M. Espinosa Bosch

Analytical methodologies for the determination of cisplatin.

cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) is a important chemotherapeutic drug for cancer treatment since 1978. Unfortunately, because of the severe side-effects like nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, etc., they are administered in small doses at low concentration establishing the maximum limit dosage to 100 mg/m(2) (21 days). A variety of analytical methods have been proposed for the determination of cisplatin in biological fluids and tissues that permit the accurate determination at or below the part per billion level in the native sample. The purpose of the current review is to provide a systematic survey of the latest analytical techniques for the determination of cisplatin in biological samples.

Recent developments in analytical determination of furosemide

Furosemide (FUR), a drug that promotes urine excretion, is used in the pharmacotherapy of various diseases and is considered as a doping agent in sports. FUR is a powerful diuretic (water pill). This medicine is used to treat excessive fluid accumulation and swelling (edema) of the body caused by heart failure, cirrhosis, chronic kidney failure, and nephrotic syndrome. Owing to its extensive use as a powerful diuretic, FUR has long attracted the attention of many analysts. A variety of analytical methods have been proposed for the determination of FUR in biological fluids and pharmaceutical samples. The revision includes the most relevant analytical methodologies used in its determination from the nineties decade at present.

Analytical methodologies for the determination of sertraline

Sertraline is a widely used antidepressant belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class; its efficacy has been demonstrated not only in the treatment of major depression, obsessive compulsive and panic disorders, but also for eating, premenstrual dysphoric and post-traumatic stress disorders. Several methods have been published for the determination of sertraline in pharmaceuticals, biological materials and environmental samples. The purpose of the current review is to provide a systematic survey of the latest analytical techniques for the determination of sertraline covering the period from 1987 until 2008.

5PSQ-120 New circuit of medication reconciliation in emergency, pharmacy and geriatrics departments

Background Inpatient safety studies show that medication errors are the leading cause of adverse health-related events. A high percentage of these errors occur during care transitions. Medication reconciliation is an important strategy in reducing medication errors, whenever pharmacological treatments must be reviewed within the first 24 to 48 hours after admission, which is a key point in improving patients’ safety. Purpose Implement a new circuit of medication reconciliation in geriatric patients to reduce medication errors during care transitions. Material and methods A prospective, 1 year intervention study, starting in February 2016. The medication was reconciled at two different times: in the admission to the Emergency Department (ED) and in the Geriatrics Department. Patients older than 65 years and six or more drugs admitted to the Geriatrics Department were included. The reconciliation was done by interviewing patients or carers in the the ED, medical records check and GP prescription. The discrepancies detected were collected and resolved each time the medication was reconciled, the reconciliation errors were quantified and a reconciliation report was made prior to admission to the Geriatrics Department. A database was designed to generate automatic reports to accelerate the process and to make it easier for the practitioner to access the patient’s entire pharmacotherapeutic history before entering the ward, a key point in the circuit to improve the safety during the following intrahospitalary transitions. Results Reconciliation in the admission to the ED was done with a report to 288 patients (mean age 82.8 years), of which the circuit was completed in 197 (68.4%) with admission to the Geriatrics Department and validation of treatment at the ward. A total of 3371 drugs were reconciled in the ED (mean 11.7) and 2151 in the Geriatrics Department. There were 837 discrepancies at admission, of which 736 (87.9%) were not justified, 284 potentially inappropriate drugs were found (87.4% accepted), 173 relevant interactions (94.3% performance) and 72 problems related to the drug itself (86.4% performance). In the Geriatrics Department, 223 unjustified discrepancies were found, of which 47 were recognised reconciliation errors (severity C). Conclusion The availability of the reconciliation report prior to admission to the Geriatrics Department improves work and reduces reconciliation errors, compared to data available from previous studies. The automatic report is the most remarkable innovation that has accelerated and standardised the process. No conflict of interest