A Data-Driven Approach to Evaluate Barcode-Assisted Medication Preparation Alerts at a Large Academic Medical Center.

Background: The purpose of this study was to develop a data-driven process to analyze barcode-assisted medication preparation alert data with a goal of minimizing inaccurate alerts.

Methods: Medication preparation data for the prior three-month period was obtained from an electronic health record system. A dashboard was developed to identify recurrent, high-volume alerts and associated medication records.

Accommodating Pharmacy Students With Physical Disabilities During the Experiential Learning Curricula.

Accommodating pharmacy students with physical disabilities during the experiential learning portion of the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum can present unique challenges for pharmacy schools. The available literature regarding accommodations for pharmacy students in the experiential learning environment is sparse, leaving programs with little guidance. This commentary from the Big Ten Academic Alliance calls on the Academy to create a community of shared resources and best practice examples and offers practical suggestions for accommodating pharmacy students with mobility, vision, and auditory disabilities during introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs) and advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs).

Use of failure modes and effects analysis to mitigate potential risks prior to implementation of an intravenous compounding technology.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify potential failure points in a new chemotherapy preparation technology and to implement changes that prevent or minimize the consequences of those failures before they occur using the failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) approach.

Methods: An FMEA was conducted by a team of medication safety pharmacists, oncology pharmacists and technicians, leadership from informatics, investigational drug, and medication safety services, and representatives from the technology vendor. Failure modes were scored using both Risk Priority Number (RPN) and Risk Hazard Index (RHI) scores.

Implementation of systematic progression of community pharmacy-based prescription verification into the skills-based laboratory curriculum.

Background And Purpose: To describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of systematic progressive community pharmacy-based prescription verification activities across a skills-based laboratory course series.

Educational Activity And Setting: Community pharmacy-based prescription verification activities were implemented into three laboratory courses, Abilities Lab (ABL) 1, 2, and 4. During each activity, students practiced prescription verification using a handout with two components.

Effect of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Grading Scheme on Residency Match Rates.

To examine the effect of advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) grading schemes on residency match rates. A cross-sectional survey was administered to U.S.

Characteristics of schools of pharmacy associated with a successful PGY1 residency match.

Introduction: The literature is limited related to school of pharmacy (SOP) characteristics that may impact a student's residency match success. Given the paucity of information, the aim of our study was to examine the association between multiple school specific characteristics and Post-Graduate Year 1 (PGY1) residency match rate.

Methods: PGY1 residency match data and SOP specific characteristics were obtained.

Implementation and assessment of a naloxone-training program for first-year student pharmacists.

Background And Purpose: Develop a naloxone training activity and assess the activity's impact on increasing student pharmacist knowledge and confidence to counsel about management of opioid overdose and naloxone administration.

Educational Activity And Setting: First-year student pharmacists participated in a naloxone training activity in an abilities laboratory course. The students completed pre-lab questions, received a brief lecture about responding to an opioid overdose, and then practiced counseling and administering intranasal and intramuscular naloxone using training kits.

Composing Effective and Efficient E-mails: A Primer for Pharmacy Practitioners.

This primer describes the purpose and importance of e-mail as a key communication medium in the workplace. It emphasizes clarity as a primary modality to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Finally, the primer reviews elements of grammar, punctuation, and style that contribute to each e-mail's ability to meet language standards, enhance the writer's image, and successfully transmit information.

To-Go medications for decreasing ED return visits.

Objectives: The primary objective was to determine if providing patients with a complete course of antibiotics for select conditions would decrease the rate of return to the emergency department (ED) within 7 days of the initial visit.

Methods: In an urban, academic medical center, we compared patients who received medications at discharge (To-Go medications) with patients who received standard care (a prescription at discharge). Emergency department patients were included if they were older than 18 years; had a discharge diagnosis International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code for urinary tract infection, pyelonephritis, cellulitis, or dental infection; and presented initially between January and December 2010.