Best practice model for outpatient psychiatric pharmacy practice, part 1: Development of initial attribute statements.

Introduction: A 2019 survey identified significant variability of practice characteristics among outpatient psychiatric pharmacists (OPPs). No published model establishes which attributes constitute best practice for OPPs. By developing a consensus for best practice model attributes, OPPs can work toward consistent, effective patient care.

Best practice model for outpatient psychiatric pharmacy practice, part 2: Confirmation of the attribute statements.

Introduction: The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP) used multiple modalities to develop and refine 28 attribute statements to describe a best practice model for outpatient psychiatric pharmacists. Before addressing implementation, assessment, and field testing, it was necessary to finalize and confirm the statements and their supporting narratives among stakeholders. The objective of this project was to confirm the attribute statements and supporting justifications for a best practice model for outpatient psychiatric pharmacists providing direct patient care.

Evaluation and optimization of take-home naloxone in an academic medical center.

With the United States in the midst of an opioid overdose epidemic, efforts to reduce overdose deaths have increased. Expanding access to the opioid antagonist naloxone can combat the epidemic. A pilot project in a psychiatric hospital resulted in the development of a screening tool in the electronic medical record (EMR) to help pharmacists identify adult inpatients at high risk of opioid overdose.

Ketamine for the Acute Management of Excited Delirium and Agitation in the Prehospital Setting.

Traditional first-line therapy in the prehospital setting for the acutely agitated patient includes an antipsychotic in combination with a benzodiazepine. Recently, interest has grown regarding the use of ketamine in the prehospital setting as an attempt to overcome the limitations of the traditional medications and provide a more safe and effective therapy. This review provides an overview of the pharmacology of ketamine, evaluates the literature regarding ketamine use for prehospital agitation, and proposes an algorithm that may be used within the prehospital setting.

Adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines for bipolar depression in an inpatient setting.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine whether patients with a discharge diagnosis of bipolar depression were prescribed medications that are in accordance with evidence-based treatment guidelines and are FDA-approved for bipolar depression.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to assess prescribing of evidence-based therapies for patients discharged between November 2007 and August 2010 with a diagnosis code of BPD at the time of discharge. The primary objective of the study was to determine if evidence-based medications were prescribed at the time of discharge.

Evaluation of urinalyses ordered for diagnosis of urinary tract infections at an inpatient psychiatric hospital.

Objective: A retrospective study was conducted to assess the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) using urinalyses (UA)s at a psychiatric hospital.

Method: Patients admitted between July 2010 and June 2011 receiving at least one UA during inpatient psychiatric hospitalization were included. Pregnant patients and those with a UA receiving antibiotic treatment in the emergency department were excluded.