The Clinical Pharmacy Specialists' Role in Antihypertensive Management Surrounding Bariatric Surgery in a Veterans Affairs Population.

Background: No guidelines exist for de-escalating antihypertensive medications surrounding bariatric surgery. This study analyzed clinical pharmacy specialist (CPS) management of antihypertensive medications in patients undergoing bariatric surgery at a Veterans Affairs medical center.

Objectives: The primary objective was to describe the CPS role in antihypertensive management surrounding bariatric surgery through evaluation of number of CPS encounters, number and type of antihypertensive medications and medication interventions by CPSs and all other providers, over 5 time periods between a pre-operative assessment and up to 6 months post-operatively.

Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic evaluation of insulin glargine U300 for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.

Glargine 300 units/ml (Gla-300) is a novel basal insulin formulation approved in 2015 for the treatment of diabetes. This more concentrated form of glargine causes delayed redissolution from the subcutaneous depot after injection and thus altered action profile. Areas covered: The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and safety of Gla-300 in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) will be reviewed.

Collaborative hypertension case management by registered nurses and clinical pharmacy specialists within the Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) model.

Background: Clinical Pharmacy Specialists (CPSs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) are integrally involved in the Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) model, especially as physician extenders in the management of chronic disease states. CPSs may be an alternative to physicians as a supporting prescriber for RN case management (RNCM) of poorly controlled hypertension.

Objective: To compare CPS-directed versus physician-directed RNCM for patients with poorly controlled hypertension.

Effect of sulfonylurea dose escalation on hemoglobin A1c in Veterans Affairs patients with type 2 diabetes.

Sulfonylureas are often titrated to maximum doses despite evidence that their efficacy plateaus above half-maximum doses. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of doubling the dose of glyburide and glipizide to high doses on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in Veterans Affairs patients with type 2 diabetes. A retrospective review of 131 patient cases with prescriptions for high-dose glyburide or glipizide from July 1 through December 18, 2008, was conducted.

Investigating the relationship between the practice of pharmaceutical care, construed external image, organizational identification, and job turnover intention of community pharmacists.

Background: Pharmacy employers are being challenged to recruit and retain qualified employees.

Objectives: Our study hypothesized that pharmacists who practice pharmaceutical care have an attractive construed external image (how employees think outsiders view their organization), which strengthens their organizational identification (perceptions of oneness with or belongingness to the organization) and decreases job turnover intention (thoughts of quitting/searching for another job).

Methods: A 7-page questionnaire was mailed to the homes of a random sample of 759 licensed pharmacists practicing in the United States.

Safety of outpatient dalteparin therapy in veterans with mechanical heart valves.

Study Objectives: To determine the rate of bleeding and thromboembolic events within 1 month of outpatient dalteparin therapy in veterans with mechanical heart valves, to evaluate potential risk factors associated with these events, and to examine the prescribing patterns of dalteparin in this patient population.

Design: Single-center retrospective electronic chart review.

Setting: Large, academically affiliated Veterans Affairs hospital.

Drug-induced esophageal injuries and dysphagia.

Objective: To review and analyze medical literature documenting drug-induced esophageal injury and dysphagia and to formulate strategies to enhance pharmacists' prevention, detection, and treatment of these iatrogenic complications.

Data Sources: A MEDLINE search (1966-April 2002) was conducted to identify primary and secondary literature using variable combinations of the following search terms: pill-induced, drug-induced, or iatrogenic with esophageal injury, esophageal damage, or dysphagia. Bibliographies were also reviewed to identify additional relevant references.