Updated vaccination and screening recommendations for hepatitis B: Implications for pharmacists.

The number of new infections of hepatitis B is rising and a large number of cases are undiagnosed. These factors are contributing to hepatitis B-related liver complications, including liver cancer, and deaths that could be prevented. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated vaccination and screening/testing recommendations for hepatitis B.

Establishment and evaluation of scalable COVID-19 vaccine clinics at a large university.

Background: Previous large-scale vaccination clinics have been successful before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; however, owing to the strict storage requirements and pharmaceutical preparation needed for the COVID-19 vaccines, careful thought and planning were necessary to successfully deploy these clinics immediately after vaccine availability. The focus of this manuscript is to describe the development and implementation of COVID-19 vaccination clinics in a large public university, using professionals from within and outside of its health sciences schools.

Objectives: The primary objective of this project was to (1) implement COVID-19 vaccination clinics for university faculty, staff, students, and community members.

Impact of naloxone education for patients receiving buprenorphine-containing prescriptions indicated for opioid use disorder at an independent community pharmacy.

Objectives: A pilot study was conducted to identify whether an opioid education and naloxone distribution (OEND) service affected (1) willingness to accept naloxone; (2) naloxone dispensation; and (3) patient knowledge about opioids, overdose symptoms, and naloxone in patients receiving buprenorphine prescriptions for opioid use disorder (OUD).

Methods: Participants were enrolled from January 2, 2019, to February 15, 2019, in this prospective noncontrolled study when receiving a buprenorphine prescription at the study site. The exclusion criteria included prescriptions being picked up by someone other than the patient and those who were below 18 years of age.

Development of coupled patient care experience courses to enhance patient care skills in the ambulatory and acute care settings.

Background And Purpose: Providing opportunities to allow pharmacy students to apply clinical skills is essential to ensure that they are comfortable and competent to perform these skills during advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) and in practice. We describe unique coupled courses that require students to apply clinical skills during real patient encounters and simulation activities in the ambulatory and acute care setting to ensure that they are ready for APPEs.

Educational Activity And Setting: New required courses were developed at West Virginia University School of Pharmacy that focused on teaching and reinforcing patient care skills in the ambulatory and acute care settings.

Adolescent Vaccines: Current Recommendations and Techniques to Improve Vaccination Rates.

With multiple vaccines for adolescents recommended, it is imperative providers remain up to date with the current recommendations. With misinformation of vaccine safety and effectiveness in the mainstream media and social media, adolescents are a vulnerable population that needs to be reviewed and educated. Adolescents are typically only just starting to take ownership of their health care.

Assessment of Patient Education about Statin Therapy on Quality Measures and Knowledge in an Independent Community Pharmacy.

Objectives: The objectives were to 1) assess the possible impact of face-to-face patient education on Electronic Quality Improvement Platform for Plans and Pharmacies (EQuIPP) performance scores, 2) determine if face-to-face patient education increased overall knowledge and number of identified patients on statin therapy, and 3) identify barriers to statin therapy in targeted patients with diabetes.

Design: Participants received an anonymous survey tool collecting demographic data and assessing barriers, baseline knowledge, and perceptions about statin therapy. Following the initial survey, participants received education from the pharmacist describing the risks and benefits of statin therapy and were given a supplemental pamphlet.

Assessment of targeted automated messages on herpes zoster immunization numbers in an independent community pharmacy.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of an automated phone call by a pharmacy owner on the number of herpes zoster vaccinations given in the independent community pharmacy setting, compare herpes zoster immunization numbers in the 3 months during the previous year to the 3 months during the intervention, and assess patient satisfaction with the automated phone call service.

Methods: This prospective study took place in an independent community pharmacy. A message was recorded by the pharmacy owner using a telephone-message program that notified patients aged 60 and older that the herpes zoster vaccine is recommended for them.

The impact of medication synchronization on quality care criteria in an independent community pharmacy.

Objectives: To determine the impact of a comprehensive medication synchronization program in an independent community pharmacy by (1) evaluating changes in Electronic Quality Improvement Platform for Plans and Pharmacies (EQuIPP) scores and (2) examining the change in monthly prescription volume.

Setting: Independent community pharmacy in Morgantown, WV.

Practice Description: Waterfront Family Pharmacy is a single-location independent community pharmacy located in Morgantown, WV.