Hospital pharmacists' role in the prevention and management of respiratory syncytial virus.
OBJECTIVE
The role pharmacists play in managing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
RSV can be a life-threatening disease in certain high-risk populations. Pharmacists can play an important role in partnering with other health care providers to reduce RSV-associated morbidity and mortality by identifying children who are at high risk for the disease, determining the most appropriate therapy for managing RSV, and identifying those who are candidates for immunoprophylaxis.


CONCLUSIONS
Pharmacists need to be involved in the selection, initiation, modification, and monitoring of a patient's RSV drug therapy and should also help implement institutional protocols for the management and prevention of RSV.
Robinson
Renee F
RF
Critical Care Systems, Inc., 705 F Lakeview Plaza Blvd., Worthington, OH 43085, USA. rrobinson@criticalcaresystems.com
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010595:Pharmacists; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D024382:Professional Role; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents