Impact of a COPD care bundle on hospital readmission rates.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide and contributes considerably to morbidity and health care costs. In October 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services introduced financial penalties followed by bundled payments for care improvement initiatives in patients hospitalized with COPD.

Objectives: This study seeks to evaluate whether an evidence-based interprofessional COPD care bundle focused on inpatient, transitional, and outpatient care would reduce hospital readmission rates.

Decreasing Hospital Readmissions Utilizing an Evidence-Based COPD Care Bundle.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic condition that leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Management of COPD hospitalizations utilizing an evidence-based care bundle can provide consistent quality of care and may reduce readmissions.

Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study evaluated readmission rates in patients hospitalized with a COPD exacerbation.

The Impact of a Home Respiratory Therapist to Reduce 30-Day Readmission Rates for Exacerbation of COPD.

Background: In 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services limited payments to hospitals with high readmission rates for patients admitted with COPD exacerbation. Decreasing readmissions in this patient population improves patient health and decreases health care utilization of resources. We hypothesized a COPD disease management program delivered by a respiratory therapist (RT) in the patient's home may reduce readmission rates for COPD exacerbation.

Methods and Barriers to Communication Between Pharmacists During Transitions of Care.

Effective communication between pharmacists across healthcare settings is essential to facilitate transitions of care (TOC) and improve patient outcomes. To explore pharmacists' communication methods and preferences and identify barriers to communication during TOC. A survey was distributed to a convenience sample of pharmacists in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Texas.

Pharmacologic Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive, autoimmune inflammatory disease of the joints, which can result in permanent cartilage and bone damage. Although the exact cause of RA is unknown, there are many risk factors that have been associated with RA. When RA occurs, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy synovial and connective tissue.

Incorporation of a multi-modal interactive exercise on student pharmacists' perceptions of lifestyle modification in weight loss promotion.

Background And Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the impact of a calorie tracking and dietary modification activity on students' perceptions of the challenges associated with weight loss.

Educational Activity And Setting: Students maintained a two-day paper calorie log, then received a weight management lecture, followed by four additional days of calorie tracking using a mobile application. Demographics, self-evaluation of obesity-related knowledge, perceptions on weight loss difficulties, utility of mobile technology, and overall program value were evaluated.

Effect of Nursing Education on Optimization of Medication Reconciliation in the Pediatric Emergency Department.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of education on optimizing medication histories in a single-center pediatric emergency department.

Methods: This was a prospective, 2-phase study of 200 patients ages 21 years and younger who presented to the pediatric emergency department in January and February 2017. In phase I of the study, 100 patients were interviewed by both a nurse and a pharmacist.

Long-Acting Bronchodilator Use in the Management of Stable COPD.

Objective: To review the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with a focus on updated information regarding the use of long-acting bronchodilators in the prevention of exacerbations and outcomes associated with this disease.

Data Sources: A literature search of the MEDLINE databases through November 2017 was conducted. All published articles regarding use of bronchodilator therapy in the management of COPD were evaluated.

Heart Failure: A Class Review of Pharmacotherapy.

A recent guideline update for the treatment of heart failure has created the need for a new look at the medication classes and trials related to the disease. The authors focus on pharmacological options available for treating the problem.

Targeting Interleukin-5 in Patients With Severe Eosinophilic Asthma: A Clinical Review.

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) is known to play a major role in the growth, differentiation, recruitment, and activation of eosinophils. The authors review the efficacy and safety of two IL-5-targeting agents used in the treatment of eosinophilic asthma.

Empagliflozin: a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor for treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Purpose: The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, adverse effects, dosage and administration, and drug-drug interactions of empagliflozin are reviewed.

Summary: Empagliflozin is a direct inhibitor of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), which acts to lower the renal threshold and increase urinary glucose excretion. SGLT2 is found in the proximal tubules of the kidneys and reabsorbs about 90% of the filtered glucose.

Exploring Transitional Care: Evidence-Based Strategies for Improving Provider Communication and Reducing Readmissions.

The coordination of care as patients move from one health care setting to another is crucial to treatment, but breakdowns in the process lead to poor transitions, fragmented care, hospital readmissions, and increased costs. This article discusses evidence-based strategies for improving communication and reducing readmissions.

Evaluating the Potential Impact of Pharmacist Counseling on Medication Adherence Using a Simulation Activity.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of counseling in a simulated medication adherence activity.

Design: Students were randomized into 2 groups: patient medication monograph only (PMMO) and patient medication monograph with counseling (PMMC). Both groups received a fictitious medication and monograph.