Implementing a Systematic Approach to Deprescribing Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy in Older Adults.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of a population health management initiative aimed at reducing the unnecessary use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in elderly patients via a tapering process by measuring 1) the percentage of patients that initiate the PPI taper, 2) the number of patients 65 years of age and older with undocumented or unknown indication on PPI therapy for longer than eight weeks, and 3) the percentage of pharmacists' discontinuation recommendations accepted by the provider.

Design: Prospective, interventional pilot study.

Setting: Tier 3 patient-centered medical home within a major academic medical center with multiple sites.

Patient-Level Medication Regimen Complexity in an Adolescent and Adult Population with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Background: Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience polypharmacy. However, there is limited understanding of how to quantify medication complexity in this vulnerable population.

Objectives: This study examined medication administration difficulty using the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) tool in adolescents and adults with ASD.

Pharmacogenomic testing: aiding in the management of psychotropic therapy for adolescents with autism spectrum disorders.

Adolescents with autism have higher rates of anxiety than the general adolescent population. They often struggle to express psychological symptoms verbally where their symptoms may manifest as withdrawal and agitation. Adolescent patients with autism have higher rates of polypharmacy and high-risk psychiatric medication use (eg, atypical antipsychotics) than other patients with psychiatric illness.

Short-term outcomes of an employer-sponsored diabetes management program at an ambulatory care pharmacy clinic.

Purpose: The impact of a collaborative, employer-sponsored diabetes management program on glycemic control and other clinical endpoints over 6-12 months is reported.

Methods: In a retrospective, chart-based evaluation, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) and related health status indicators were assessed among first-year enrollees in the Healthy Outcome Partnership for Employees (HOPE) with Diabetes Program, an ongoing program sponsored by the Wake Forest Baptist Health (WFBH) system. Diabetes management services were provided by pharmacists in collaboration with providers inside and outside the WFBH system.

Evaluation of a pharmacist-managed lipid clinic that uses point-of-care lipid testing.

Background: Hyperlipidemia is a significant, modifiable risk factor for developing coronary heart disease. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal achievement has improved overall, but many high-risk patients remain above the desired LDL-C goals. Published data have demonstrated the ability of pharmacist-managed lipid clinics to improve lipid management in a variety of clinical settings.