Hospital Pharmacy最新文献

Purpose: This study examines the correlation between time-in-therapeutic range (TTR) and anticoagulation-related adverse events (AEs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (Afib) in a pharmacist-managed ambulatory care clinic. Methods: A single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted at a community hospital-based outpatient anticoagulation clinic to investigate the predictive value of suboptimal TTR percentages for hemorrhagic or thromboembolic events in Afib patients. Eligible participants were aged 18 years or older, diagnosed with Afib, and receiving warfarin therapy as current or past enrollees in the anticoagulation management program. Patients seen at the clinic between April 2017 and June 2023 were included and categorized into 2 groups based on their TTR: TTR < 65% or TTR ≥ 65%. The primary outcome assessed was the TTR achieved by clinic patients. Secondary outcomes included the duration of warfarin therapy, percentage of thromboembolic events, percentage of hemorrhagic events, CHADs-VASc score, HAS-BLED score, and reasons documented for suboptimal TTR. Results: A total of 193 patients were included, with an average TTR of 66.17%. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Five patients in the TTR < 65% group and 3 in the TTR ≥ 65% group (P = .391) experienced thromboembolic events; 19 and 15 patients (P = .291) experienced hemorrhagic events, respectively. Those with TTR ≥ 65% had longer warfarin durations and lower HAS-BLED scores. CHADs-VASc scores were comparable. Main reasons for suboptimal TTR included drug-drug interactions, missed warfarin doses, dietary vitamin K intake changes, held warfarin doses, and incorrect warfarin dosing. Conclusion: This study found that at an outpatient pharmacist-managed anticoagulation clinic, the average TTR for atrial fibrillation patients with an INR goal range of 2 to 3 was greater than 65%. Additionally, there were no differences in bleeding or stroke events for patients whose TTR < 65% when compared to those patients whose TTR was  ≥ 65%.

Background: Tirzepatide is a novel glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (RA) that is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Despite its similarities to GLP-1 RA, there is a lack of data on how to switch between GLP-1 RA and GIP/GLP-1 RA. Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of switching from GLP-1 RA to tirzepatide in patients with T2D and provide guidance for switching between the two classes. Methods: This was a retrospective case series of patients with T2D who met protocol criteria for switching between the two classes. Hemoglobin A1C (A1C) and weight data were evaluated at 3 and 6 months. Results: A total of 10 patients were included. Mean change from baseline in A1C was -0.7 ± 0.9% at 3 months (N = 8) compared to -1.4 ± 0.7% at 6 months (N = 4). Percentage of patients who achieved their goal A1C was 25% (2/8) at 3 months post switch compared to 50% (2/4) at 6 months. Mean change from baseline in weight was -3.6 ± 2.3 kg at 3 months and -6 ± 3.4 kg at 6 months. Percentage of patients who achieved weight loss from baseline of ≥10% was 0 at 3 months versus 33.3% (1/3) at 6 months. Few adverse events were reported after switching. Conclusion: Switching can be considered for patients with T2D that require further A1C and weight reduction to reach their target goals despite being on GLP-1 RA.

Purpose: To compare deprescribing rates of stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) between children receiving "usual-dose" (<4 mg/kg/day methylprednisolone equivalents) versus "high-dose" (≥4 mg/kg/day methylprednisolone equivalents) corticosteroids for status asthmaticus in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods: This retrospective, cohort study included children <18 years of age receiving corticosteroids for status asthmaticus and SUP from 1/1/2017 to 6/31/2022. The primary objective was to compare the number of children that were deprescribed SUP following transition from the PICU to the floor and at hospital discharge between groups. Secondary objectives included a comparison of SUP-associated adverse events (ADEs) (pneumonia, Clostridium difficile colitis, thrombocytopenia, necrotizing enterocolitis) between groups. Comparisons were performed using exact χ² test or Wilcoxon U-tests as appropriate, with a P value <.05. Results: Ninety-six patients received usual-dose and 57 received high-dose corticosteroids. Eighteen (11.8%) patients were transferred within 24 hours of PICU admission and started on SUP on the floor. Thirteen (8.5%) patients were discharged home from the PICU. The remaining 122 (79.7%) patients were transferred from PICU to the floor and there was no statistical difference for continuation of SUP on the floor between usual-dose versus high-dose group, 58 (76.3%) versus 31 (67.4%) patients, P = .282. Overall, 25 of 153 (16.3%) patients were discharged home on SUP, but there was no difference between groups. SUP-associated ADEs did not differ between groups. Conclusions: SUP continuation during transitions of care in this cohort was common. Assessment of SUP continuation is needed during transitions of care to promote SUP stewardship and limit risk of SUP-associated ADEs.

Scholarly activities are essential for enhancing the pharmacy profession, as well as for personal career development. New practitioner pharmacists in academic or community medical center settings may hesitate to incorporate research into their practice if they feel that they do not have the appropriate resources and guidance. While residency provides structured support for research endeavors, new pharmacists may still find research activities daunting to initiate on their own. Many factors should be considered, including strategies for incorporating research into current roles, collaboration efforts, professional opportunities, and timeline considerations, to help pharmacists effectively implement research early in their careers. This article provides new practitioners with a roadmap to navigate challenges and achieve success when integrating scholarly activities into their practice.

Background: Critical care pharmacists complete comprehensive medication reviews in Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) patients at Intensive Care Unit Recovery Centers (ICU-RCs) to optimize medication therapies after hospital discharge. Inpatient pharmacists often complete medication reconciliations prior to hospital discharge, which could affect interventions at an ICU-RC. However, this association remains ill-described. Objective: The purpose of this study was to, in patients with PICS, describe the effect of an inpatient, pharmacist-led medication reconciliation on the number of clinical pharmacist interventions at the first ICU-RC visit. Methods: This was a post-hoc subgroup analysis of an international, multicenter cohort study of adults who had a pharmacist-led comprehensive medication reconciliation conducted in 12 ICU-RCs. Only patients' first ICU-RC visit was eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome was the number of medication interventions made at initial ICU-RC visit in PICS patients who had an inpatient, pharmacist-led medication reconciliation compared to those who did not. Results: Of 323 patients included, 83 received inpatient medication reconciliations and 240 did not. No difference was observed in the median number of medication interventions between groups (2 vs 2, p = .06). However, a higher incidence of any intervention (86.3% vs 78.3%, p = .09) and dose adjustment (20.4% vs 9.6%; p = .03) was observed in the no medication reconciliation group. Only ICU Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score was associated with an increased odds of medication intervention at ICU-RC visit (aOR 1.15, 95% CI 1.05-1.25, p < .01). Conclusion and Relevance: No difference in the total number of medication interventions made by ICU-RC clinical pharmacists was observed in patients who received an inpatient, pharmacist-led medication reconciliation before hospital discharge compared to those who did not. Still, clinical observations within this study highlight the continued importance and study of clinical pharmacist involvement during transitions of care, including ICU-RC visits.

Background: Medication reconciliation is one of the best measures to prevent medication-related errors at the time of admission and discharge of patients. We conducted a quasi-experimental study to evaluate the impact of a Medication reconciliation improvement package (intervention) on adherence to medication reconciliation at the time of admission in Department of Internal Medicine. The study included all adult patients admitted to internal medicine from August 2019 to December 2020. Pre-intervention data on adherence to medication reconciliation was less than 50%. The study involved creation of a quality improvement team to conduct a root-cause analysis which identified the need to target physician related issues and hence drafted a medication reconciliation improvement package which included meetings with physicians on the internal medicine floor, dedicated WhatsApp groups for repeated reminders, and appreciation messages for timely adherence. We used the Chi Square test to check the association between adherence to medication reconciliation and physicians and acuity level. Findings: We included 7914 records of patients, in which 4471 participants (56.4%) were from pre-intervention phase and 3443 (43.5%) were from intervention groups. The overall adherence to medication reconciliation was 54.3% (4297/7914). Adherence of medication reconciliation increased from 44.4% (1983/4471) in the pre-intervention phase to 67.2% (2314/3443) in the intervention phase (P < .001). Improvement was observed in adherence of medication reconciliation done by residents and in low acuity areas (P < .005). Conclusion: The Medical reconciliation improvement package is a simple low-cost intervention that resulted in improvement in adherence to medication reconciliation but needs further studies to assess its sustainability. However, it awaits to be seen if the same improvement can also be replicated to qualitative medication errors and clinical outcomes respectively.

Objective: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) has been identified as a potential adverse drug reaction associated with the use of low-dose aspirin (LDA). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between variants in the TBXA2R gene, which is involved in platelet aggregation, and the risk of UGIB in patients with cardiovascular diseases treated with LDA. Methods: A case-control study was conducted at a Brazilian hospital complex. Three groups were defined: (1) case group (n = 50): patients with cardiovascular disease who used LDA and were diagnosed with UGIB of non-variceal etiology, (2) LDA control group (n = 50): patients with cardiovascular disease who used LDA without developing UGIB, and (3) healthy control group (n = 189). Data were collected through face-to-face interviews, and blood samples were collected for the analysis of Helicobacter pylori infection and genotyping of 3 genetic variants [rs2238631 (C > T), rs4807491 (A > G), and rs1131882 (A > G)]. Results: The case group had a significantly higher frequency of carriers of the rs4807491.G allele compared to the control group of LDA users (P-value = .004). No significant difference was observed in the proportion of carriers of the rs2238631.T and 1131882.G variants between the studied groups. Carriers of rs2238631.T (OR: 4.515, 95% CI: 1.37-14.89) and rs4807491.G allele (OR: 3.232, 95% CI: 1.12-9.37) exhibited a higher risk of UGIB. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the presence of the rs2238631 and rs4807491 variant alleles is associates with a 3- to 4-fold increased risk of UGIB in patients with cardiovascular diseases treated with LDA. Future studies with larger sample sizes should confirm these results and to better identify individuals who may benefit from chronic LDA use.

Purpose: To determine the safety and efficacy of phytonadione in patients with an elevated international normalized ratio (INR) secondary to chronic liver disease without active bleeding. Methods: This retrospective chart review compared hospitalized patients from 2015 to 2022 with a diagnosis of chronic liver disease, a baseline INR of 1.2 to 1.9, and without active bleeding who did or did not receive phytonadione. The primary outcome was the incidence of new bleeding. The incidence of thrombosis and change in INR were also evaluated. Results: A total of 133 patients were included, of which 46 received phytonadione (mean 2.46 doses and mean dose 7.95 mg, 72.74% intravenously). Child-Pugh scores were higher in phytonadione patients (8.7 vs 9.93, P = .0003). There was no difference in the incidences of new bleeding (9.20 vs 13.04%, P = .492) or thrombosis (3.45 vs 0%, P = .203) between the control and phytonadione groups. After phytonadione administration, there was no change in INR, while INR increased by 0.24 in the control group (P = .025). Conclusion: In chronic liver disease patients who were not bleeding, phytonadione did not reduce INR or the incidence of new bleeding.

Each month, subscribers to The Formulary Monograph Service receive 5 to 6 well-documented monographs on drugs that are newly released or are in late phase 3 trials. The monographs are targeted to Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committees. Subscribers also receive monthly 1-page summary monographs on agents that are useful for agendas and pharmacy/nursing in-services. A comprehensive target drug utilization evaluation/medication use evaluation (DUE/MUE) is also provided each month. With a subscription, the monographs are available online to subscribers. Monographs can be customized to meet the needs of a facility. Through the cooperation of The Formulary, Hospital Pharmacy publishes selected reviews in this column. For more information about The Formulary Monograph Service, contact Wolters Kluwer customer service at 866-397-3433.

Background: Fibrinolysis is more commonly used to manage ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in rural versus urban areas. However, little is known about the outcomes associated with this treatment strategy in rural individuals. We sought to compare in-hospital outcomes associated with the use of fibrinolysis versus primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among patients residing in rural areas presenting with STEMI. Methods: We identified adult patients with STEMI between 2016 and 2021 using the United States National Inpatient Sample. The cohort was restricted to individuals residing in rural areas. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts based on the receipt of initial fibrinolysis versus primary PCI. In-hospital outcomes were compared between cohorts, with in-hospital mortality serving as the primary outcome and length of stay (LOS) serving as a secondary outcome. Results: We identified 13 475 rural STEMI encounters receiving either initial fibrinolytic therapy (n = 1095) or primary PCI (n = 12 380). The average age and number of comorbidities were similar between cohorts. In-hospital mortality occurred in 5.2% of patients, and mean LOS for initial fibrinolysis and primary PCI patients was 3.73 ± 3.739 days and 3.45 ± 3.974 days, respectively. After adjusting for covariates, initial fibrinolysis was not associated with higher in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 0.913; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.679-1.228). Initial fibrinolysis was associated with a small increase in LOS compared to primary PCI (Mean difference = 0.079 days; 95%CI = 0.035-0.123). Conclusions: In this analysis of approximately 13 000 STEMI encounters among rural individuals, patient characteristics between those treated with initial fibrinolysis versus primary PCI were similar. Observed outcomes were not meaningfully different between cohorts. Fibrinolytic therapy should not be an overlooked treatment strategy in rural STEMI patients facing delays in receipt of primary PCI.