Pub Date : 2022-07-01Epub Date: 2022-08-05DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2685
Munther S Alnajjar, Duaa Salem Jawhar, Salah Aburuz, Dima A Saeed, Ameerah Hasan Ibrahim
Objectives: The present study was carried out to identify and report the pattern of antibiotics prescribing to determine the adherence to the international empirical and therapeutic guidelines of antibiotic use.
Methods: A point prevalence survey took place at a selected date of January 26, 2020, in which data collection was performed to all the patients present in the hospital who used at least one systemic antibiotic agent as an inpatient from 00:00 am until midnight of that day. This was performed using European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption (ESAC - audit tool). The participated hospital in this point prevalence study represents a major government hospital in the UAE. Descriptive statistics were used and results were expressed using standard statistical methods.
Results: Out of the 125 hospitalized patients, a total of 41 (32.8%) patients were included in the survey and treated with different trends of antibiotics on the date point prevalence survey. The total number prescribed antibiotics was 54 with a higher percentage of treatment indication (70.4%), compared to prophylaxis indication (29.6%). The combinations of penicillin's win in being the most commonly used agents by a percent of 31.5%, including the use of Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid by 22.2% and Piperacillin-tazobactam with 9.3%. The compliance with local/international guidelines accounts for 78.0% of the treated & prophylaxis patients.
Conclusions: Considerable results have been obtained which can assure the quality improvement of the antibiotic use in the studied hospital.
{"title":"Point prevalence survey of antibiotic utilization in secondary care hospital in the United Arab Emirates.","authors":"Munther S Alnajjar, Duaa Salem Jawhar, Salah Aburuz, Dima A Saeed, Ameerah Hasan Ibrahim","doi":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2685","DOIUrl":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2685","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The present study was carried out to identify and report the pattern of antibiotics prescribing to determine the adherence to the international empirical and therapeutic guidelines of antibiotic use.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A point prevalence survey took place at a selected date of January 26, 2020, in which data collection was performed to all the patients present in the hospital who used at least one systemic antibiotic agent as an inpatient from 00:00 am until midnight of that day. This was performed using European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption (ESAC - audit tool). The participated hospital in this point prevalence study represents a major government hospital in the UAE. Descriptive statistics were used and results were expressed using standard statistical methods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of the 125 hospitalized patients, a total of 41 (32.8%) patients were included in the survey and treated with different trends of antibiotics on the date point prevalence survey. The total number prescribed antibiotics was 54 with a higher percentage of treatment indication (70.4%), compared to prophylaxis indication (29.6%). The combinations of penicillin's win in being the most commonly used agents by a percent of 31.5%, including the use of Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid by 22.2% and Piperacillin-tazobactam with 9.3%. The compliance with local/international guidelines accounts for 78.0% of the treated & prophylaxis patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Considerable results have been obtained which can assure the quality improvement of the antibiotic use in the studied hospital.</p>","PeriodicalId":51762,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy Practice-Granada","volume":"20 3","pages":"2685"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/f6/32/pharmpract-20-2685.PMC9851827.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10651165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-07-01Epub Date: 2022-09-09DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2721
Mustafa Al-Shajlawi, Ahmad R Alsayed, Husam Abazid, Dima Awajan, Amniyah Al-Imam, Iman Basheti
Objective: The aim of this study was to explore association of initial laboratory parameters of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, with the severity and death incident.
Methods: In this retrospective study, patients were classified based on mortality outcome (survivor and non-survivor) and disease severity (non-severe, severe, and critical). The initial laboratory data (within the first two days of hospital admission) were compared between these categories.
Results: Of 362 COVID-19 patients hospitalized between January-2021 and May-2021, 39.0% were non-severe, 32.2% severe, and 28.7% critical. 77.3% were lived and 22.7% died in hospital. Non-survivors were significantly older than survivors. There was a statistically significant association between exceeding the cut-points of laboratory parameters and the severity of the disease or even death. These laboratory parameters included D-dimer, C-reactive protein, prothrombin time, ferritin, white blood cells, neutrophil count, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, lymphocyte count, and albumin. Also, exceeding the cut-points of these parameters showed high odds of death. The highest odds ratio was reported for albumin <3.5 g/dL (OR=14.318 [4.784-42.851], p<0.001).
Conclusion: The cut-points of the laboratory parameters could effectively be used as predictors to assess the severity and risk of death to improve the management of COVID-19 patients.
{"title":"Using laboratory parameters as predictors for the severity and mortality of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients.","authors":"Mustafa Al-Shajlawi, Ahmad R Alsayed, Husam Abazid, Dima Awajan, Amniyah Al-Imam, Iman Basheti","doi":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2721","DOIUrl":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2721","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to explore association of initial laboratory parameters of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, with the severity and death incident.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this retrospective study, patients were classified based on mortality outcome (survivor and non-survivor) and disease severity (non-severe, severe, and critical). The initial laboratory data (within the first two days of hospital admission) were compared between these categories.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 362 COVID-19 patients hospitalized between January-2021 and May-2021, 39.0% were non-severe, 32.2% severe, and 28.7% critical. 77.3% were lived and 22.7% died in hospital. Non-survivors were significantly older than survivors. There was a statistically significant association between exceeding the cut-points of laboratory parameters and the severity of the disease or even death. These laboratory parameters included D-dimer, C-reactive protein, prothrombin time, ferritin, white blood cells, neutrophil count, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, lymphocyte count, and albumin. Also, exceeding the cut-points of these parameters showed high odds of death. The highest odds ratio was reported for albumin <3.5 g/dL (OR=14.318 [4.784-42.851], p<0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The cut-points of the laboratory parameters could effectively be used as predictors to assess the severity and risk of death to improve the management of COVID-19 patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":51762,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy Practice-Granada","volume":"20 3","pages":"2721"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/b6/00/pharmpract-20-2721.PMC9851820.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10700122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-07-01Epub Date: 2022-08-05DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2697
Su Myat Thin, Daylia Thet, Jia Yu Li, Tulakarn Nakpun, Sujin Nitadpakorn, Chamipa Phanudulkitti, Bernard A Sorofman, Suntaree Watcharadamrongkun, Tanattha Kittisopee
Background: The people who use complementary medicines (CMs) believe that these medicines are safe and harmless. They could easily access CMs like herbal or traditional medicines in community pharmacies. Therefore, community pharmacists are important professionals in advising the safe choices of CMs and providing evidence-based information for customers to decrease adverse effects of CMs.
Objectives: To systematically review knowledge, attitude, and practices of community pharmacists about CMs, and the factors associated with CM practices of dispensing, recommending and counseling patients, and answering the patients' queries.
Method: An electronic search was performed with four databases: PubMed, Scopus, SpringerLink and ScienceDirect, from 1990 to 19th May 2022. The inclusion criteria were studies 1) about knowledge, attitude, and/or practices of community pharmacists about CMs, 2) written in English, 3) conducted with quantitative methods, and 4) able to retrieve full text.
Results: Twenty-three studies were included in this systematic review. Some studies showed that less than half of the pharmacists asked or counselled about CMs to their patients and answered the patients' queries about CMs. Only 20% of the pharmacists did report CM side-effects. Training or education about CMs was a common factor associated with the CM practice of dispensing, recommending, counseling, and answering the patients' queries about CMs. CMs recommended most by community pharmacists were vitamins & minerals, food or dietary supplements, fish oil and probiotics. The most common dispensed CMs were vitamins & minerals, herbs, food or dietary supplements, fish oil and essential oils. Lacks of reliable information sources and scientific evidence were common barriers for the CM practices. Being less expensive than conventional medicines motivated the pharmacists to recommend and discuss about CMs. The community pharmacists that participated in included studies suggested strengthening CM trainings and highlight the pharmacist role in CM therapy.
Conclusion: A high percentage of community pharmacists did dispense CMs to their patients, while a low percentage of the pharmacists did report CM side effects. Pharmacists were most comfortable recommending and responding the patients' CM queries. Training or education about CMs associated with CM dispensing, recommending, discussing, and answering the patients' queries about CMs was recommended.
{"title":"A systematic review of community pharmacist practices in complementary medicine.","authors":"Su Myat Thin, Daylia Thet, Jia Yu Li, Tulakarn Nakpun, Sujin Nitadpakorn, Chamipa Phanudulkitti, Bernard A Sorofman, Suntaree Watcharadamrongkun, Tanattha Kittisopee","doi":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2697","DOIUrl":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2697","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The people who use complementary medicines (CMs) believe that these medicines are safe and harmless. They could easily access CMs like herbal or traditional medicines in community pharmacies. Therefore, community pharmacists are important professionals in advising the safe choices of CMs and providing evidence-based information for customers to decrease adverse effects of CMs.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To systematically review knowledge, attitude, and practices of community pharmacists about CMs, and the factors associated with CM practices of dispensing, recommending and counseling patients, and answering the patients' queries.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>An electronic search was performed with four databases: PubMed, Scopus, SpringerLink and ScienceDirect, from 1990 to 19th May 2022. The inclusion criteria were studies 1) about knowledge, attitude, and/or practices of community pharmacists about CMs, 2) written in English, 3) conducted with quantitative methods, and 4) able to retrieve full text.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-three studies were included in this systematic review. Some studies showed that less than half of the pharmacists asked or counselled about CMs to their patients and answered the patients' queries about CMs. Only 20% of the pharmacists did report CM side-effects. Training or education about CMs was a common factor associated with the CM practice of dispensing, recommending, counseling, and answering the patients' queries about CMs. CMs recommended most by community pharmacists were vitamins & minerals, food or dietary supplements, fish oil and probiotics. The most common dispensed CMs were vitamins & minerals, herbs, food or dietary supplements, fish oil and essential oils. Lacks of reliable information sources and scientific evidence were common barriers for the CM practices. Being less expensive than conventional medicines motivated the pharmacists to recommend and discuss about CMs. The community pharmacists that participated in included studies suggested strengthening CM trainings and highlight the pharmacist role in CM therapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A high percentage of community pharmacists did dispense CMs to their patients, while a low percentage of the pharmacists did report CM side effects. Pharmacists were most comfortable recommending and responding the patients' CM queries. Training or education about CMs associated with CM dispensing, recommending, discussing, and answering the patients' queries about CMs was recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":51762,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy Practice-Granada","volume":"20 3","pages":"2697"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/b1/2b/pharmpract-20-2697.PMC9851825.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10650711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-07-01Epub Date: 2022-09-01DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2712
Ensaf Y Almomani, Wassan Jarrar, Amani Alhadid, Lama Hamadneh, Ahmad Qablan, Huda Y Almomani
Background: The recurring nature of kidney stones (KS) makes it difficult to control and treat. Patients' education plays a part in reducing disease recurrence. Pharmacists participate in the healthcare services through educating patients with kidney stones about KS preventive measures and medications that greatly reduce the disease frequency and the treatment cost. Insufficient pharmacists' knowledge may affect the services' quality and result in misuse of KS medications.
Objectives: To evaluate the pharmacists' level of knowledge to provide adequate information about KS preventive measures, medications, and treatments for patients with kidney stones in Jordan.
Methods: An online descriptive survey was distributed to pharmacists to assess their knowledge about KS causes, prevention, and treatment. The results were analyzed using the SPSS software.
Results: There were 393 pharmacists participated in this study. Pharmacists demonstrated an overall intermediate level of knowledge about KS. They showed an excellent level of knowledge regarding KS types and etiology, an intermediate level of knowledge about KS preventive measures and treatment, and poor knowledge about home remedies and drugs that promote KS formation.
Conclusion: Pharmacists knowledge about KS management through diet and medications need to be improved. This could be through focusing on pharmacists' training for the effective implementation of knowledge in the clinical practice. Adopting guidelines by pharmacists may reduce the risk of KS recurrence and provide pharmacist-led patient education about KS management in hospitals and community pharmacies.
{"title":"Shedding light on pharmacists' knowledge of kidney stones' etiology and treatment.","authors":"Ensaf Y Almomani, Wassan Jarrar, Amani Alhadid, Lama Hamadneh, Ahmad Qablan, Huda Y Almomani","doi":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2712","DOIUrl":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2712","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The recurring nature of kidney stones (KS) makes it difficult to control and treat. Patients' education plays a part in reducing disease recurrence. Pharmacists participate in the healthcare services through educating patients with kidney stones about KS preventive measures and medications that greatly reduce the disease frequency and the treatment cost. Insufficient pharmacists' knowledge may affect the services' quality and result in misuse of KS medications.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To evaluate the pharmacists' level of knowledge to provide adequate information about KS preventive measures, medications, and treatments for patients with kidney stones in Jordan.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An online descriptive survey was distributed to pharmacists to assess their knowledge about KS causes, prevention, and treatment. The results were analyzed using the SPSS software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 393 pharmacists participated in this study. Pharmacists demonstrated an overall intermediate level of knowledge about KS. They showed an excellent level of knowledge regarding KS types and etiology, an intermediate level of knowledge about KS preventive measures and treatment, and poor knowledge about home remedies and drugs that promote KS formation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Pharmacists knowledge about KS management through diet and medications need to be improved. This could be through focusing on pharmacists' training for the effective implementation of knowledge in the clinical practice. Adopting guidelines by pharmacists may reduce the risk of KS recurrence and provide pharmacist-led patient education about KS management in hospitals and community pharmacies.</p>","PeriodicalId":51762,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy Practice-Granada","volume":"20 3","pages":"2712"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/d8/4d/pharmpract-20-2712.PMC9851828.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10650712","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-07-01Epub Date: 2022-07-12DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2689
Luma M Al-Obaidy, Heba M Attash, Harith Kh Al-Qazaz
Background: Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is a health concern that produced considerable psychological and physical health challenges to Health care providers (HCPs) internationally.
Aims: This study aims to determine the level of depression, anxiety, and stress after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine among HCPs in Iraq.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study design was used in this study. The participants involved were 700 Iraqi HCPs who received one or two doses from COVID-19 vaccines. The questionnaire was designed and brought to them electronically using Google form and distributed by social media. Then mental health status was measured using a specific depression, anxiety and stress scale named DASS-21. Each domain of the DASS scale was calculated for each subject and DASS-21 scores were compared between different demographic groups.
Results: Females represented a large percentage of participants (80%). The majority of participants had a normal level of DASS-21 after receiving the vaccine. Higher scores were obtained among graduated young age groups also among individuals who have side effects associated with the vaccine.
Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that assesses mental health after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in the middle east. The study concluded that HCPs have low DASS-21 scores and this gives us promising results for the use of the COVID-19 vaccine in future.
{"title":"Depression, anxiety and stress after COVID-19 vaccination: A retrospective cross-sectional study among health care providers.","authors":"Luma M Al-Obaidy, Heba M Attash, Harith Kh Al-Qazaz","doi":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2689","DOIUrl":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2689","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is a health concern that produced considerable psychological and physical health challenges to Health care providers (HCPs) internationally.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>This study aims to determine the level of depression, anxiety, and stress after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine among HCPs in Iraq.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cross-sectional study design was used in this study. The participants involved were 700 Iraqi HCPs who received one or two doses from COVID-19 vaccines. The questionnaire was designed and brought to them electronically using Google form and distributed by social media. Then mental health status was measured using a specific depression, anxiety and stress scale named DASS-21. Each domain of the DASS scale was calculated for each subject and DASS-21 scores were compared between different demographic groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Females represented a large percentage of participants (80%). The majority of participants had a normal level of DASS-21 after receiving the vaccine. Higher scores were obtained among graduated young age groups also among individuals who have side effects associated with the vaccine.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that assesses mental health after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in the middle east. The study concluded that HCPs have low DASS-21 scores and this gives us promising results for the use of the COVID-19 vaccine in future.</p>","PeriodicalId":51762,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy Practice-Granada","volume":"20 3","pages":"2689"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/01/8f/pharmpract-20-2689.PMC9851821.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10651167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-07-01Epub Date: 2022-09-14DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2708
Juhaina Salim Al-Maqbali, Aqila Taqi, Buthaina Al-Hamadani, Sara Gamal, Esra Al-Lawati, Najwa Al Himali, Fatima Bahram, Suad Al-Jabri, Nashwa Al-Sharji, Saud Homood, Bushra Al Siyabi, Ekram Al Siyabi, Samyia Al-Ajmi, Kifah Al-Balushi, Ibrahim Al-Zakwani
Objectives: Disagreement between health care providers on medication-related interventions can affect clinical outcomes. We aimed to study the outcomes and significance of clinical pharmacists' interventions and evaluate the levels of agreement between different clinical pharmacists on the impact of pharmaceutical interventions.
Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Oman. The study included all documented interventions by clinical pharmacists for all categories of admitted patients that met the inclusion criteria.
Results: The originator clinical pharmacists interjected to improve the efficacy of treatment in (58%, n=1740) of the interventions, followed by toxicity reduction (24%). The level of agreement in the clinical significance resulted in substantial Scotts' kappa (k) between the originator and the first reviewer, the first and second reviewers, and the second reviewer and supervisor (86%; k=0.77; P<.001), (77%; k=0.63; P<.001), (84%; k=0.77; P<.001), respectively. In terms of grading of clinical significance, the originator clinical pharmacists recorded moderate significance in 50% of the interventions, followed by major (30%), not applicable (8.4%), and minor (7.3%). The level of agreement in the clinical significance resulted in substantial Scotts' k between the originator and the first reviewer, and between the second reviewer and supervisor (82%; k=0.72; P<.001), (84%; k=0.77; P<.001), respectively. The level of agreement between the first and second reviewer was fair (55%; k=0.28; p<0.001).
Conclusion: Clinical pharmacists' interventions have a crucial impact on patient safety, improving efficacy and reducing toxicities. Overall, there was a substantial agreement among clinical pharmacists on the clinical significance and grading of the interventions..
{"title":"Levels of agreement among clinical pharmacists on the impact of pharmaceutical interventions in Oman: A retrospective analysis.","authors":"Juhaina Salim Al-Maqbali, Aqila Taqi, Buthaina Al-Hamadani, Sara Gamal, Esra Al-Lawati, Najwa Al Himali, Fatima Bahram, Suad Al-Jabri, Nashwa Al-Sharji, Saud Homood, Bushra Al Siyabi, Ekram Al Siyabi, Samyia Al-Ajmi, Kifah Al-Balushi, Ibrahim Al-Zakwani","doi":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2708","DOIUrl":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2708","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Disagreement between health care providers on medication-related interventions can affect clinical outcomes. We aimed to study the outcomes and significance of clinical pharmacists' interventions and evaluate the levels of agreement between different clinical pharmacists on the impact of pharmaceutical interventions.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Oman. The study included all documented interventions by clinical pharmacists for all categories of admitted patients that met the inclusion criteria.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The originator clinical pharmacists interjected to improve the efficacy of treatment in (58%, n=1740) of the interventions, followed by toxicity reduction (24%). The level of agreement in the clinical significance resulted in substantial Scotts' kappa (k) between the originator and the first reviewer, the first and second reviewers, and the second reviewer and supervisor (86%; k=0.77; P<.001), (77%; k=0.63; P<.001), (84%; k=0.77; P<.001), respectively. In terms of grading of clinical significance, the originator clinical pharmacists recorded moderate significance in 50% of the interventions, followed by major (30%), not applicable (8.4%), and minor (7.3%). The level of agreement in the clinical significance resulted in substantial Scotts' k between the originator and the first reviewer, and between the second reviewer and supervisor (82%; k=0.72; P<.001), (84%; k=0.77; P<.001), respectively. The level of agreement between the first and second reviewer was fair (55%; k=0.28; p<0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Clinical pharmacists' interventions have a crucial impact on patient safety, improving efficacy and reducing toxicities. Overall, there was a substantial agreement among clinical pharmacists on the clinical significance and grading of the interventions..</p>","PeriodicalId":51762,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy Practice-Granada","volume":"20 3","pages":"2708"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/cd/01/pharmpract-20-2708.PMC9851816.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10651168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-07-01Epub Date: 2022-08-05DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2700
Afaf El-Malah, Taghreed A Ibrahim, Hala Attia, Basma G Eid, Amina M Bagher, Lenah S Binmahfouz, Nadia M Sokkar
<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The purpose of this research is to assess the commitment of participants in Saudi Arabia and Egypt towards healthy daily habits, preventive measures, healthy food habits, and beliefs about natural products as an immunostimulants during COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in Saudi Arabia (mainly Riyadh and Jeddah) and Egypt (mainly Cairo). The questionnaire instrument was created based on an extensive literature review on the COVID-19 pandemic, including its spreading and transmission methods, preventive measures, healthy lifestyle, and diets that increase human immunity against viral infections and the use of natural products and drinks. The questionnaire was created by Microsoft 365® office forms, participants were invited through emails and other social media. The questionnaire includes a demographic section (gender, nationality, residency country, city, age, marital status, educational level, employment status, chronic disease history, under anxiety or stress, have a temper or irritable person, were infected/currently infected and in contact to COVID-19 patient) and (23) questions arranged under five domains; Domain I daily habits (4), Domain II keeping preventive measures (4), Domain III healthy eating habits (9), Domain IV for participants currently or previously infected, or in contact with a patient (4) Domain V for assessment of participants' beliefs towards the use of natural products to elevate immunity during COVID-19 pandemic (2), beside 4 choice questions (stimulant drinks, natural drinks, natural products, and zinc-rich food). SPSS® was used to analyze the results using Student' t-test, ANOVA, and Tukey's HSD tests.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>510 individuals with various demographic characteristics participated in the study. This study revealed that the participants belief in healthy foods, natural drinks (mainly ginger, lemon, and cinnamon), natural products (mainly honey, olive oil, and black seed), healthy habits, and preventive measures as sanitizers, social distance, and exercise. Only 13% of all participants were infected with COVID-19, although 31% of them were in contact with COVID -19 patients, about 93% were under stress, and 22% were with chronic diseases. Participants who are married, not in contact with patients and not previously infected by COVID-19 are more adhered to preventive measures while those previously or currently infected are more committed to healthy lifestyle and diet habits. Qualification level seems to make no significant difference in any domain. 78.6% of the participants beliefs in the benefits of utilizing natural products in preventing infection with corona virus or reducing the period of treatment in case of infection. About 95.7% of the infected persons had no need of hospitalization and about 50% are cured within two weeks of infection. The questionnaire revealed that Nescafe and black tea w
{"title":"Assessment of commitment to healthy daily habits and diets, preventive measures, and beliefs about natural products utilization during COVID-19 pandemic in certain population in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.","authors":"Afaf El-Malah, Taghreed A Ibrahim, Hala Attia, Basma G Eid, Amina M Bagher, Lenah S Binmahfouz, Nadia M Sokkar","doi":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2700","DOIUrl":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2700","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The purpose of this research is to assess the commitment of participants in Saudi Arabia and Egypt towards healthy daily habits, preventive measures, healthy food habits, and beliefs about natural products as an immunostimulants during COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in Saudi Arabia (mainly Riyadh and Jeddah) and Egypt (mainly Cairo). The questionnaire instrument was created based on an extensive literature review on the COVID-19 pandemic, including its spreading and transmission methods, preventive measures, healthy lifestyle, and diets that increase human immunity against viral infections and the use of natural products and drinks. The questionnaire was created by Microsoft 365® office forms, participants were invited through emails and other social media. The questionnaire includes a demographic section (gender, nationality, residency country, city, age, marital status, educational level, employment status, chronic disease history, under anxiety or stress, have a temper or irritable person, were infected/currently infected and in contact to COVID-19 patient) and (23) questions arranged under five domains; Domain I daily habits (4), Domain II keeping preventive measures (4), Domain III healthy eating habits (9), Domain IV for participants currently or previously infected, or in contact with a patient (4) Domain V for assessment of participants' beliefs towards the use of natural products to elevate immunity during COVID-19 pandemic (2), beside 4 choice questions (stimulant drinks, natural drinks, natural products, and zinc-rich food). SPSS® was used to analyze the results using Student' t-test, ANOVA, and Tukey's HSD tests.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>510 individuals with various demographic characteristics participated in the study. This study revealed that the participants belief in healthy foods, natural drinks (mainly ginger, lemon, and cinnamon), natural products (mainly honey, olive oil, and black seed), healthy habits, and preventive measures as sanitizers, social distance, and exercise. Only 13% of all participants were infected with COVID-19, although 31% of them were in contact with COVID -19 patients, about 93% were under stress, and 22% were with chronic diseases. Participants who are married, not in contact with patients and not previously infected by COVID-19 are more adhered to preventive measures while those previously or currently infected are more committed to healthy lifestyle and diet habits. Qualification level seems to make no significant difference in any domain. 78.6% of the participants beliefs in the benefits of utilizing natural products in preventing infection with corona virus or reducing the period of treatment in case of infection. About 95.7% of the infected persons had no need of hospitalization and about 50% are cured within two weeks of infection. The questionnaire revealed that Nescafe and black tea w","PeriodicalId":51762,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy Practice-Granada","volume":"20 3","pages":"2700"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/4d/8b/pharmpract-20-2700.PMC9851831.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10645279","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-07-01Epub Date: 2022-09-01DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2713
Asim Ahmed Elnour, Nadia Sarfaraz Raja, Fatemeh Abdi, Fariha Mostafiz, Razan Isam Elmubarak, Alaa Mohsen Khalil, Khawla Abou Hait, Mariam Mohamed Alqahtani, Nour Dabbagh, Zainab Abdulnasser, Danah Albek, Abdelfattah Amer, Nosayba Othman Al Damook, Aya Shayeb, Sara Alblooshi, Mohammed Samir, Abdallah Abou Hajal, Nora Al Barakani, Rahf Balbahaith, Hamda Al Mazrouie, Rahaf Ahmed Ali
Background: Shortening the process of prescribing via permitting the pharmacist to select the most appropriate pharmaceuticals for each particular patient may provide great opportunities for pharmacists to develop suitable pharmaceutical care plan, monitor and follow up prescribed medications, communicate and consult physicians for more confirmations.
Objective: The objective of the current protocol for the systematic review and meta-analysis of pharmacists prescribing interventions was to explore, investigate the evidence, assess and compare PICO in patients with medical conditions (population), receiving pharmacist's prescribing care services (interventions) versus non-pharmacist's prescribing (comparators), and identify how it will impact the clinical, humanistic, and economic patient's outcomes (outcomes).
Methods: The necessary elements of PRISMA will be strictly followed to report the systematic review. The meta-analysis will be reported in line with the Cochrane guidelines for synthesis of trials and all forms will be based on quality measures as per the validated Cochrane templates. We will present the results of the systematic review and the meta-analysis based on PICO comparison between the included trials.
Results: We have identified four models of pharmacist prescribing interventions (independent, dependent [collaborative], supplementary, and emergency prescribing). The results will contain a systematic critical evaluation of the included trials in terms of the sample number of the population (characteristics), the type of interventions and the comparators, and the main outcome measures.
Conclusion: This protocol will report the evidence and explore the magnitude of impact of pharmacist prescribing interventions, on clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes. .
{"title":"Protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, cost-benefit analysis and interrupted time-series interventions on pharmacist's prescribing.","authors":"Asim Ahmed Elnour, Nadia Sarfaraz Raja, Fatemeh Abdi, Fariha Mostafiz, Razan Isam Elmubarak, Alaa Mohsen Khalil, Khawla Abou Hait, Mariam Mohamed Alqahtani, Nour Dabbagh, Zainab Abdulnasser, Danah Albek, Abdelfattah Amer, Nosayba Othman Al Damook, Aya Shayeb, Sara Alblooshi, Mohammed Samir, Abdallah Abou Hajal, Nora Al Barakani, Rahf Balbahaith, Hamda Al Mazrouie, Rahaf Ahmed Ali","doi":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2713","DOIUrl":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2713","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Shortening the process of prescribing via permitting the pharmacist to select the most appropriate pharmaceuticals for each particular patient may provide great opportunities for pharmacists to develop suitable pharmaceutical care plan, monitor and follow up prescribed medications, communicate and consult physicians for more confirmations.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The objective of the current protocol for the systematic review and meta-analysis of pharmacists prescribing interventions was to explore, investigate the evidence, assess and compare PICO in patients with medical conditions (population), receiving pharmacist's prescribing care services (interventions) versus non-pharmacist's prescribing (comparators), and identify how it will impact the clinical, humanistic, and economic patient's outcomes (outcomes).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The necessary elements of PRISMA will be strictly followed to report the systematic review. The meta-analysis will be reported in line with the Cochrane guidelines for synthesis of trials and all forms will be based on quality measures as per the validated Cochrane templates. We will present the results of the systematic review and the meta-analysis based on PICO comparison between the included trials.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We have identified four models of pharmacist prescribing interventions (independent, dependent [collaborative], supplementary, and emergency prescribing). The results will contain a systematic critical evaluation of the included trials in terms of the sample number of the population (characteristics), the type of interventions and the comparators, and the main outcome measures.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This protocol will report the evidence and explore the magnitude of impact of pharmacist prescribing interventions, on clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes. .</p>","PeriodicalId":51762,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy Practice-Granada","volume":"20 3","pages":"2713"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/0d/45/pharmpract-20-2713.PMC9851817.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10651163","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-07-01Epub Date: 2022-09-01DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2632
Ceballos Mauricio, Salazar-Ospina Andrea, Sabater-Hernández Daniel, Amariles Pedro
Background: Drugs with fiscalized substances without a correct prescription may lead to undesirable side effects. Pharmacy staff needs to improve their competencies (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) to contribute to providing ambulatory pharmacy services and minimizing medication errors. Continuing education programs (CEP) could favor access to relevant and quality information on health promotion, disease prevention, and the rational use of drugs. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a continuing education program to improve pharmacy staff competencies to enhance the use of drugs with fiscalized substances. Methods: A multicenter, prospective, parallel-group, cluster-randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in drugstores and pharmacies in Colombia (ambulatory retail establishments). The intervention group (IG) received a CEP: a web-based social networking site, a virtual course, a dispensing information system, and face-to-face training. The control group (CG) received general written material on the correct use of drugs. We measured pharmacy staff’s skills, attitudes, and knowledge self-reported scores, and the simulated patient technique was used to assess the participant skills and attitudes in real practice. We used a questionnaire designed for this study, which was evaluated by a group of experts and piloted and showed a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.96. Results: Three hundred five drugstores and pharmacies were enrolled in two groups: IG (n = 153) and CG (n = 152). Out of the 750 potential participants, 88% (n=659) agreed to participate. The pharmacy staff’s skills, attitudes, and knowledge self-reported scores post-intervention were higher than baseline in both groups; however, the IG had statistically significantly higher scores than the CG. Post-intervention, the self-efficacy skills and attitudes in the IG improved by 88% (22 of 25) and in six of the seven assessed knowledge components (p<0.001). However, the dispensing criteria evaluated with simulated patient methodology showed no statistically significant differences between groups in the pharmacy staff’s skills and attitudes in real practice. Conclusions: Providing a continuing education program using different educational strategies improved the pharmacy staff’s competencies (assessed knowledge and self-reported skills and attitudes) to enhance the use of drugs with fiscalized substances. However, there were no improvements in skills and attitudes in real practice. These findings could show that pharmacy staff needs additional and continuous training/sustainability.
{"title":"Effectiveness of a continuing education program of drugs with fiscalized substance to improve pharmacy staff competencies: A multicenter, cluster-randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Ceballos Mauricio, Salazar-Ospina Andrea, Sabater-Hernández Daniel, Amariles Pedro","doi":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2632","DOIUrl":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2632","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Drugs with fiscalized substances without a correct prescription may lead to undesirable side effects. Pharmacy staff needs to improve their competencies (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) to contribute to providing ambulatory pharmacy services and minimizing medication errors. Continuing education programs (CEP) could favor access to relevant and quality information on health promotion, disease prevention, and the rational use of drugs. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a continuing education program to improve pharmacy staff competencies to enhance the use of drugs with fiscalized substances. Methods: A multicenter, prospective, parallel-group, cluster-randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in drugstores and pharmacies in Colombia (ambulatory retail establishments). The intervention group (IG) received a CEP: a web-based social networking site, a virtual course, a dispensing information system, and face-to-face training. The control group (CG) received general written material on the correct use of drugs. We measured pharmacy staff’s skills, attitudes, and knowledge self-reported scores, and the simulated patient technique was used to assess the participant skills and attitudes in real practice. We used a questionnaire designed for this study, which was evaluated by a group of experts and piloted and showed a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.96. Results: Three hundred five drugstores and pharmacies were enrolled in two groups: IG (n = 153) and CG (n = 152). Out of the 750 potential participants, 88% (n=659) agreed to participate. The pharmacy staff’s skills, attitudes, and knowledge self-reported scores post-intervention were higher than baseline in both groups; however, the IG had statistically significantly higher scores than the CG. Post-intervention, the self-efficacy skills and attitudes in the IG improved by 88% (22 of 25) and in six of the seven assessed knowledge components (p<0.001). However, the dispensing criteria evaluated with simulated patient methodology showed no statistically significant differences between groups in the pharmacy staff’s skills and attitudes in real practice. Conclusions: Providing a continuing education program using different educational strategies improved the pharmacy staff’s competencies (assessed knowledge and self-reported skills and attitudes) to enhance the use of drugs with fiscalized substances. However, there were no improvements in skills and attitudes in real practice. These findings could show that pharmacy staff needs additional and continuous training/sustainability.","PeriodicalId":51762,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy Practice-Granada","volume":"20 3","pages":"2632"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/40/7c/pharmpract-20-2632.PMC9851815.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10651164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-07-01Epub Date: 2022-09-01DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2709
Dalal Salem Al-Dossari, Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Zaagi, Reem Faisal Bamogaddam, Rashid Hamoud Alnajrani, Nouf Rashid Alnajrani, Hamdan Najib Alajami, Raghad Abdullah AlOtaibi, Khulood Salim AlShammary, Anfal Jamal AlOtaibi, Anum Yousaf, Sheraz Ali
Objectives: This study investigates the hospital pharmacists' awareness of important facts about the COVID-19 disease and their source of information, as well as their perception.
Methods: This cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted from November 2020 to March 2021 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The questionnaire was developed via electronic platform and invitations were sent to pharmacists working in private and government hospitals. A multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with awareness of COVID-19.
Results: A total of 272 pharmacists submitted their responses via weblink. Many pharmacists (n=228, 84%) followed the latest COVID-19 updates on treatment and updated their information mainly through World Health Organization documents (n=151, 56%). Pharmacists working in secondary and tertiary hospitals were relatively five-times times (AOR = 4.59; 95% CI: 1.69-12.8; p-value = 0.003) and three-times (AOR = 2.93; 95% CI: 1.35-6.72; p-value = 0.008) more aware of COVID-19 than those working in primary hospitals. Pharmacists with prior adequate knowledge regarding epidemics and pandemics were two-times more likely to have a good awareness of COVID-19 compared to those who had received none (AOR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.09-4.35; p-value = 0.030).
Conclusions: Half of the pharmacists believed that they received required education in the past about epidemics and pandemics, and many follow the recent COVID-19 updates on medicines predominantly from the WHO followed by the government awareness campaigns. Many pharmacists believed they have a key role in the management of epidemics/pandemics via their hospital pharmacy. However, this study identified certain awareness gaps regarding COVID-19, highlighting areas of improvement.
{"title":"Hospital pharmacists' awareness and perspective toward the management of COVID-19 pandemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.","authors":"Dalal Salem Al-Dossari, Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Zaagi, Reem Faisal Bamogaddam, Rashid Hamoud Alnajrani, Nouf Rashid Alnajrani, Hamdan Najib Alajami, Raghad Abdullah AlOtaibi, Khulood Salim AlShammary, Anfal Jamal AlOtaibi, Anum Yousaf, Sheraz Ali","doi":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2709","DOIUrl":"10.18549/PharmPract.2022.3.2709","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study investigates the hospital pharmacists' awareness of important facts about the COVID-19 disease and their source of information, as well as their perception.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted from November 2020 to March 2021 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The questionnaire was developed via electronic platform and invitations were sent to pharmacists working in private and government hospitals. A multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with awareness of COVID-19.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 272 pharmacists submitted their responses via weblink. Many pharmacists (n=228, 84%) followed the latest COVID-19 updates on treatment and updated their information mainly through World Health Organization documents (n=151, 56%). Pharmacists working in secondary and tertiary hospitals were relatively five-times times (AOR = 4.59; 95% CI: 1.69-12.8; p-value = 0.003) and three-times (AOR = 2.93; 95% CI: 1.35-6.72; p-value = 0.008) more aware of COVID-19 than those working in primary hospitals. Pharmacists with prior adequate knowledge regarding epidemics and pandemics were two-times more likely to have a good awareness of COVID-19 compared to those who had received none (AOR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.09-4.35; p-value = 0.030).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Half of the pharmacists believed that they received required education in the past about epidemics and pandemics, and many follow the recent COVID-19 updates on medicines predominantly from the WHO followed by the government awareness campaigns. Many pharmacists believed they have a key role in the management of epidemics/pandemics via their hospital pharmacy. However, this study identified certain awareness gaps regarding COVID-19, highlighting areas of improvement.</p>","PeriodicalId":51762,"journal":{"name":"Pharmacy Practice-Granada","volume":"20 3","pages":"2709"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/a4/6e/pharmpract-20-2709.PMC9851818.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10651172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}