Ten-year trends in adverse drug reaction-related hospitalizations among people with dementia.

Aim: Trends in the incidence of adverse drug reaction (ADR)-related hospitalizations have been studied in the general population, but not specifically in people with dementia. This study aimed to investigate trends in the incidence of ADR-related hospitalizations among people with dementia, and identify the most commonly implicated drugs and diagnoses in these admissions.

Methods: This study utilized the administrative data of all adults admitted to the four major public hospitals of Tasmania, Australia, with a primary or secondary diagnosis of dementia from July 2010 to December 2019.

Pharmacist-led interventions to reduce adverse drug events in older people living in residential aged care facilities: A systematic review.

Aims: We aimed to investigate the efficacy and effectiveness of pharmacist-led interventions to reduce adverse drug events (ADEs) in older people living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and PsycINFO from their inceptions to July 2020. We investigated experimental study designs that employed a control group, or quasi-experimental studies conducted in RACFs.

Outcomes of Medication Misadventure Among People With Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: To investigate mortality and hospitalization outcomes associated with medication misadventure (including medication errors [MEs], such as the use of potentially inappropriate medications [PIMs], and adverse drug events [ADEs]) among people with cognitive impairment or dementia.

Data Sources: Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to December 2019.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: Relevant studies using any study design were included.

Effect of a Fucoidan Extract on Insulin Resistance and Cardiometabolic Markers in Obese, Nondiabetic Subjects: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Objectives: To determine whether a fucoidan extract reduced insulin resistance and/or altered other cardiometabolic markers in an obese, nondiabetic population.

Design: Single-site, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trial.

Setting/location: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

Anticoagulation knowledge in patients with atrial fibrillation: An Australian survey.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most commonly diagnosed arrhythmia in clinical practice, and is associated with a significant medical and economic burden. Anticoagulants reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism by approximately two-thirds compared with no therapy. Knowledge regarding anticoagulant therapy can influence treatment outcomes in patients with AF.

The relationship between knowledge, health literacy, and adherence among patients taking oral anticoagulants for stroke thromboprophylaxis in atrial fibrillation.

Background: Patients' knowledge regarding their oral anticoagulant (OAC) treatment for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF), their level of medication adherence, and health literacy are known to affect treatment outcomes. However, contemporary data regarding the relationships between these variables are lacking.

Objective: To investigate the relationships between anticoagulant knowledge, health literacy, and self-reported adherence in patients taking warfarin and the directly acting oral anticoagulants.

Factors associated with overestimation of asthma control: A cross-sectional study in Australia.

Objective: To investigate actual and perceived disease control in Australians with asthma, and identify factors associated with overestimation of asthma control.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of Australian adults with asthma, who were recruited via Facebook to complete an online survey. The survey included basic demographic questions, and validated tools assessing asthma knowledge, medication adherence, medicine beliefs, illness perception and asthma control.

Adverse-Drug-Reaction-Related Hospitalisations in Developed and Developing Countries: A Review of Prevalence and Contributing Factors.

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are one of the leading causes of hospital admissions and morbidity in developed countries and represent a substantial burden on healthcare delivery systems. However, there is little data available from low- and middle-income countries. This review compares the prevalence and characteristics of ADR-related hospitalisations in adults in developed and developing countries, including the mortality, severity and preventability associated with these events, commonly implicated drugs and contributing factors.

Development and Validation of an Oral Anticoagulation Knowledge Tool (AKT).

Background: Assessing and improving patients' anticoagulation knowledge can lead to better treatment outcomes. While validated knowledge instruments exist for use in people taking warfarin, these tools are not necessarily applicable to patients taking direct-acting oral anticoagulants.

Objective: To develop and validate an oral anticoagulation knowledge instrument that is applicable to all oral anticoagulant medications.

A Summary of the Literature Evaluating Adherence and Persistence with Oral Anticoagulants in Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a growing public health concern and remains an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke. Warfarin, a commonly used oral anticoagulant, is associated with a 60-70 % relative reduction in stroke risk and a reduction in mortality of 26 %. However, warfarin has several limitations, including a narrow therapeutic window, variable dose response, multiple interactions with other drugs and concurrent illnesses, and the need for frequent laboratory monitoring.

The effect of knowledge and expectations on adherence to and persistence with antidepressants.

Purpose: Adherence to and persistence with antidepressants are often suboptimal. However, little is known about how patient knowledge and outcome expectations may influence antidepressant adherence and persistence.

Method: Individuals who had been prescribed their first antidepressant to treat depression in the preceding 6 months were recruited to an online survey via Facebook.

Anticoagulant Use in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: Has Prescribing Improved?

Discordance between international guideline recommendations and anticoagulant prescribing patterns among patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) has been frequently reported. This study was designed to compare the anticoagulant utilization pattern to earlier data in the same population and identify predictors of anticoagulant prescribing among patients with NVAF. We reviewed patients with NVAF admitted to Tasmania's 3 major hospitals between January 2011 and June 2012 and compared the anticoagulant utilization pattern to earlier data.

Pain and Functionality Following Sternotomy: A Prospective 12-Month Observational Study.

Objective: To document pain levels, functionality, and analgesic use in the 12 months following a sternotomy to identify factors associated with the development of persistent post-sternotomy pain.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Settings: Royal Hobart Hospital, Australia.

Patient Characteristics and Antithrombotic Prescribing Patterns in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation in Tasmania.

Limited data are available on atrial fibrillation (AF) and its clinical management and outcomes from an Australian perspective. This study was designed to examine the patient characteristics and antithrombotic treatment patterns among patients with AF in Tasmania, Australia. This retrospective observational study reviewed and followed patients with AF admitted to Tasmania's 3 major hospitals between January 2011 and June 2012.

Medication Adherence Following Acute Coronary Syndrome: Does One Size Fit All?

Guideline-based management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is well established, yet some may challenge that strict implementation of guideline recommendations can limit the individualization of therapy. The use of all recommended medications following ACS places a high burden of responsibility and cost on patients, particularly when these medications have not been previously prescribed. Without close attention to avoiding non-adherence to these medications, the full benefits of the guideline recommendations will not be realized in many patients.

Subacute Pain as a Predictor of Long-Term Pain Following Orthopedic Surgery: An Australian Prospective 12 Month Observational Cohort Study.

The aim of this study was to document the level of pain and functionality in the 12 months following orthopedic surgery and identify if high pain levels following discharge were associated with pain persisting at 12 months.An observational prospective cohort study was undertaken, following 87 patients (mean age 62.4 years [18-92]; 47.

Use of Opioid Analgesics in Older Australians.

Objective: To identify potential medication management issues associated with opioid use in older Australians.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional review of the utilization of analgesics in 19,581 people who underwent a medication review in Australia between 2010 and 2012.

Subjects: Australian residents living in the community deemed at risk for adverse medication outcomes or any resident living fulltime in an aged care facility.

Supervised patient self-testing of warfarin therapy using an online system.

Background: Point-of-care international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring devices simplify warfarin management by allowing selected patients to monitor their own therapy in their homes. Patient self-testing (PST) has been shown to improve the clinical outcomes of warfarin therapy compared to usual care.

Objective: To compare management of warfarin therapy using PST combined with online supervision by physicians via a custom system with usual warfarin management, which involved laboratory testing and physician dosing.

Review of the management of childhood asthma in Tasmania.

Aim: To review the supply of medications to children with asthma and parent-reported management of childhood asthma in Tasmania and highlight evidence-practice gaps for future interventions.

Methods: Participating pharmacies ran a software application that extracted data from dispensing records and helped to identify children with asthma. Parents of identified children were mailed a survey evaluating components of asthma management.

Improving the management of warfarin in aged-care facilities utilising innovative technology: a proof-of-concept study.

Objective: In aged-care facilities (ACFs) monitoring of warfarin can be logistically challenging and International Normalised Ratio (INR control) is often suboptimal. We aimed to determine whether an integrated information and communications technology system and the use of point-of-care (POC) monitors by nursing staff could improve the INR control of aged-care facility residents who take warfarin.

Methods: Nursing staff identified residents who were prescribed warfarin in participating ACFs.

The benefits of pharmacist-delivered warfarin education in the home.

Objectives: Good warfarin knowledge is important for optimal patient outcomes, but barriers exist to effective education and warfarin knowledge is often poor. This study aimed to explore the educational outcomes of home-based warfarin education provided by trained pharmacists.

Methods: In a prospective, non-randomised, controlled cohort trial, patients received either usual community-based post-discharge care or a post-discharge warfarin management service, including warfarin education by trained pharmacists during two or three home visits.