Chemical Degradation of Intravenous Chemotherapy Agents and Opioids by a Novel Instrument.

To assess chemical degradation of various liquid chemotherapy and opioid drugs in the novel RxDestruct™ instrument. Intravenous (IV) drug solutions for chemotherapy and pain management were prepared using 0.9% normal saline in Excel bags to a final volume of 500 mL.

Program development of a preceptor bootcamp for operational pharmacy preceptors.

Purpose: To describe the development, design, and implementation of a pilot preceptor development bootcamp and feedback related to its feasibility and impact on operational pharmacy preceptors.

Summary: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center designed and implemented a pilot preceptor development bootcamp for operational staff pharmacists serving as residency preceptors for longitudinal weekend staffing experiences. A systematic, multipronged approach was taken to identify preceptor development gaps and design a full-day bootcamp curriculum.

Impact of a pharmacy-driven transitions-of-care program on postdischarge healthcare utilization at a national comprehensive cancer center.

Purpose: Results of a study comparing readmission rates and medication adherence measures before and after implementation of a pharmacy-led transitions-of-care (TOC) program are reported.

Methods: A quasi-experimental case-control study was conducted to assess the impact of a TOC program including medication history-taking and reconciliation services, inpatient and discharge education, and 72-hour and 30-day postdischarge phone follow-up. Hospital and emergency room (ER) readmission rates were compared in cohorts of oncology patients admitted to a large teaching hospital during specified periods before TOC program implementation (the standard-of-care [SOC] group) or after program implementation (the TOC group).

Implementation and evaluation of a gravimetric i.v. workflow software system in an oncology ambulatory care pharmacy.

Purpose: The implementation and evaluation of a gravimetric i.v. workflow software system in an oncology ambulatory care pharmacy are described.

Age-Stratified Treatment Response Rates in Hospitalized Patients with Clostridium difficile Infection Treated with Metronidazole.

Consensus on the optimal treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is rapidly changing. Treatment with metronidazole has been associated with increased clinical failure rates; however, the reasons for this are unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess age-related treatment response rates in hospitalized patients with CDI treated with metronidazole.

Dispensing inhalers to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on hospital discharge: Effects on prescription filling and readmission.

Purpose: The effects of dispensing inhalers to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on hospital discharge were evaluated.

Methods: Data were collected in 2011-12 for patients with COPD who had hospital orders for the study inhalers (preintervention group) and after implementation of the multidose medication dispensing on discharge (MMDD) service (2013-14) (postintervention group). The primary objective of this study was to assess inhaler adherence and readmission rates before and after MMDD implementation.

Expansion of clinical pharmacy through increased use of outpatient pharmacists for anticoagulation services.

Purpose: The expansion of clinical pharmacy services through increased use of outpatient pharmacists for anticoagulation services is described.

Summary: Due to the high demand for clinical pharmacist services by patients and medical staff at Harris Health System in Houston, Texas, and the strict budgetary restrictions to improve the quality of care through cost-neutral services, a new telephone anticoagulation monitoring service, provided by clinical pharmacists, was established at four of the busiest anticoagulation ambulatory care centers within the system. One clinical staff pharmacist was trained in each of the four clinics by a clinical pharmacy specialist.