By Brian D. De Smet, Pharm.D., M.S., pharmacy specialist, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit   “Diversion,” as defined in the Uniform Controlled Substances Act of 1994, means the transfer of a controlled substance from a lawful to an unlawful channel of distribution or use and should always be an issue of concern to pharmacists and pharmacy staff.   As the last checkpoint befor...

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By Jennifer Chou, PharmD, PGY2 infectious diseases pharmacy resident, Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak   Overtreatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) remains a common problem that can lead to increased antibiotic resistance, increased risk for C. difficile infection and adverse effects. ASB is the isolation of bacteria in a urine culture from a patient without symptoms such as dysuria, urina...

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By Bradley St. Pierre, PharmD; Michelle Crisher, PharmD; Domenico Grande, Pharm D; Vitaliy Perets, PharmD, pharmacy residents, St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit The increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients hospitalized for an acute medical illness has been well documented in the literature.1 Uncertainty exists as to whether this risk extends beyond hospitalizati...

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By Marla Ekola, Pharm.D., BCPS, MBA, director of pharmacy, Memorial Healthcare, Owosso and Whitley Shaver, Pharm.D. candidate 2018, Ferris State University In March 2016, Gov. Snyder created the Michigan Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Commission. In October 2017, the Trump Administration declared the opioid epidemic a national public health emergency. In Dec. 2017, Lt. Gov. Calley signed into...

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By Pui Shan (Debby) Chu, Pharm.D., PGY1 pharmacy resident, Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak and Jennifer Chou, Pharm.D., PGY1 infectious diseases pharmacy resident, Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak   To combat multi-drug resistant bacteria, most hospitals have implemented comprehensive inpatient antimicrobial stewardship programs. While it is imperative to halt overuse of inpatient antibiotics,...

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