Design and Refinement of a Faculty Workload Estimator.

Objective: This paper describes the creation and refinement of a Workload Estimator to be used at Colleges/Schools of pharmacy to calculate faculty workload.

Methods: We describe the initial development of the Workload Estimator for pharmacy practice faculty, including the consensus-building methodology and the implementation process. Additionally, we describe the annual refinement and expansion of use to pharmaceutical and administrative sciences faculty.

Use of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor for Diabetes Management in Patients Following Kidney Transplantation.

To evaluate data sources pertaining to the safety and efficacy of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor use for diabetes management in patients following kidney transplantation. A literature search was conducted through PubMed (1966-January 2023), EMBASE (1973-January 2023), and clinicaltrials.gov databases using the search terms kidney transplantation, diabetes mellitus, and SGLT2 inhibitor or empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and canagliflozin.

Impact of Vitamin K Administration on Elevated International Normalized Ratio in Chronic Liver Disease.

Limited studies assess the efficacy of vitamin K administration in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). However, vitamin K is commonly used to treat elevations in international normalized ratio (INR) in these patients with the intended benefit of reducing bleeding risk. This retrospective, single-center cohort study aimed to evaluate the impact of vitamin K administration on INR in patients with CLD.

Evaluation of a Pharmacist-Driven Protocol for the Treatment of Opioid-Induced Constipation.

Background: Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) treatment guidelines recommend over-the-counter laxatives as first-line therapy, followed by treatment with a peripherally-acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist (PAMORA) in refractory patients.

Objective: To evaluate the ability of a pharmacist-driven OIC protocol to promote increased scheduled laxative use prior to escalation to PAMORA therapy.

Methods: This retrospective, single-center cohort study evaluated patients 2 years pre- and post-protocol implementation.

Corticosteroids in Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Review of Current Literature.

To review the evidence and recommendations for the use of adjunctive corticosteroid therapy in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). A literature search was conducted using PubMed (1993 to November 2020) using the search terms AND . Pertinent randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses assessing the efficacy and safety of adjunctive corticosteroids in patients with pneumonia were evaluated for inclusion.

Implementation of a Discharge Education Program to Improve Transitions of Care for Patients at High Risk of Medication Errors.

Transitions of care (TOC) points are those where patient outcomes can be affected, especially patients at high risk for medication errors. Pharmacist-led postdischarge telephone counseling positively affects patient outcomes, though challenges exist relating to successful patient contact. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a discharge education service bridging the inpatient and outpatient setting to increase successful patient contact points during the TOC process from hospital to home.

An individualized approach to residency preparation for fourth professional year pharmacy students.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of an individualized residency preparation program and faculty mentorship on student preparedness for pursuing residency training and their ability to successfully match with a postgraduate year one (PGY1) residency position.

Methods: This prospective cohort enrolled fourth professional year pharmacy students from August 2016 to March 2017. Students participated in a faculty-designed residency preparation program, were assigned faculty mentors, and were provided with several residency preparation resources.

Evaluation of Appropriate Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Use With a Hyperkalemia Order Set: A Pilot Study.

Background: No consensus guidelines exist to assist practitioners in the management of hyperkalemia. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) is a common treatment option for hyperkalemia. To aid health-care professionals, a hyperkalemia order set was created at a 979-bed community teaching hospital.

Effect of a Rivaroxaban Patient Assistance Kit (R-PAK) for Patients Discharged With Rivaroxaban: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The combination of poor health literacy and a complex dosing regimen/transition for rivaroxaban in venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatment may increase the likelihood of negative clinical outcomes secondary to nonadherence. The aim was to determine if a Rivaroxaban Patient Assistance Kit (R-PAK) given at hospital discharge increases proper dose transition and overall patient adherence. This prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted at an 859-bed academic medical center.

A structured mentoring program to develop junior faculty into successful co-coordinators of a large multi-instructor pathophysiology course.

Background And Purpose: To develop and implement a system for junior clinical faculty to become successful course coordinators with the use of a mentoring program and ensure that student performance and satisfaction are maintained at a high level.

Educational Activity And Setting: For five years, first-time faculty discussion group leaders in a required large (>225 students) multi-instructor pathophysiology course opted into a structured mentoring program for course coordination in the subsequent year. Program categories included course material development, exam and quiz management, discussion group management, and communication among students, faculty, and staff.

The Evolving Role of Long-Term Pharmacotherapy for Opioid-Induced Constipation in Patients Being Treated for Noncancer Pain.

Nationally, the prescription of opioids for acute and chronic pain is increasing. As opioid use continues to expand and become of increased concern for health-care practitioners, so do the adverse effects and long-term management of those effects. Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) presents a unique challenge because tolerance does not develop to this particular adverse effect, making chronic pain management a delicate balance between relieving pain and preventing long-term adverse effects such as constipation and dependence.

Comparison of hospital length of stay in patients treated with non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants or parenteral agents plus warfarin for venous thromboembolism.

Objectives: Existing research comparing hospital length of stay for patients treated with non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants or parenteral bridging to warfarin has been conducted primarily with the agent rivaroxaban. The objective of this study was to compare hospital length of stay between patients initiated on the non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants, apixaban or rivaroxaban, and patients initiated on parenteral anticoagulation agents plus warfarin for the treatment of venous thromboembolism.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at an 859-bed, not-for-profit, teaching hospital.

Thrombolytic Therapy in Wake-Up Stroke Patients.

Objective: The aim of the study is to review existing and ongoing trial data on wake-up stroke (WUS) patients for thrombolytic therapy.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed (conception-October 2016) using the terms wake-up stroke, acute ischemic stroke, wake-up thrombolysis, computed tomography imaging in wake-up stroke, and magnetic resonance imaging in wake-up stroke. Ongoing trials were found using the ClinicalTrials.

Impact of a Training Program on Pharmacists' Comfort With Pediatric Pharmacy Concepts and Basic Pediatric Knowledge.

To determine the impact of a training program on pharmacists' comfort with pediatric pharmacy concepts and basic pediatric knowledge. All pharmacists at our institution were invited to participate in the study. Consenting participants completed a baseline survey of 15 questions on basic knowledge in 5 pediatric topic areas (pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, weight-based dosing, anticoagulation, renal dosing, and common antibiotics) as well as 8 statements rating self-reported comfort with pediatric pharmacy.

Identification of Factors Impacting Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection and Development of a Risk Evaluation Tool.

Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (RCDI) is a growing concern, yet limited data exists to clarify which patients are at highest risk.  Identification of these patients may better inform decisions of those who may benefit from prophylactic intervention. The purpose of this study was to determine which factors are associated with the recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and to develop a risk stratification tool.

The 2016 ACCP Pharmacotherapy Didactic Curriculum Toolkit.

The 2016 American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Educational Affairs Committee was charged with updating and contemporizing ACCP's 2009 Pharmacotherapy Didactic Curriculum Toolkit. The toolkit has been designed to guide schools and colleges of pharmacy in developing, maintaining, and modifying their curricula. The 2016 committee reviewed the recent medical literature and other documents to identify disease states that are responsive to drug therapy.

Efficacy of Oral Vancomycin in Preventing Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection in Patients Treated With Systemic Antimicrobial Agents.

We compared rates of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection in patients receiving or not receiving oral vancomycin prophylaxis with systemic antimicrobial therapy. The incidence of C. difficile infection was significantly lower in patients receiving prophylaxis (4.

Conception of a Personalized Medication Adherence Discharge Kit for Rivaroxaban.

Purpose: Due to a lack of necessary monitoring with rivaroxaban, patients have fewer opportunities for education, adherence reinforcement, and follow-up. If rivaroxaban is taken incorrectly, patients are at increased risk for adverse events. The objective was to create personalized rivaroxaban patient adherence kits (R-PAKs) to enhance successful transition from 15 mg twice daily to 20 mg once daily on day 22 of venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatment.

Evaluation of N-acetylcysteine for the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy.

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) remains a leading cause of acute renal failure in hospitalized patients. N-Acetylcysteine has been studied previously for the prevention of CIN, resulting in mixed findings.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of N-acetylcysteine on the development of CIN in order to guide its use at community, teaching hospitals.

Evaluation of a Pharmacy-Managed Pharmacokinetic Dosing Program.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of a pharmacy-managed pharmacokinetic dosing program on appropriate dosing of famotidine, enoxaparin, and ketorolac.

Methods: A large community teaching hospital implemented a pharmacy-managed pharmacokinetic dosing program for famotidine, enoxaparin, and ketorolac. Subjects were included if they received famotidine and had a creatinine clearance (CrCl) of <50 mL/min; received therapeutic enoxaparin and had a CrCl of <30 mL/min; or received ketorolac and had a CrCl <30 mL/min, age > 65 years or weight <50 kg.

Evaluation of education on the appropriate use of vitamin k in warfarin reversal in adult inpatients.

Purpose: Vitamin K (phytonadione) is a commonly used first-line reversal agent for vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy in patients presenting with a supratherapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) with or without significant bleeding or in patients with a therapeutic INR in need of surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of education on the appropriate use of vitamin K for VKA reversal.

Methods: Data were collected on patients admitted to a community teaching hospital during February 2010 (pre-education group).

Assessment of students' critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities across a 6-year doctor of pharmacy program.

Objective: To determine the feasibility of using a validated set of assessment rubrics to assess students' critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities across a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum.

Methods: Trained faculty assessors used validated rubrics to assess student work samples for critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities. Assessment scores were collected and analyzed to determine student achievement of these 2 ability outcomes across the curriculum.

Guidelines for resident teaching experiences.

Postgraduate year one (PGY1) and postgraduate year two (PGY2) residencies serve to develop pharmacists into skillful clinicians who provide advanced patient-centered care in various general and specialized areas of pharmacy practice. Pharmacy residencies are a minimum requirement for many clinical pharmacy positions, as well as for positions in academia. The role of clinical pharmacists typically includes teaching, regardless of whether they pursue an academic appointment.