Impact of Pharmacist Transitions of Care on 30-Day Readmissions Within a Primary Care-Based Accountable Care Organization.

Previous studies in the ambulatory care setting have shown inconsistent results in regard to, or with respect to pharmacist telephonic transitions of care (TOC) encounters and reduction in 30-day readmission rates. No studies that have been completed within an accountable care organization (ACO) evaluating the impact of telephonic TOC encounters performed by a pharmacist have been identified. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of clinical pharmacy telephonic TOC encounters on readmission rates within a primary care-based ACO.

Real-World Analysis of Long-Acting and NPH-Containing Insulins on Glycemic Control.

Affordability of insulin products has become a concern in the past several years as the average price of various insulin products has increased. While awaiting legislation at the federal level that would address issues leading to high insulin costs, providers may have shifted prescribing practices to prescribe the lowest-priced insulin products to achieve patients' treatment goals. To compare the prevalence of hypoglycemic events between patients receiving lower-cost neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH)-containing human insulins and higher-cost long-acting insulin analogs in Medicare Part D enrollees within a management services organization, as well as assessing glycemic control and changes in body mass index.

Change in Proportion of Days Covered for Statins Following Implementation of a Pharmacy Student Adherence Outreach Program.

Background: Nearly half of statin users discontinue therapy within the first year of treatment. Nonadherence to statin therapy may lead to an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and, thus, higher costs due to hospitalizations. Value-based care models, such as accountable care organizations (ACO), are measured on adherence rates to statins through proportion of days covered (PDC).

Incidence of Acute Kidney Injury in Intermittent Versus Continuous Infusion of Polymyxin B in Hospitalized Patients.

Studies evaluating the risk of developing acute kidney injury (AKI) with different dosing strategies of polymyxin B are limited. To compare the incidence of AKI in patients treated with intermittent versus continuous polymyxin B therapy. Secondary objectives included time to onset of AKI, hospital length of stay (LOS), and all-cause hospital mortality.

Patient Perceptions of Text Messaging to Improve Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence: A Qualitative Study of Patients in a Ryan White Clinic.

Evidence on the use of short message service (SMS) to improve medication adherence in people living with HIV (PLHIV) is mounting, yet qualitative research on patient perceptions regarding SMS content and utility for HIV/AIDS remains nascent. To explore the experience of receiving medication reminders via SMS among PLHIV, 45 uninsured and underinsured PLHIV nested within the intervention arm of a larger study received daily, 1-way SMS adherence reminders. Qualitative data were collected by face-to-face, structured interview and were analyzed using conventional content analysis methods.

Acclimating to the Increase in Statin Use in Accountable Care Organizations Based on Changes in Quality Measures: A Report from the Accountable Care Organization Research Network, Services, and Education.

Unlabelled: The Accountable Care Organization Research Network, Services, and Education (ACORN SEED), founded by faculty members at Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy, is a group of pharmacists that provides unique pharmacy services to accountable care organizations (ACOs), patient-centered medical homes, and management services organizations to help maximize shared savings and target medication-related issues, while promoting the pharmacy profession and unique learning experiences for pharmacy students within these settings. In this report, ACORN SEED investigators provide a brief overview of the ACO benchmark measures in relation to statin use. Historically, hyperlipidemia treatment was tailored to meet certain cholesterol levels as a surrogate marker in preventing major adverse cardiovascular events, specifically a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level less than 100 mg/dL as a target goal.

Impact of a Pharmacist-Managed Heart Failure Postdischarge (Bridge) Clinic for Veterans.

Background: Hospitals that provide early postdischarge follow-up after heart failure (HF) hospitalization tend to have lower rates of readmission. However, HF postdischarge (bridge) clinics have not been extensively evaluated.

Objective: To assess the impact of a pharmacist-managed HF bridge clinic in a veteran population.

Off-Label Prescribing for Children with Migraines in U.S. Ambulatory Care Settings.

Background: Migraines, Which Affect About 10% Of School-Age Children In The United States, Can Significantly Impair Quality Of Life. Despite Potential Disability, Many Children Do Not Receive Treatment Or Prophylaxis, Since Medications Specifically Approved For Children Are Significantly Less Than For Adults. There Is Also Controversy Surrounding The Apparent Widespread Practice Of Prescribing Off-Label Medications For Children With Migraines.

The Treatment of Primary Orthostatic Hypotension.

Objective: To review the efficacy and safety of pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies used to treat primary orthostatic hypotension (OH).

Data Sources: A literature review using PubMed and MEDLINE databases searching hypotension, non-pharmacological therapy, midodrine, droxidopa, pyridostigmine, fludrocortisone, atomoxetine, pseudoephedrine, and octreotide was performed.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: Randomized or observational studies, cohorts, case series, or case reports written in English between January 1970 and November 2016 that assessed primary OH treatment in adult patients were evaluated.

Assessing the Effect of Pharmacist Care on Diabetes-Related Outcomes in a Rural Outpatient Clinic: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

Background: The care of diabetic patients in rural areas is complicated by factors such as poor health literacy, cultural barriers, and primary care provider (PCP) shortages. Integrating pharmacist care in diabetes management in these settings may increase access to care and improve patient outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate differences in diabetes-related outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) managed by a pharmacist diabetes clinic compared with patients only managed by PCPs in a rural family medicine clinic.