Pharmacist Interventions for Inhaled Medication Use in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Pharmacists are ideally situated and trained to educate and advocate for the proper use of inhaled medications among patients in the community. Proper inhaler technique is an important way to prevent exacerbations and manage the symptoms associated with chronic pulmonary diseases. The American Lung Association estimates almost 6 million people 65 years of age or older had a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 2020 in the United States.

Patient Perspective: Vaccines for Older People.

Pharmacists, as one of the most accessible health care professionals in the community, can educate, promote, and administer vaccinations. Immunizations are an important way to protect communities from potentially severe diseases, including COVID-19, influenza, pneumonia, shingles, hepatitis, and monkeypox. Though adults 65 years of age and older tend to have higher vaccination rates than other age groups, there are health care disparities that exist in relation to socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality.

Pharmacists' Impact on Older Adults Transitioning To and From Patient Care Centers: A Scoping Review.

Expand upon previous reviews conducted on transitions of care (TOC) services with a focus on pharmacist interventions for older adults specifically transitioning to and from long-term care, acute rehabilitation, residential care facilities, care homes, skilled nursing, or assisted living facilities, collectively termed patient care centers (PCC). A PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE search was conducted including citations between 1974 and July 14, 2022. Bibliographies were also reviewed for additional citations.

Experiential Pharmacy Education During a Pandemic: Lessons Learned.

The COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed how the world operates and introduced a multitude of unprecedented challenges for all health professionals, especially for those responsible for training learners, including pharmacy residents and students. Due to density and social distancing restrictions, many pharmacy schools and residency programs had to transition to virtual experiential learning-with little to no existing literature, structure, or adequate time for planning. This article offers a variety of approaches to ensure that pharmacy learners meet accreditation requirements, engage in interprofessional education and collaboration, reflect on their learning, prioritize self-care, and are adequately prepared to enter geriatric pharmacy practice despite current challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Real-world impact on monthly glucose-lowering medication cost, HbA, weight, and polytherapy after initiating a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Objective: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are preferred injectable therapies for type 2 diabetes, but their high cost is an area of concern. This study evaluated monthly glucose-lowering medication cost and clinical impact after initiating a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Design: A retrospective, pre-post cohort study evaluated monthly glucose-lowering medication cost, glycated hemoglobin (HbA), weight, and polytherapy impact (name, dose, and number of daily doses or injections) when a GLP-1 receptor agonist was initiated (baseline) and after 6-12 months (follow-up).

Evaluation of vitamin B12 monitoring in patients on metformin in urban ambulatory care settings.

Background: Previous studies linked metformin use to vitamin B12 deficiency and demonstrated that the prevalence of vitamin B12 monitoring remains low.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the occurrence of monitoring vitamin B12 levels in a diverse population.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of adult patients with type 2 diabetes on metformin doses ≥ 1000 mg for ≥ 6 months at five Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and one Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

Nitrofurantoin Use in Frail, Community-Dwelling, Older Adults with Renal Impairment.

Nitrofurantoin is recommended as a first-line antibiotic for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). However, it is contraindicated in patients with a creatinine clearance (Clcr) less than 60 mL/min. In 2015, the American Geriatrics Society updated the Beers criteria to recommend nitrofurantoin for short-term use in patients with a Clcr greater than or equal to 30 mL/min.

Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescriptions/Screening Tools to Alert Doctors to Right Treatment Medication Criteria Modified for U.S. Nursing Home Setting.

Objectives: To develop a set of prescribing indicators measurable with available data from electronic nursing home (NH) databases by adapting the European-based 2014 Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescriptions (STOPP) and Screening Tools to Alert Doctors to Right Treatment (START) criteria of potentially inappropriate and underused medications for the U.S.

Design: A two-stage expert panel process.

Optimizing inhaler use by pharmacist-provided education to community-dwelling elderly.

Objective: To assess, using a standard observational tool, the ability of patients to demonstrate and maintain proper inhaled medication administration techniques following pharmacist education.

Design: Six-month observational study.

Setting: Patients' homes or adult day health center.

Pharmacist-managed oral anticoagulation therapy in the community setting.

Pharmacists are at the forefront when caring for patients requiring anticoagulation resulting from chronic conditions, complex medications therapy, or at risk for drug interactions. As a consequence, there is a greater need for pharmacist-managed anticoagulation clinics in the community setting. This article will review special considerations for oral anticoagulant therapy in the elderly, collaborative therapy management, establishment of policies and procedures, documentation of patient visits, patient counseling, and barriers to successful anticoagulation management.

The PACE program: home-based long-term care.

Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) provide comprehensive care within the framework of a medical home model for the frail elderly living in the community. Participants must be at least 55 years of age, qualify for nursing facility level of care, and reside safely in the community at the time of enrollment. Often referred to as "nursing homes without walls," PACE programs provide all services covered by Medicare and Medicaid including primary care, medical specialties, adult day health centers, home care, prescription and over-the-counter medications, social work, dietitians, and any other service deemed necessary by the interdisciplinary team.