IHI before heparin protocol implementation. The primary outcome was duration of mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes included lung injury score, ventilator-free days during the first 28 days, 28-day mortality, hospitalization length, ventilator-associated pneumonia incidence, bronchoscopy incidence, and bleeding events. Data were collected in 72 patients, 36 of which received nebulized heparin and 36 historical controls. Two patients from the heparin group and three patients from the control group died/were discharged while on the ventilator. Data were analyzed separately with 1) all subjects included and 2) with subjects who died/were discharged on the ventilator excluded. In the latter comparison, patients receiving nebulized heparin demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in median (interquartile range) duration of initial mechanical ventilation compared with controls [7.0 (4.0, 13.5) vs. 14.5 (5.3, 22.3) days; P = .044]. Patients in the heparin group had a significantly increased number of median (interquartile range) ventilator-free days in the first 28 days [21.0 (14.5-24.0) vs 13.5 (4.3-22.8) days; P = .031]. There were no differences in hospitalization length, lung injury score during the first 7 days post injury, 28-day mortality, ventilator-associated pneumonia rate, or bleeding events. Nebulized heparin 10,000 units in conjunction with a beta-agonist and mucolytic produced a significant decrease in duration of mechanical ventilation and increase in ventilator-free days in adult patients with IHI. Nebulized heparin was safe and did not result in an increase in bleeding events. To our knowledge, this is the first case-control study with matched cohorts based on age and %TBSA which are significant factors contributing to morbidity and mortality in IHI.

Inhalation injury causes significant morbidity and mortality secondary to compromise of the respiratory system as well as systemic effects limiting perfusion and oxygenation. Nebulized heparin reduces fibrin cast formation and duration of mechanical ventilation in patients with inhalation injury. To date, no study has compared both dosing strategies of 5,000 and 10,000 units to a matched control group. This multicenter, retrospective, case-control study included adult patients with bronchoscopy-confirmed inhalation injury. Each control patient, matched according to age and percent of total body surface area, was matched to a patient who received 5,000 units and a patient who received 10,000 units of nebulized heparin. The primary endpoint of the study was duration of mechanical ventilation. Secondary endpoints included 28-day mortality, ventilator-free days in the first 28 days, difference in lung injury scores, length of hospitalization, incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, and rate of major bleeding. Thirty-five matched patient trios met inclusion criteria. Groups were well-matched for age (p = 0.975) and total body surface area (p = 0.855). Patients who received nebulized heparin, either 5,000 or 10,000 units, had 8 to 11 less days on the ventilator compared to controls (p = 0.001). Mortality ranged from 3-14% overall, and was not statistically significant between groups. No major bleeding events related to nebulized heparin were reported. Mechanical ventilation days were significantly decreased in patients who received 5,000 or 10,000 units of nebulized heparin. Nebulized heparin, either 5,000 units or 10,000 units, is a safe and effective treatment for inhalation injury.

Background Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is defined as a new or worsening impairment in physical, cognitive, or mental health following critical illness. Intensive care unit recovery centers (ICU-RC) are one means to treat patients who have PICS. The purpose of this study is to describe the role of pharmacists in ICU-RCs. Research Question What is the number and type of medication interventions made by a pharmacist at an ICU-RC at 12 different centers? Study Design and Methods This prospective, observational study was conducted in 12 intensive care units (ICUs)/ICU-RCs between September 2019 and July 2021. A full medication review was conducted by a pharmacist on patients seen at the ICU-RC. Results 507 patients were referred to the ICU-RC. Of these patients, 474 attended the ICU-RC and 472 had a full medication review performed by a pharmacist. Baseline demographic and hospital course data were obtained from the electronic health record and at the ICU-RC appointment. Pharmacy interventions were made in 397 (84%) patients. The median number of pharmacy interventions per patient was 2 (interquartile range [IQR] = 1,3). Medications were stopped and started in 124 (26%) and 91 (19%) patients, respectively. The number of patients that had a dose decreased and a dose increased was 51 (11%) and 43 (9%), respectively. There was no difference in the median total number of medications that the patient was prescribed at the start and end of the patient visit (10, IQR = 5, 15). Adverse drug event (ADE) preventive measures were implemented in 115 (24%) patients. ADE events were identified in 69 (15%) patients. Medication interactions were identified in 30 (6%) patients. Interpretation A pharmacist plays an integral role in an ICU-RC resulting in the identification, prevention, and treatment of medication-related problems. This paper should serve as a call to action on the importance of the inclusion of a pharmacist in ICU-RC clinics.

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a pharmacist‐managed protocol for transitioning critically ill patients from intravenous (iv) to subcutaneous insulin compared with a provider‐managed process. Methods This single‐center, retrospective, observational study included patients admitted to the medical or surgical/trauma intensive care unit who received a continuous infusion of iv insulin from January 2019 to April 2021. Patients were excluded if they were less than 18 years of age, pregnant, incarcerated, or received iv insulin for the diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state, calcium channel blocker or beta blocker overdose, or hypertriglyceridemia. The primary outcome was the percentage of blood glucose (BG) concentrations within the target range of 70–150 mg/dL from 0 to 48 h following transition to subcutaneous insulin. Secondary outcomes included percentage of BG concentrations within goal range following transition at 0–12 h and 12–24 h, incidence of hypo‐ and hyperglycemia, and percentage of patients requiring dose adjustments after initial transition. Results A total of 110 unique patients were included with 70 patients in the provider‐managed group and 40 patients in the pharmacist‐managed group. On average, pharmacists transitioned patients to 63% basal insulin based on their 24‐h total day dose of insulin. The pharmacist‐managed group achieved glycemic control in 53% of transitions at 12 h, 40% at 24 h, and 47% from 0 to 48 h, while the provider group achieved glycemic control in 25% of transitions at 12 h, 12% at 24 h, and 18% from 0 to 48 h (p < 0.001 for all time points). As for safety end points, the pharmacist‐managed group demonstrated lower rates of hypoglycemia (p = 0.001), severe hypoglycemia (p = 0.332), hyperglycemia (p < 0.001), and severe hyperglycemia (p < 0.001) compared with the provider‐managed group. Conclusions Pharmacists can effectively and safely transition critically ill patients from iv to subcutaneous insulin utilizing a standardized protocol.

Background In an ideal state, the stewardship of antimicrobial agents would happen at the point of order entry. In June 2018, Eskenazi Health implemented a series of clinical decision support tools in the electronic health record (EHR), including required fields on all inpatient antimicrobial orders for indication, type of therapy (empiric or definitive), and duration. When empiric therapy is selected, providers receive a Best Practice Advisory (BPA) at 48 hours to re-evaluate therapy. Additionally, a side bar table was added to all antimicrobials orders that included drug-specific duration of therapy recommendations for common indications. Methods This is a single-center, retrospective, observational chart review that includes adult inpatients prescribed antibiotics for the treatment of CAP or UTI from July 2017 to December 2018. The primary outcome is the overall length of therapy between pre- and post-intervention groups for CAP and UTI. Secondary outcomes include duration of empiric/broad-spectrum therapy, duration of definitive therapy, time to de-escalation, length of hospital stay, C. difficile infections, 30-day readmission, and cost of antimicrobial therapy. Results A total of 541 orders were included for analysis. The composite overall duration of therapy decreased from 7 days to 5 days in the post-intervention group (p&lt; 0.001). For CAP, the duration of therapy (5 days) was not different between groups. For UTI, the duration of therapy decreased from 11 days to 7 days in the post-intervention group (p&lt; 0.001). The duration of empiric therapy decreased from 3 days to 2 days (p&lt; 0.001) and the duration of definitive therapy decreased from 4 days to 3 days (p&lt; 0.001). There was a 1 day longer length of stay for patients in the post-intervention group (p=0.038); however, there was a lower 30-day readmission rate in the post-intervention group (p=0.003). The rate of hospital-acquired C. difficile infections did not differ between groups (p=1.000). It was found that action was taken from the BPA 55.4% of the time after implementation. Conclusion The duration of therapy overall was shortened by 2 days, which was driven by the difference in duration for UTI. Incorporating antimicrobial stewardship principles at the point of order entry can result in fewer days of unnecessary therapy. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.