When I use a word: Masses and masses

Toward standardized reporting of drug interactions: the READI checklist for anecdotal reports

Anecdotal reports contribute 30% of the literature on adverse drug reactions and interactions. However, the quality of such reports has not been uniformly high. Standardized reporting of clinical studies is of increasing interest, including the CARE guidelines on reporting anecdotal cases in general. Although there are guidelines on evaluating and managing drug-drug interactions, there are none recommending methods for reporting suspected drug interactions. Here, based on published guidelines for reporting suspected adverse drug reactions, I propose a checklist for reporting details of suspected drug interactions, the REporting Anecdotal Drug Interactions (READI) checklist, hoping to stimulate discussion and improve reporting of suspected drug interactions. The checklist includes items relating, among others, to the patient affected, the drugs involved, and the outcome.

Reporting units for therapeutic drug monitoring: a correctable source of potential clinical error

Variation between laboratories and reference sources in the units used for reporting pathology results raises the possibility of medical error. Data submitted to the RCPA Quality Assurance Programs demonstrate wide variation in the units used for reporting therapeutic drug concentrations. This potential source of medical error needs to be addressed by all parties involved in communicating drug concentrations and providing support information.