Elaine Wong

Treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infection in adult patients with hematologic malignancies based on an institution-specific guideline.

D. McCoy, E. Wong, A.G. Kuyumjian, M.A. Wynd, R. Sebti, G.B. Munk. Treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infection in adult patients with hematologic malignancies based on an institution‐specific guideline.
Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 117–121. All rights reserved

HIV pharmacotherapy: A review of integrase inhibitors.

ABSTRACTIntegrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are a class of antiretroviral agents used to treat HIV. These drugs—raltegravir, elvitegravir, and dolutegravir—are preferred options for treatment-naïve patients when used in combination with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Based on clinical trials, INSTIs have been proven to be effective with minimal safety concerns. This article reviews the pharmacologic profile, role in therapy, and safety and efficacy of each agent.

A case-based approach to evaluating azithromycin use and cardiovascular risks.

Azithromycin is a commonly prescribed macrolide antibiotic for the management of community-acquired pneumonia in the outpatient setting. Recent data have led to a growing concern of abnormal changes in cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias associated with its use. As azithromycin continues to be prescribed, clinicians should be aware of the new safety data and how it may affect concomitant medications or comorbid conditions in a patient. This article utilizes a case-based approach to assess azithromycin use and the risk of QT-prolongation and cardiac arrhythmias.

Incorporating Team-Based Learning Into a Physician Assistant Clinical Pharmacology Course.

Purpose To obtain student perceptions of team-based learning and compare the effectiveness of team-based learning and traditional lecture formats in a clinical pharmacology course for physician assistant (PA) students. Methods Clinical pharmacology is a course offered to PA students in their first year of training at LIU Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. In spring 2014, half of the course was offered in a traditional lecture format and the remaining half was offered in a team-based learning format. The team-based learning format had 3 components: (1) prereading assignments, (2) individual readiness assessment tests, and (3) team readiness assessment tests. So that student perceptions of the integration of team-based learning activities into the course could be evaluated, presurveys and postsurveys were administered. The effectiveness of team-based learning was evaluated by comparing overall student performance with student performance in the preceding year. Results Thirty-three students were enrolled in the course and completed the presurveys and postsurveys. The survey results are presented in Table 1. Comparison of student performance on examinations with performance from the previous year showed similar outcomes. Conclusion Incorporating a team-based learning pedagogical approach in the PA pharmacology course yielded similar examination results to those of traditional lecture formats. Presurvey and postsurvey questionnaires yielded various student perceptions of team-based learning.

Pharmacist-led discharge counseling on subcutaneous insulin use and administration

According to guidelines issued by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for developing diabetes care plans, insulin is required in all patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and should be considered in patients with type 2 diabetes

Evaluating and assessing dabigatran drug interactions.

Dabigatran is a novel oral direct thrombin inhibitor that has been shown to have beneficial outcomes in the prevention of thromboembolic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Its advantages compared with warfarin may include decreased laboratory monitoring (e.g., international normalized ratio), minimal cytochrome P450 drug interactions, lack of dietary interactions, and faster onset of action. However, dabigatran is still associated with drug interactions, as will be reviewed through a patient case. Consultant pharmacists should carefully review a patient&s medication profile and evaluate the pros and cons of dabigatran therapy as its use becomes more prevalent.