Erin F. Barreto, Pharm.D.

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SUMMARY

Erin F. Barreto, Pharm.D., R.Ph., is a clinical pharmacist and researcher who specializes in critical care. Her interests lie in understanding and exploring mechanisms to individualize pharmacotherapy for acutely ill patients. In particular, her research focuses on optimizing the safe and effective use of renally eliminated and nephrotoxic medications. Advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology and outcomes of acute kidney injury (AKI) and novel methods to better detect and quantify kidney dysfunction allow her to continually address new questions about the use of medications in these settings.

Focus areas

• Limiting the burden of drug-associated nephrotoxicity. Nephrotoxic medications are one of the few modifiable risk factors for AKI. Dr. Barreto explores predictors of nephrotoxic burden in the hospital and the use of safer alternatives.
• Development of individualized drug dosing models for renally eliminated therapies. Dr. Barreto and colleagues use novel methods to quantitate glomerular filtration rate and predict renal clearance of antibiotics and anti-neoplastics.
• Improving medication safety in AKI survivors at care transitions. Attentive medication management in care transitions is necessary to facilitate kidney function recovery, prevent adverse effects from renally cleared medications, and reduce risk of long-term kidney disease.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Barreto's research addresses questions that emerge directly from her experiences as a clinical pharmacist and member of the multidisciplinary intensive care unit team. On a daily basis, she works to navigate the safe and effective use of necessary medications processed by, or toxic to, the kidney. Her research agenda addresses this knowledge gap and builds toward the overall goal of improving medication effectiveness and safety in patients at risk of or with kidney dysfunction.

Professional highlights

• Fellow, American College of Critical Care Medicine, 2018-present
• Kern Health Care Delivery Scholar, Mayo Clinic Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, 2017-present
• Program director, PGY-2 Pharmacy Residency in Critical Care, Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, 2017-present
• Executive committee member, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology Section, Society of Critical Care Medicine, 2015-present