An assessment of seven closed system transfer devices in accordance with the 2015 NIOSH vapor containment performance protocol.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the effectiveness of seven different closed system transfer device (CSTD) product lines following the 2015 NIOSH Vapor Containment Performance Protocol, using a Gasmet™ DX5000 Terra multigas FTIR analyzer.

Methods: Seven different CSTD systems were assessed using a two-task evaluation on their capacity to contain the NIOSH-specified challenge agent, 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA). Task 1 simulated reconstitution and compounding steps while Task 2 simulated compounding and administration steps.

Understanding individual experiences with stick-built and modular cleanrooms: Lessons learned and a call to action.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the real-world experiences of cleanroom managers and specialists who have designed, installed, and maintained stick-built and/or modular cleanrooms, delineate the advantages and disadvantages of each type of cleanroom, and gather sterile compounding cleanroom design and installation advice and lessons learned.

Methods: This study was conducted via surveys and semistructured interviews of individuals with cleanroom experience in the previous 5 years. Qualitative analyses were conducted on participants' survey and interview responses to assess their satisfaction with each type of cleanroom and to determine what they perceive to be the pros and cons of each type based on their own experiences.

An assessment of exposed syringe inner walls as a route of exposure from hazardous drugs.

Introduction: Maintaining safe working environments for health care personnel, especially for those who regularly handle hazardous drugs (HDs), is of utmost importance. Studies have shown that when closed system transfer devices (CSTDs) are used with standard open barrel syringes, cyclophosphamide (CP), a commonly used HD, is transferred to the syringe plunger during compounding or administration processes. This contamination can then be transferred to the work environment, endangering workers.

Patient Perceptions of Opioids and Benzodiazepines and Attitudes Toward Deprescribing.

Background: Opioids and benzodiazepines (BZDs) pose a public health problem. Older adults are especially susceptible to adverse events from opioids and BZDs owing to an increased usage of opioids and BZDs, multiple comorbidities, and polypharmacy. Deprescribing is a possible, yet challenging, solution to reducing opioid and BZD use.

A descriptive analysis of primary care providers' interest in clinical pharmacy services.

Background: Various clinical pharmacy services exist to improve the health outcomes of patients. However, there are numerous barriers to their implementation and execution, especially in outpatient settings. As pharmacists design and implement clinical pharmacy services in outpatient settings, they often do not consider the needs of providers until after service development.

Patterns and disparities in prescribing of opioids and benzodiazepines for older adults in North Carolina.

Background: We characterized real-world prescribing patterns of opioids and benzodiazepines (BZDs) for older adults to explore potential disparities by race and sex and to characterize patterns of co-prescribing.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation was conducted using electronic health data for adults ≥65 years old who presented to one of 15 primary care practices between 2019 and 2020 (n = 25,141). Chronic opioid and BZD users had ≥4 prescriptions in the year prior, with at least one in the last 90 or 180 days, respectively.

A pilot study on the use of the nominal group technique to refine core pharmacy roles and to determine what competencies may be missing from pharmacy education.

Introduction: To describe the use of the nominal group technique (NGT) to refine pharmacy core roles and to compare these roles with current pharmacy outcomes and other literature to highlight potential deficiencies.

Methods: The NGT process was used for this proposal review. The process was conducted in four key stages: silent generation, round-robin, clarification, and voting.

Primary-Care Prescribers' Perspectives on Deprescribing Opioids and Benzodiazepines in Older Adults.

Purpose: Opioids and benzodiazepines (BZDs) are frequently implicated as contributing to falls in older adults. Deprescribing of these medications continues to be challenging. This study evaluated primary-care prescribers' confidence in and perceptions of deprescribing opioids and BZDs for older adults.

A deprescribing medication program to evaluate falls in older adults: methods for a randomized pragmatic clinical trial.

Background: Opioids and benzodiazepines (BZDs) are some of the most commonly prescribed medications that contribute to falls in older adults. These medications are challenging to appropriately prescribe and monitor, with little guidance on safe prescribing of these medications for older patients. Only a handful of small studies have evaluated whether reducing opioid and BZD use through deprescribing has a positive impact on outcomes.

Pharmacist interventions to deprescribe opioids and benzodiazepines in older adults: A rapid review.

Background: Many older adults are prescribed opioids and benzodiazepines (BZDs), despite increased susceptibility to adverse events. Challenges of deprescribing include fragmented care and lack of knowledge or time. Pharmacists are well-positioned to overcome these challenges and facilitate deprescribing of these medications.

Transitioning Focus Group Research to a Videoconferencing Environment: A Descriptive Analysis of Interactivity.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted face-to-face interactions in healthcare research, with many studies shifting to video-based data collection for qualitative research. This study describes the interactivity achieved in a videoconferencing focus group of seven primary care providers discussing deprescribing opioids and benzodiazepines. Researchers reviewed video footage of a focus group conducted via Zoom and assessed interactivity using Morgan's framework for focus group communication processes.

Assessing the Impact of Comprehensive Medication Management on Achievement of the Quadruple Aim.

Nonoptimized medication regimens cost patients and payors in the United States more than $528 billion in additional health care expenses each year. Comprehensive medication management is a patient-centered approach to medication optimization delivered by a clinical pharmacist working with the patient, physicians, and other members of the health care team. Comprehensive medication management ensures medications are assessed for appropriateness, effectiveness, and safety given the patient's clinical status, comorbidities, and other medications, as well as the patient's ability to take the medications as intended and adhere to the regimen.

Integrating targeted consultant pharmacists into a new collaborative care model to reduce the risk of falls in older adults owing to the overuse of opioids and benzodiazepines.

Using central nervous system (CNS)-active medications increases older adults' risk for falls and fall-related injuries. Opioids and benzodiazepines are among the most widely used CNS-active medications and because of their addictive potential and widespread use for common ailments such as chronic pain, anxiety, or sleep, are also among the most difficult to deprescribe. Reducing the dose burden of these 2 medication classes in older adults-to balance safety with efficacy-is a challenge that requires persistence and strategic support structures to be successful.

Implementation of a Student-Developed, Service-Based Internship for Pharmacy Students.

Purpose: This article describes the development, implementation, and impact of a student-created pharmacy internship program with aspects of service-learning, professional development, and ambulatory care pharmacy practice.

Program Description: As the pharmacy profession continues to evolve, pharmacy internships present valuable opportunities for student pharmacists to explore career pathways and develop personal and professional skills. While internships in clinical and industry settings support interns' professional development, service-based internships provide additional benefits to student pharmacists by promoting cultural awareness, community engagement, and commitment to serving underserved patients.