Effectiveness of an Aerosol Inhalation Monitor in an Ambulatory Primary Care Pharmacy Clinic.

Poor inhaler technique can worsen respiratory disease. An Aerosol Inhalation Monitor (AIM) may provide insight into a patient's capability of utilizing inhaled medications. The purpose of this quality assessment was to determine if the addition of the Vitalograph AIM device by ambulatory care pharmacists within an outpatient primary care clinic improves patient's disease control through changes in pharmacotherapy.

Association between nurses' personal, professional and work characteristics, and engagement in hospital-based clinical research.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the associations between demographic, professional and other personal nurse characteristics, social support factors and comfort in conducting research with nurses' level of active participation in clinical research.

Design: A prospective, cross-sectional, correlational design was used.

Methods: Clinical nurses working in a multihospital healthcare system were recruited by email to complete an anonymous survey that used multiple valid and reliable scales to assess demographic and professional work characteristics, curiosity, grit, locus of control, perceived social support (for research activities), comfort in conducting research, and level of being research-active.

Effect of a Medication Disposal Pouch versus Usual Care on Post Discharge Disposal of Unused Opioids: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: To determine frequency of disposal of unused opioids after surgical procedures based on medication disposal pouch use or usual care, and patient factors associated with disposal.

Design: Two-group experimental design and convenience sample.

Methods: Same-day surgery adults who received opioid orders were randomized to usual care or usual care plus a medication disposal pouch for opioid disposal.

Simulation Versus Written Fall Prevention Education in Older Hospitalized Adults: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Using a randomized controlled, non-blinded, two-group design, differences in fall risk assessment, post-discharge sustainable fall risk changes, fall events and re-hospitalization were examined in 77 older adults who received a simulation ( = 36) or written ( = 41) education intervention. Between-group differences and changes in pre- versus post-fall risk assessment scores were examined using Pearson's chi-square, Wilcoxon rank sum or Fisher's exact tests (categorical variables) and two-sample -tests (continuous variables). There were no statistically significant differences between groups in demographic characteristics.

Pharmacist Hypertension Management Quality Review at an Ambulatory Care Clinic.

A reduction of 10 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly decreases the risk of major cardiovascular disease events. Pharmacists' management of blood pressure may assist with this reduction. Assess the impact of pharmacist management of hypertension via a collaborative practice agreement with physicians in an ambulatory care clinic.

Mothers' Decision Making Concerning Safe Sleep for Preterm Infants: What Are the Influencing Factors?

Background: Parental decisions regarding infant sleep practices vary widely, resulting in a lack of adherence to the American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep recommendations (SSR) and consequently an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Preterm infants are among those at a highest risk for SIDS, yet few studies focus on parental decision-making surrounding sleep practices for preterm infants.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing decisions concerning infant sleep practices of mothers of preterm infants.

Implementation of a Pharmacist Monitoring Process for Patients on QTc Prolonging Antibiotics: A Pilot Study.

The purpose of this pilot study was to implement a pharmacist monitoring process for 4 antimicrobials; azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and fluconazole. This pilot study was a patient safety initiative to screen patients and engage providers about therapies at risk for QT prolongation. A concurrent chart review was performed at a single center from January 6, to February 22, 2020, of adult patients ≥ 18 years of age initiated on azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and fluconazole.

OB Simulation During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Conducting simulations in the hospital setting has been challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic due to safety restrictions to minimize risk of viral transmission and due to perinatal health care workers, such as nurses, midwives, and obstetricians needed in direct care, with little to no time for educational activities. Our guest columnist, Dr. DiCioccio, a perinatal nursing professional development specialist, covers alternatives to in-person OB simulation that are designed to meet The Joint Commission standards for maternal safety.

Integration and Standardization of Clinical Nurse Specialists in a Multihospital System: Exemplars in Practice.

Purposes/objectives: In 2013, our multihospital system began the process to integrate and standardize clinical nurse specialist (CNS) practice. The goal was to standardize work and to increase collaboration as part of one system.

Description Of The Project/program: An overall job description was established to provide a framework inclusive of the broad areas of practice.

The Impact of Face-to-Face Pharmacist Transitional Care Management Visits on Medication-Related Problems.

Studies are needed to evaluate medication-related problems (MRPs) to assess the effect of a pharmacist on managing medications postdischarge. To assess the ability of pharmacist-led medication review and reconciliation to reduce the number of MRPs found in transitional care medicine (TCM) visits, leading to medication optimization. This study involved a retrospective chart review of standard TCM procedure at a family/internal medicine clinic and a prospective, team-based TCM visit in the same clinic.

Use of a Coordinated Social Media Strategy to Improve Dissemination of Research and Collect Solutions Related to Workforce Gender Equity.

To increase awareness, search for solutions, and drive change, disparity-related research needs to be strategically disseminated. This study aimed to quantify whether a social media strategy could: (1) amplify dissemination of gender equity-related articles and (2) collect proposed solutions to gender equity issues. In April 2018, eight published journal articles covering separate gender equity issues were presented in a 1-hour Twitter chat hosted by Physician's Weekly.

Factors associated with inter-arm blood pressure differences in patients admitted to critical care units.

Background: Experts recommend obtaining one-time dual- (inter)-arm blood pressure (BP) measurements to predict cardiovascular morbidity risk.

Objectives: To determine differences in inter-arm systolic (S)/diastolic (D) BPs obtained simultaneously and sequentially and examine associations between patient factors and clinical outcomes and inter-arm BP differences.

Method: A comparative study of adults treated in intensive care; multivariable logistic models were created to determine the extent that inter-arm BP differences predicted outcomes.

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries: The significance of the advanced practice registered nurse's role in a community hospital.

Background And Purpose: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) continue to be a persistent problem in the acute care arena. The purpose of this retrospective quality improvement study was to examine if the introduction of nurse practitioners (NPs), as wound care consultants (WCCs), without other interventions, impacted the HAPI rates in a community hospital.

Methods: A retrospective, comparison design was used; 48 months of HAPI data (May 2010-2014) reported on the monthly National Database for Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) survey was abstracted from hospital records.

Validation of Predictors of Fall Events in Hospitalized Patients With Cancer.

Background: A seven-item cancer-specific fall risk tool (Cleveland Clinic Capone-Albert [CC-CA] Fall Risk Score) was shown to have a strong concordance index for predicting falls; however, validation of the model is needed.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to validate that the CC-CA Fall Risk Score, made up of six factors, predicts falls in patients with cancer and to determine if the CC-CA Fall Risk Score performs better than the Morse Fall Tool.

Methods: Using a prospective, comparative methodology, data were collected from electronic health records of patients hospitalized for cancer care in four hospitals.

Effect of Prophylactic Extended-Infusion Carboplatin on Incidence of Hypersensitivity Reactions in Patients with Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Peritoneal Carcinomas.

Study Objective: To determine whether extended-infusion carboplatin, initiated at approximately the eighth cumulative carboplatin cycle and prior to development of carboplatin hypersensitivity, reduces the incidence of carboplatin hypersensitivity reactions in patients with ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer.

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Large integrated health system.

Hospital nurses' comfort in and frequency of delivering heart failure self-care education.

Background: Nurses are expected to deliver pre-discharge heart failure education in 8 content areas: what heart failure means, medications, diet, activity, weight monitoring, fluid restriction, signs/symptoms of worsening condition and signs/symptoms of fluid overload.

Aims: To examine nurses' comfort in and frequency of delivering heart failure education to hospitalized patients.

Methods: A multicenter, descriptive, correlational design and questionnaire methods were used.