Effect of Inpatient Pharmacist-Led Medication Reconciliations on Medication-Related Interventions in Intensive Care Unit Recovery Centers.

Critical care pharmacists complete comprehensive medication reviews in Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) patients at Intensive Care Unit Recovery Centers (ICU-RCs) to optimize medication therapies after hospital discharge. Inpatient pharmacists often complete medication reconciliations prior to hospital discharge, which could affect interventions at an ICU-RC. However, this association remains ill-described.

An international, multicenter post hoc analysis comparing in-person and virtual medication management strategies in post-ICU recovery clinics.

Disclaimer: In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time.

An International, Multicenter Evaluation of Comprehensive Medication Management by Pharmacists in ICU Recovery Centers.

Background: Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is defined as a new or worsening impairment in physical, cognitive, or mental health following critical illness. Intensive care unit recovery centers (ICU-RC) are one means to treat patients who have PICS. The purpose of this study is to describe the role of pharmacists in ICU-RCs.

Identification of Patient Safety Threats in a Post-Intensive Care Clinic.

The extent to which postintensive care unit (ICU) clinics may improve patient safety for those discharged after receiving intensive care remains unclear. This observational cohort study conducted at an academic, tertiary care medical center used qualitative survey data analyzed via conventional content analysis to describe patient safety threats encountered in the post-ICU clinic. For 83 included patients, safety threats were identified for 60 patients resulting in 96 separate safety threats.

Changing patterns of the prevalence of burnout and secondary traumatic stress in health-system pharmacists throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The demands posed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have led to greater stress and frustration, which in turn can fuel exhaustion, cynicism, secondary traumatic stress (STS), and burnout. More evidence is needed regarding the prevalence of burnout and STS throughout the pandemic.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the changing pattern of the prevalence of burnout and STS in health-system pharmacists throughout the pandemic (early to 20 months into the pandemic).

Medication Changes and Diagnosis of New Chronic Illnesses in COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit Survivors.

Background: Currently, there is limited literature on the impact of the COVID-19 infection on medications and medical conditions in COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) survivors. Our study is, to our knowledge, the first multicenter study to describe the prevalence of new medical conditions and medication changes at hospital discharge in COVID-19 ICU survivors.

Objective: To determine the number of medical conditions and medications at hospital admission compared to at hospital discharge in COVID-19 ICU survivors.

An Electronic Decision Support Intervention Reduces Readmissions for Patients With Cirrhosis.

Introduction: Rifaximin use in combination with lactulose is associated with a decreased risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE).

Methods: We prospectively evaluated the impact of an interruptive electronic medical record alert to indicate rifaximin for patients with cirrhosis and HE on lactulose.

Results: The intervention was associated increased rifaximin utilization, particularly for nongastroenterology and hospitalist services odds ratio 1.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical conditions and medication adherence in people with chronic diseases.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has drastically disrupted primary health care and pharmacy services, posing a challenge in people with chronic diseases who receive routine care. Currently, there exists limited literature on the indirect impact of the pandemic on chronic disease management, particularly related to accessibility to medications and health care resources.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of medical- and medication-related problems reported by people with chronic diseases during the pandemic.

Evaluation of a specialty hepatitis C virus telephone pharmacy service.

Purpose: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) used to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are associated with significant drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Pharmacists are well positioned to identify and mitigate these DDIs. Data to guide assessment of the impact of HCV specialty pharmacy services on identifying and addressing DDIs with DAAs are lacking.

Burnout and secondary traumatic stress in health-system pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: To describe the prevalence of burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS) in health-system pharmacists during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: A cross-sectional, professional pharmacy organization listserver-based online survey of a target group of health-system pharmacists across the United States was conducted. The survey was sent out through professional organization listservers and was anonymous and voluntary.

The Impact of Multiple Renal Estimates on Pharmacist Dosing Recommendations: A Randomized Trial.

Background: Numerous equations are used for estimation of renal function, and many electronic medical records report multiple clearance estimates to assist with drug dosing. It is unknown whether the presence of multiple clearance estimates affects clinical decision-making.

Objective: To determine whether the presence of multiple renal clearance estimates affects pharmacist drug dosing decisions.

Pharmacists' Perceptions on Their Role, Activities, Facilitators, and Barriers to Practicing in a Post-Intensive Care Recovery Clinic.

Complex medication regimen changes burden intensive care unit (ICU) survivors and their caregivers during the transition to home. Intensive care unit recovery clinics are a prime setting for pharmacists to address patients' and their caregivers' medication-related needs. The purpose of this study was to describe ICU recovery clinic pharmacists' activities, roles, and perceived barriers and facilitators to practicing in ICU recovery clinics across different institutions.

Residents as preceptors and educators: What we can learn from a national survey to improve our residency programs.

Introduction: Developing pharmacy residents into effective preceptors is essential to meet the demands of pharmacy education. A survey was created to assess the availability of resident precepting educational opportunities, identify common barriers associated with developing preceptors' skills, and discover strategies to optimize programming.

Methods: An online survey focused on the development of residents as preceptors was e-mailed to all residency program directors (RPD) for American Society of Health-System Pharmacists accredited residencies in the United States.

Therapeutic Advances in HCV Genotype 1 Infection: Insights from the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common blood-borne infection in the United States. The high morbidity and mortality due to untreated infection have prompted updated screening recommendations that now include one-time HCV screening for all patients born between 1945 and 1965, in addition to risk factor-based screening. Current guidelines recommend treatment for all patients with chronic HCV.

Daclatasvir: A NS5A Replication Complex Inhibitor for Hepatitis C Infection.

Objectives: To review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of daclatasvir in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Data Sources: A literature search through EMBASE and PubMed was conducted (January 1966 to August 2015) using the terms BMS-790052, daclatasvir, and hepatitis C. References from retrieved articles were reviewed for any additional material.

The changing landscape of adverse drug events associated with chronic hepatitis C virus therapy.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy has rapidly changed since the approval of IFN in the 1990s. Early treatment brought about significant and therapy limiting adverse drug events (ADEs) such as anemia. Since the direct-acting antivirals were first approved in 2011 and then advanced in 2013, treatment-related ADEs and therapy discontinuations have rapidly decreased, while sustained virologic response rates have significantly increased.

Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir: interferon-/ribavirin-free regimen for chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Objectives: To review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of ledipasvir-sofosbuvir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Data Sources: A literature search through clinicaltrials.gov, EMBASE, and PubMed was conducted (January 1966 to October 2014) using the terms ledipasvir, sofosbuvir, GS-5885, and GS-7977.

Provision of clinical pharmacist services for individuals with chronic hepatitis C viral infection: Joint Opinion of the GI/Liver/Nutrition and Infectious Diseases Practice and Research Networks of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

The objective of this opinion paper was to identify and describe potential clinical pharmacists' services for the prevention and management of patients infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The goals of this paper are to guide the establishment and development of pharmacy services for patients infected with HCV and to highlight HCV research and educational opportunities. Recommendations were based on the following: a review of published data on clinical pharmacist involvement in the treatment and management of HCV-infected patients; a consensus of clinical pharmacists who provide direct patient care to HCV-infected patients and practice in different pharmacy models, including community-based and academic settings; and a review of published guidelines and literature focusing on the treatment and management of HCV infections.

Vedolizumab: an α4β7 integrin inhibitor for inflammatory bowel diseases.

Objectives: To review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of vedolizumab in the treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).

Data Sources: A literature search through clinicialtrials.gov, EMBASE and MEDLINE was conducted (January 1966-June 2014) using the terms vedolizumab and MLN0002.

Use of virtual patients in an advanced therapeutics pharmacy course to promote active, patient-centered learning.

Objective: To assess student satisfaction and learning of course objectives following the integration of virtual patient cases designed to promote active, patient-centered learning in an advanced therapeutics pharmacy course.

Design: A dynamic virtual patient platform that incorporated a branched-narrative, decision-making teaching model was used in an advanced therapeutics course to supplement lecture content.

Assessment: Presimulation and postsimulation tests were used to assess student learning.

Incidence and Management of Rash in Telaprevir-Treated Patients.

Background: Telaprevir-induced rash is a common, therapy-limiting adverse drug event (ADE) for patients with hepatitis c virus (HCV) infection. Given the similarity between telaprevir and simeprevir, real-world management of rash during treatment with an NS3/4A protease inhibitor and its implications are important.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of rash in telaprevir-treated patients, its management, and the impact on sustained virological response and to identify any risk factors for rash development.

Use of an iPad to Provide Warfarin Video Education to Hospitalized Patients.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a warfarin educational video in the hospital setting and to determine patients' satisfaction with using an iPad to view a warfarin educational video.

Methods: This prospective quality improvement project included adult (≥18 years of age) patients on warfarin in the hospital. All patients completed pre-video and post-video knowledge tests on the iPad before and after viewing the educational video on warfarin therapy.

Process indicators of quality clinical pharmacy services during transitions of care.

The American College of Clinical Pharmacy charged the Public and Professional Relations Committee to develop a short white paper describing quality measures of clinical pharmacists' patient care services in transitional care settings. Transitional care describes patient movement from one health care setting or service to another. Care transitions are associated with an increased risk of adverse events for patients.