Motivators and Barriers for Pursuing Postgraduate Programs in Pharmacy Practice Among Pharmacy Interns in Saudi Arabia.

Postgraduate programs (PGPs) in pharmacy practice have gained significant importance in recent years, reflecting the evolving roles and expanding responsibilities of pharmacists globally. Understanding the factors that influence the decision to pursue such programs is essential for workforce development and educational planning. This study aimed to assess the motivations and barriers influencing pharmacy interns in Saudi Arabia to pursue PGPs in pharmacy practice.

Medication reconciliation in intensive care units of a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia: An evaluation of medication discrepancies.

Background: Patients discharged from intensive care units (ICUs) are at higher risk for medication discrepancies, which can harm patients, increase healthcare costs, and lead to readmission. This study aimed to describe the frequency and types of medication discrepancies among ICU patients upon discharge and identify the factors associated with medication discrepancies.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients ≥ 18 years old, admitted to medical or surgical ICUs, and discharged on one or more medications.

Exploring Pediatric Sutural Variations with Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Imaging: A Retrospective Study at a Tertiary Hospital.

Background: Sutural anatomy variation has long been a topic of debate among anatomists, paleontologists, and morphologists. While the exact reasons for the prevalence of this variance remain a topic of ongoing discussion, developmental and genetic factors are hypothesized to be the main reasons. Understanding the morphology and occurrence of normal sutural variations in pediatric patients is essential to making the right diagnosis, where a misinterpretation of a sutural bone may lead to an inaccurate assessment, completely misleading the diagnostic process.

Patterns of acetaminophen toxicity among patients with low-risk serum concentrations.

Objective: In 2012, the Commission on Human Medicines mandated lowering the acetaminophen toxicity nomogram treatment threshold in the UK to 100 µg/ml at 4 h post-ingestion. The present study aim was to evaluate biochemical and liver toxicity patterns in patients who presented with acetaminophen overdose and had low serum acetaminophen concentrations (<150 µg/ml).

Methods: Patients admitted to the emergency department with a clear history of acute acetaminophen overdose with or without other medication or ethanol were consecutively enrolled into this retrospective cohort study.

Mental health status among COVID-19 patients survivors of critical illness in Saudi Arabia: A 6-month follow-up questionnaire study.

Background: Psychological assessment after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge is increasingly used to assess patients' cognitive and psychological well-being. However, few studies have examined those who recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is a paucity of data from the Middle East assessing the post-ICU discharge mental health status of patients who had COVID-19.

Safety and quality of AI chatbots for drug-related inquiries: A real-world comparison with licensed pharmacists.

Introduction: Pharmacists play a pivotal role in ensuring patients are administered safe and effective medications; however, they encounter obstacles such as elevated workloads and a scarcity of qualified professionals. Despite the prospective utility of large language models (LLMs), such as Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs), in addressing pharmaceutical inquiries, their applicability in real-world cases remains unexplored.

Objective: To evaluate GPT-based chatbots' accuracy in real-world drug-related inquiries, comparing their performance to licensed pharmacists.

Early Versus Late Antipseudomonal β-Lactam Antibiotic Dose Adjustment in Critically Ill Sepsis Patients With Acute Kidney Injury: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of sepsis, contributing to an increased mortality rate. However, some studies have demonstrated that renal function improves in sepsis patients with AKI within 48 hours, raising questions about the necessity for early antibiotic adjustment. This study evaluates the association between the timing of antipseudomonal β-lactam dose adjustment and the outcomes of critically ill sepsis patients with AKI.

Diffuse axonal injury on magnetic resonance imaging and its relation to neurological outcomes in pediatric traumatic brain injury.

Objective: Diffuse axonal injury (DAI), a frequent consequence of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI), presents challenges in predicting long-term recovery. This study investigates the relationship between the severity of DAI and neurological outcomes in children.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 51 pediatric TBI patients diagnosed with DAI using Adam's classification.

Quality of life tools among patients on dialysis: A systematic review.

Introduction:  The universal increase in obesity and diabetes has increased the chronic kidney disease (CKD) rate. In 2017, almost 800 million individuals suffered from CKD worldwide. Kidney dialysis becomes necessary as the disease progresses.

Characteristics of Critical Care Pharmacy Services in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: Critical care pharmacists (CCPs) in intensive care units (ICUs) are associated with improved patient outcomes, reduced adverse events (ADEs), and reduced mortality rates. This study aimed to describe the activities and pharmacy services provided by CCP in ICUs in hospitals in Saudi Arabia (SA).

Methods: In this cross-sectional prospective study, a questionnaire was electronically sent to CCPs practicing in SA between September 2022 and January 2023.

Comparison of medical documentation between pharmacist-led anticoagulation clinics and physician-led anticoagulation clinics: A retrospective study.

Background And Objectives: High-quality documentation is critical in medical settings for providing safe patient care. This study was done with the objective of assessing the standard of medical records in anticoagulation clinics and investigating the distinctions between notes written by pharmacists and physicians.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of data from electronic health records (EHRs) was performed on patients who received anticoagulation and were observed at anticoagulation clinics from October to December 2020.

Reactive Arthritis in Children: Case Report, Narrative Review and Proposed Therapy.

Reactive arthritis is an acute inflammatory aseptic arthritis that is preceded by an infectious process in genetically predisposed individuals. It has been associated with gastrointestinal or genitourinary infection. Reactive arthritis is rare in children.

Effectiveness of antibiotic-loaded bone cement in total joint arthroplasty at a tertiary medical center: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Data regarding the effectiveness of antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) in preventing prosthetic joint infections (PJI) after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is inconsistent. The objective of this study was to evaluate if the routine use of ALBC influenced the risk of revision surgery due to PJI.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study performed between January 2018 and September 2020.

Clinical pharmacy services in acute care setting during mass gatherings (Hajj): Insights from a task force.

Background: Hajj is the largest mass gathering worldwide that takes place every year in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive guide and expectations for delivering and optimizing clinical pharmacy services during one of the largest mass gatherings in the world, Hajj pilgrimage METHODS: A task force initiated and included members of clinical pharmacists who previously participated in delivering clinical pharmacy services during the Hajj pilgrimage, members of the Saudi Society of Clinical Pharmacy (SSCP), and policymakers from different sectors and representatives from pharmaceutical care of the Ministry of Health (MOH). The members established an expert task force to conceptualize and draft the proposed suggestions highlighting the roles and responsibilities of clinical pharmacists during the annual Hajj season.

Clinical Pharmacy Faculty Provision of Direct Patient Care, Challenges, and Opportunities.

Background: The quadripartite mission of clinical track faculty members involves research, teaching, services, and direct patient care. However, the extent of faculty involvement in direct patient care remains a challenge. Thus, the study's objective is to evaluate the effort spent on direct patient care by clinical faculty of pharmacy schools in Saudi Arabia (S.

The Toothbrushing Effects on Surface Properties and Color Stability of CAD/CAM and Pressable Ceramic Fixed Restorations-An In Vitro Study.

Pressable ceramic restorations have been introduced and investigated, and found comparable to CAD/CAM ceramic in terms of mechanical properties; however, the effect of toothbrushing on the pressable ceramic has not been thoroughly investigated. The objective of the current study was to assess the effect of artificial toothbrushing simulation on the surface roughness, microhardness, and color stability of different ceramic materials. Three lithium disilicate-based ceramics (IPS Emax CAD [EC], IPS Emax Press [EP]; (Ivoclar Vivadent AG), and LiSi Press [LP] (GC Corp, Tokyo, Japan)) were examined.

Updates in the Management of Hyperglycemic Crisis.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects the metabolism of primary macronutrients such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Due to the high prevalence of DM, emergency admissions for hyperglycemic crisis, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) are fairly common and represent very challenging clinical management in practice. DKA and HHS are associated with high mortality rates if left not treated.

The potential role of adjunctive ascorbic acid in the prevention of colistin-induced nephrotoxicity in critically ill patients: A retrospective study.

Background: Colistin is considered a valuable and last-resort therapeutic option for MDR gram-negative bacteria. Nephrotoxicity is the most clinically pertinent adverse effect of colistin. Vivo studies suggest that administering oxidative stress-reducing agents, such as ascorbic acid, is a promising strategy to overcome colistin-induced nephrotoxicity (CIN).

Standard dosing of enoxaparin versus unfractionated heparin in critically ill patient with COVID-19: a multicenter propensity-score matched study.

Background: Thrombotic events are common in critically ill patients with COVID-19 and have been linked with COVID-19- induced hyperinflammatory state. In addition to anticoagulant effects, heparin and its derivatives have various anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that may affect patient outcomes. This study compared the effectiveness and safety of prophylactic standard-doses of enoxaparin and unfractionated heparin (UFH) in critically ill patients with COVID-19.

The role of drug information centers to improve medication safety in Saudi Arabia - a study from healthcare professionals' perspective.

Background And Objective: The primary function of the Drug Information Center (DIC) is to provide drug-related information to healthcare professionals. The purpose of this research was to assess the use of drug information centers by health care the professionals to improve medication safety in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out at King Khalid University Hospital's drug and poison information center (DPIC).

Crossword puzzle as a learning tool to enhance learning about anticoagulant therapeutics.

Background: Educational games make the learning process more enjoyable, fun, and create a competitive classroom environment that can positively affect learning. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pharmacy students' perceptions of crossword puzzles (CWPs) as a learning tool in the pharmacotherapy cardiovascular module focusing on anticoagulants' therapeutics and assessing if students' preference of learning style influenced their perception.

Methods: Clues for the puzzle were developed, validated, and piloted by course faculty.