Journal of pharmacy practice最新文献

Background: Telepharmacy is a method utilized in pharmacy practice that delivers pharmaceutical care services via telecommunication technology. In the Philippines, the current process for patients to avail of telepharmacy services utilizes a variety of existing applications or websites instead of a single application. Objectives: This study aimed to assess patient feedback on the feasibility of the newly developed telepharmacy mobile application, YourRx. Specifically, it evaluated the application's functionality, usability, security, and performance. Methods: The study had 3 phases: (1) the design and development phase, (2) the implementation phase, wherein the pharmacists and patients were oriented beforehand with the use of YourRx mobile application, and (3) the evaluation phase, where the mobile application was evaluated for its functionality, usability, security, and performance by the patients through the use of a survey questionnaire and an interview. Results: YourRx application was developed and evaluated successfully. It is available for Android users and has primary features, including video calls, sharing, and setting an appointment. A total of 46 patients used the YourRx. Most of the patients were very satisfied with the navigation, service acquisition, and overall design of the YourRx. They expressed convenience in acquiring telepharmacy services because the application was easy to understand, use, and navigate. Conclusion: YourRx is a pioneering telepharmacy mobile application in the Philippines. The results of this study substantiate that YourRx is a user-friendly platform that provides patients convenient access to telepharmacy services with less time and effort thus improving patient health outcomes.

Purpose: Between 2009 and 2015, the Canadian health care system was estimated to be responsible for 4.6% of national carbon emissions. Determine awareness of and describe eco-initiatives that the department of pharmacy can implement to aim to reduce the carbon footprint in hospital pharmacy in an effort to 'go green'. Methods: In a quality improvement initiative, pharmacy employees (i.e. pharmacists and pharmacy technicians) completed a cross-sectional survey designed to gauge willingness to 'go green' at work, to identify actionable areas of waste, and to assess commuting practices. Results: A total of 15 respondents completed the survey conducted March 14th -April 7th, 2022. Most respondents (73%) were willing to engage in more sustainable practices at work. The main barriers to implementing green practices at work were 'too time consuming' (20%), 'adds too much complexity' (20%), and 'cost' (16%). For commuting, 60% indicated the primary mode of transportation as 'personal vehicle', where 'subsidized transit' and was listed as the greatest incentive that could encourage a greener commute. The three largest areas of waste cited were 'single use plastic' (36%), 'limited of awareness of green practices' (15%), and 'lights left on in empty rooms' (12%). Conclusions: Pharmacy staff shared willingness to engage in more sustainable 'go green' practices but raised challenges to do so. With the knowledge that Canada has the second most climate intensive health system, there is a need for future research to describe how hospital pharmacies can contribute strategically to 'go green', advancing with implementing low carbon sustainable pharmacy practices.

This report explores the potential role of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists in minimizing the metabolic side effects of psychotropic medications in patients with underlying type 2 diabetes (T2D) in inpatient psychiatric settings. The introduction of novel antidiabetic medications such as GLP-1 receptor agonists has broadened the options for managing metabolic disorders, particularly T2D. These medications not only offer effective glycemic control but also provide cardiovascular and renal benefits and help with weight management. Given the tendency of psychotropic medications to cause weight gain and metabolic complications, this report presents 2 cases where weekly doses of semaglutide improved blood glucose levels and prevented weight gain in patients receiving chronic psychotropic medications. Integrating GLP-1 receptor agonists into inpatient psychiatric care can help mitigate the metabolic adverse effects of psychotropic medications. However, considerations such as cost, accessibility, and institutional formulary restrictions are essential to ensure comprehensive patient care.

Background: Due to their mechanism of action, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) carry a presumed increased risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) which is reflected in current prescribing data. As SGLT2i prescribing trends increase, some retrospective studies confirm an increased risk of UTI while conflicting studies find no increased risk of UTI associated with this therapy. Objectives: This study aims to compare the odds of developing a UTI in male Veterans with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on metformin taking a SGLT2i vs a sulfonylurea (SU) within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Methods: This retrospective cohort study identified male Veterans with T2DM on metformin with a new fill of SGLT2i or SU between January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022. Patients were then assessed for UTI diagnosis. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was calculated. Results: The SGLT2i cohort had 5.2% of patients diagnosed with outpatient UTI and 1.6% of patients diagnosed with inpatient UTI. The SU cohort had 5.3% of patients diagnosed with outpatient UTI and 1.3% of patients diagnosed with inpatient UTI. A logistic regression analysis resulted in a decreased odds of diagnosis of outpatient UTI in the SGLT2i cohort vs the SU cohort ([AOR] = 0.91, 95% CI [0.86 - 0.96], P-value = < 0.001), and no difference in the diagnosis of inpatient UTI ([AOR] = 1.06, 95% CI [0.96 - 1.18], P-value = 0.234). Conclusion: This retrospective study of national VHA data adds to growing literature which finds no excessive risk of UTI associated with SGLT2i therapies.

In critically ill patients, fluid resuscitation with balanced crystalloids close to plasma osmolarity have a lower risk of electrolyte imbalances and demonstrated better clinical outcomes compared to normal saline (NS). While lactated ringer's (LR) has shown benefit over NS, plasma-lyte (PL) with a higher osmolarity and different electrolyte formulation is hypothesized to be superior. We performed a retrospective observational cohort study over 37 months at a tertiary hospital. Inclusion criteria were hospitalization in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU), trauma indication, ≥18 years old, and received either PL or LR. All PL administrations and every fifth patient with LR as resuscitation were included in order to match the sample size in each group. Primary outcomes were SICU length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, and mortality. Secondary outcomes were biomarker changes from baseline. There were 113 patients in both PL and LR groups. The PL arm had higher APACHE II scores (16 vs 13, P = .033) and were more likely ventilated (39.3% vs 20.4%, P = .002) compared to LR. Median hospital LOS (12.0 vs 8.0, P < .001) and SICU LOS (6.0 vs 3.0, P < .001) are significantly longer in PL group compared to the LR group. However, there was no difference in in-hospital mortality (5.3% vs 3.5% P = .519) and SICU mortality (9.7% vs 5.3%, P > .208) between PL and LR. Overall, PL use was associated with prolonged hospital and SICU LOS. PL use did not demonstrate mortality benefit. However, patients were more critically ill in PL group based on higher APACHE II scores and higher rates of mechanical ventilation, which could be contributing to these unfavorable outcomes.

Background: Recent epidemiological data has shown a sharp increase in stimulant use among older adults, which is notable as older adults may be especially vulnerable to their cardiovascular effects. Results of recent studies have shown an increase in cardiovascular events among older adults using stimulants; however, little data exists comparing cardiovascular safety of these agents head-to-head. Objective: To determine if the incidence of serious cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction (MI), stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), or arrhythmia, are different in patients taking amphetamine/dextroamphetamine compared with patients taking methylphenidate. Methods: Retrospective chart review of veterans 50 years and older at the Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) who were first prescribed a stimulant between 2015 and 2021. The primary outcome was the difference in composite cardiovascular events between amphetamine/dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Secondary outcomes were the composite cardiovascular endpoints compared individually (MI, stroke/TIA, or arrhythmia). Hazard ratios were calculated based off of a time-to-event analysis displayed using a Kaplan-Meier curve for primary and secondary outcomes. Results: 466 veterans were screened for inclusion, 30 were excluded, and 436 were included. There was no difference found in composite cardiovascular events between the 241 veterans in the amphetamine/dextroamphetamine group and the 195 veterans in the methylphenidate group with 12 (5%) vs 8 (4.1%) events respectively (P = .6635). There was also no difference in time-to-event analysis (P = .4966). Conclusion: In elderly veterans, there was no difference found in incidence of major cardiovascular events with the use of amphetamine/dextroamphetamine compared with methylphenidate.

Background: Four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC) is indicated for vitamin K antagonist (VKA) reversal but is associated with thrombotic events (TE). In 2018, the institution revised 4F-PCC dosing for VKA reversal from INR and weight-based dosing to a fixed-dose of 1500 units. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare hemostatic efficacy and TE rate of fixed-dose 4PCC to weight-based dosing. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center, quasi-experimental study of adult patients who received 4F-PCC for VKA reversal from January 2014 through May 2016 (INR and weight-based dosing) or April through October 2018 (fixed-dosing). The primary endpoint was hemostatic efficacy, defined by achieving an INR of ≤1.4, or an INR of ≤1.7 with evidence of hemostasis. The key secondary endpoint was TE within 14 days of 4F-PCC administration. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-squared for nominal data and Mann-Whitney U for ordinal and continuous data. Results: The study included 163 patients who received weight-based dosing and 45 who received fixed-dose 4F-PCC. Hemostatic efficacy was 76.9% of patients in the weight-based group and 77.4% of patients in the fixed-dose group (P = .229). TE occurred in 13.5% of the weight-based vs 6.7% of the fixed-dose group (P = .181). Conclusion: This study found no difference in hemostatic efficacy with fixed-dose 4F-PCC for VKA reversal compared to INR and weight-based dosing. The occurrence of TE was reduced by 50% with the 4F-PCC fixed-dose strategy; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Further randomized studies are needed to confirm these results.

There has been concern over whether to use sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors in patients that use catheters due to the concern for increased urinary tract infections (UTIs). The concern is that patients who use catheters are already at an increased risk for UTIs and that SGLT-2-inhibitors may promote bacterial growth due their mechanism of action, ie. increasing glycosuria. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether using empagliflozin, a SGLT-2-inhibitor, in patients who also use catheters, increases their risks for UTIs. A retrospective chart review of electronic health records at a single-center was completed of all Veterans who received an empagliflozin prescription and were also using catheters between October 1, 2015 and September 30, 2022. Veterans were included if they were using catheters for at least 2 months prior to starting empagliflozin and were on both therapies for at least 2 months concurrently. The primary outcome for this study is the number of UTIs occurring prior to and after beginning empagliflozin treatment. Additional secondary outcomes included change in A1c, change in body mass index (BMI), UTI-hospitalizations, and fungal infections. Of the 91 patients with concurrent empagliflozin and catheter-use, only 25 Veterans were included. There was an occurrence of .09 UTIs/month pre-empagliflozin compared to .07 post-empagliflozin (P = .61). There was an observed trend in Veterans with Type 2 Diabetes having an increased rate of UTIs. There was no statistically significant difference found in UTI rates when comparing catheters alone to concurrent catheter and empagliflozin-use.

Purpose: Prior literature evaluating the importance of timely second-dose antibiotics in patients with sepsis has led to better outcomes and a possible reduction in mortality, length of mechanical ventilation, and length of time requiring vasopressors. Objective: To evaluate the impact of a newly developed pharmacist-led two-dose cefepime protocol implemented within an emergency department (ED) service. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center, pre-post observational cohort study. Institutional review board approval was obtained. The primary endpoint was a reduction in time between the first and the second doses of antibiotics for patients with sepsis who present to the emergency department. Secondary endpoints included length of vasopressor therapy, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, hospital length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, and mortality. Results: A total of 84 patients were included in the pharmacist-led two-dose hospital protocol and 79 patients were included in the historical control. In the control cohort, the median time between the first and second dose of antibiotics was 12 hours vs 8.5 hours in the tested cohort. The average time requiring vasopressors was 1.20 days for the control cohort vs .46 days for the post-implementation group. Lastly, the median hospital length of stay in days was 8 for the control group vs 7 for the tested cohort. Conclusion: Implementation of a pharmacist-led two-dose cefepime protocol was associated with a numerically lower duration between second-dose antibiotics, days requiring vasopressors, and a slight reduction in hospital length of stay.

Purpose: This study evaluated glycemic outcomes for hospitalized patients after reduction in bedtime correctional insulin dosing. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center analysis of a protocol change that reduced bedtime correctional insulin scale. Comparable cohorts pre- and post-protocol change were created which included patients who were ordered correctional insulin with at least 1 blood glucose (BG) reading. The primary outcome was number of nocturnal hypoglycemia readings. Secondary outcomes included, but were not limited to, mean fasting BG, BG within various ranges, and length of stay. Results: 3 percent of patients in the post-protocol change group (N = 100) experienced nocturnal hypoglycemia compared to 6% of patients in the pre-change group (N = 100) (P = .507). There were no significant differences in BG ranges <110 mg/dL, <140 mg/dL, 140 to 180 mg/dL, and >180 mg/dL. However, 19% of patients in the post-protocol change group had BG of >250 mg/dL as compared to 9% in the pre-change group (P = .033). Mean fasting BG was higher in the post-protocol change group compared to the pre-change group (156.5 mg/dL vs 139.3 mg/dL [P = .002]), as was hospital length of stay (5.17 vs 4.6 days, [P = .024]). Conclusions: A decreased bedtime correctional insulin scale had mixed results with more patients achieving goal fasting BG but also more patients experiencing BG > 250 mg/dL and longer length of stay. Larger prospective studies are required to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this type of intervention and its long-term impact.