Research

Medication mistakes: Including a clinical pharmacist on patient rounds cut drug errors by more than half, according to a new study in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy.

Pharmacist intervention also reduced the duration of medication errors, researchers said.

In the study, a pharmacist participated in daily rounds at an academic medical center for one month, investigating allergy information, laboratory test values and medication selection and dosage. At the same time, a team of pharmacists reviewed all patients' medical charts for errors.

Data showed that 46 errors occurred among patients visited by the pharmacist, while 94 errors occurred among patients whose charts were reviewed by the team.

Overall, medication errors were reduced by 51 percent when a pharmacist participated in rounds and the number of patients without a medication error during their hospital stay increased to 40 percent. Errors that did occur lasted less than one day and for less than one dose when a pharmacist participated, compared with 2.4 days and two doses for patients in the control group.

Calendar

Fair: Middletown Regional Hospital's Diabetes Wellness Center will hold its second Diabetes Wellness Fair Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. Free. Information: (513) 727-5474 or www.middletownhospital.org.

Tips

Snuffed: Smoking is more than a bad habit, experts say: It's a powerful addiction with often lethal consequences.

Cigarette smoke contains nicotine, a highly addictive substance, as well as 40 cancer-causing chemicals. Smoking kills 450,000 Americans a year, and 60 million Americans smoke.

Dr. Maher Karam-Hage, an addiction specialist at the University of Michigan/Chelsea Arbor Addiction Treatment Center, offers these tips for giving up cigarettes for good:

• Set a quit date. A date close to a birthday or other meaningful date is easier to remember.

• Prepare physically and mentally for the quit date. Consider medications such as Zyban or nicotine patches.

• Stop buying cigarettes.

• Get rid of the scent of cigarette smoke in the house, car and clothes.

• Find a "cheerleader" who can keep you motivated.

• Talk to your doctor for advice and support.

• Don't give up after one relapse. Just start over with your quit plan as soon as possible.

Help wanted

Friend in need: The Mental Health Association's Warren County Compeer Program needs volunteers to work with men and women with mental illness. Information: 459-9551 or (800) 478-3505.

Siting

Click: Check out www.alzinfo.org, the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation's new Web site.

Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone, 768-8510; fax, 768-8330, or e-mail pofarrell@enquirer.com