Impact of a Clinical Pharmacist-Led, Artificial Intelligence-Supported Medication Adherence Program on Medication Adherence Performance, Chronic Disease Control Measures, and Cost Savings.

Background: Chronic diseases are the leading cause of disability and death in the United States. Clinical pharmacists have been shown to optimize health outcomes and reduce healthcare expenditures in patients with chronic diseases through improving medication adherence.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate a pharmacist-led, artificial intelligence-supported medication adherence program on medication adherence, select disease control measures, and healthcare expenditures.

Effects of fortified eggs and time-restricted eating on cardiometabolic health: The prosperity trial.

Background: Given the increasing interest in dietary interventions to improve cardiovascular health, this trial assessed the impact of fortified eggs (FE) versus nonegg supplemented diet and time-restricted eating (TRE) versus usual care diet on cardiovascular biomarkers.

Methods: The study was a unblinded, 2-by-2 factorial design, which randomized patients, with either a prior cardiovascular event or 2 cardiovascular risk factors, to FE or a nonegg supplemented diet and TRE or usual care diet. Patients randomized to FE were instructed to consume at least 12 FE/week (with eggs provided); those on a nonegg supplemented diet restricted egg consumption to <2 eggs/week.

Comparison of the impact of a system tele-antimicrobial stewardship program on the conversion of intravenous-to-oral antimicrobials in community hospitals.

Objectives: Evaluate system-wide antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) update impact on intravenous (IV)-to-oral (PO) antimicrobial conversion in select community hospitals through pre- and postimplementation trend analysis.

Methods: Retrospective study across seven hospitals: region one (four hospitals, 827 beds) with tele-ASP managed by infectious diseases (ID)-trained pharmacists and region two (three hospitals, 498 beds) without. Data were collected pre- (April 2022-September 2022) and postimplementation (April 2023-September 2023) on nine antimicrobials for the IV to PO days of therapy (DOTs).

Real-World Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes with Daptomycin Use in Pediatric Patients: A Retrospective Case Series.

Introduction: Daptomycin (DAP) is a cyclic lipopeptide that exhibits potent in vitro activity against many drug-resistant gram-positive organisms, including methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Despite substantial reports evaluating the clinical outcomes of DAP within the adult population, real-world data are lacking in children. The primary goal of this evaluation was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of DAP use in pediatric patients across a wide range of infections.

One and Done? An Evaluation of the Clinical Outcomes of Single- and Multi-Dose Dalbavancin Use in the Pediatric Population.

is a leading cause of invasive bacterial infections in the pediatric population. In general, data surrounding the use of newly approved antimicrobials within children are lacking. Dalbavancin is a long-acting lipoglycopeptide that shows promise for off-label use in adults given its unique pharmacokinetics and in vitro potency against common Gram-positive isolates; however, evidence to supports its use in children is limited.

What Are Doctors For? A Call for Compassion-Based Metrics as a Measure of Physician Value.

Modern measures of physician value are couched in terms of productivity, volume, finance, outcomes, cure rates, and acquisition of an increasingly vast knowledge base. This inherently feeds burnout and imposter syndrome as physicians experience an inability to measure up to unrealistic standards set externally and perceived internally. Ancient and modern wisdom suggests that where populations fail to flourish, at root is a failure to grasp a vision or true purpose.

Managing Grief for Pharmacy Leaders.

Grief is everywhere and affects individuals and teams in many different ways. The negative effects may not only be felt by the individual, but they can disrupt a team or an entire organization. While grief is common, understanding how to interact with others who are grieving is not.

Trends in incidence and clinical outcome of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction in patients with amyloidosis in the United States, 2010-2020.

Study Objective: To assess temporal changes in clinical profile and in-hospital outcome of patients with amyloidosis presenting with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, NSTEMI.

Design/setting: We conducted a retrospective observational study using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2020.

Main Outcomes: Primary outcome of interest was trend in adjusted in-hospital mortality in patients with amyloidosis presenting with NSTEMI from 2010 to 2020.

Updates in pulmonary drug-resistant tuberculosis pharmacotherapy: A focus on BPaL and BPaLM.

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern and contributes to high morbidity and mortality. New evidence supports the use of shorter duration, all-oral regimens, which represent an encouraging treatment strategy for drug-resistant TB. As a result, the landscape of drug-resistant TB pharmacotherapy has drastically evolved regarding treatment principles and preferred agents.

Comparison of Outcomes in Neonates Receiving Cefepime or Ceftazidime.

Objectives: Cefepime and ceftazidime are alternatives to cefotaxime for management of Gram-negative infections in neonates. The objective was to evaluate neonatal outcomes when receiving cefepime or ceftazidime.

Methods: This was a single center, retrospective analysis of neonates exposed to at least 24 hours of cefepime or ceftazidime between June 1, 2018, and June 1, 2021.

Successful Eradication of a Highly Resistant Elizabethkingia anophelis Species in a Premature Neonate With Bacteremia and Meningitis.

Elizabethkingia anophelis is a Gram-negative bacillus that can exhibit highly resistant phenotypes against most antibiotics with evidence of efficacy and safety in the neonatal population. Given the limited antimicrobial options, clinicians may be forced into challenging treatment scenarios when faced with central nervous system infections in premature neonates caused by E. anophelis .

Exploring Environmental Factors Contributing to Fluid Loss in Diapers Placed in Neonatal Incubators.

Purpose: Assessing fluid output for infants in the neonatal intensive care unit is essential to understanding fluid and electrolyte balance. Wet diaper weights are used as standard practice to quantify fluid output; yet, diaper changes are intrusive and physiologically distressing. Less frequent diaper changes may have physiologic benefits but could alter diaper weights following extended intervals.

A social network analysis of interorganisational collaboration: Efforts to improve social connectedness.

The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged public health practitioners and clinicians at multiple levels to intentionally consider the impact of social isolation on health outcomes. Many community-based programmes design interventions to address tangible challenges within the social determinants of health, such as asset insecurity or food insecurity, to address health inequities. The growing need to address social isolation within marginalised communities also requires organisations to collaborate and create community partnerships that strengthen their own social integration within the community.

Radiologists' Diagnostic Performance in Differentiation of Rickets and Classic Metaphyseal Lesions on Radiographs: A Multicenter Study.

Despite evidence supporting the specificity of classic metaphyseal lesions (CML) for the diagnosis of child abuse, some medicolegal practitioners claim that CML result from rickets rather than trauma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate radiologists' diagnostic performance in differentiating rickets and CML on radiographs. This retrospective seven-center study included children younger than 2 years who underwent knee radiography from January 2007 to December 2018 and who had either rickets (25-hydroxyvitamin D level < 20 ng/mL and abnormal knee radiographs) or knee CML and a diagnosis of child abuse from a child abuse pediatrician.

Perceptions of a virtual interview process for pharmacy residents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multisite survey of residency candidates, preceptors, and residency program directors.

Purpose: To describe the perceptions of residency candidates, residency practitioners (current residents and preceptors), and residency program directors (RPDs) regarding a virtual interview process for pharmacy residency programs across multiple institutions.

Methods: In May 2021, an anonymous web-based questionnaire characterizing perceptions of the virtual interview process used during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was distributed to residency candidates, residency practitioners, and RPDs across 13 institutions. Quantitative responses measured on a 5-point Likert scale were summarized with descriptive statistics, and open-ended questions were analyzed using thematic qualitative methods.

Clinical utility of negative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal surveillance swabs in skin and skin structure infections.

Background: Negative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal swabs have a high negative predictive value of approximately 99% in respiratory infections. There is, however, a lack of data evaluating its use beyond respiratory infections.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis to determine the clinical utility of MRSA swabs for identifying MRSA-associated skin and skin structure infections (SSSIs) and the potential effects on antimicrobial stewardship efforts.

A Baker's Dozen of Top Antimicrobial Stewardship Intervention Publications in 2020.

The number of articles related to antimicrobial stewardship published each year has increased significantly over the last decade. Keeping up with the literature, particularly the most innovative, well-designed, or applicable to one's own practice area, can be challenging. The Southeastern Research Group Endeavor (SERGE-45) network reviewed antimicrobial stewardship-related, peer-reviewed literature from 2020 that detailed actionable interventions.

Role of Guideline Directed Medical Therapy Doses and Optimization in Patients Hospitalized With Decompensated Systolic Heart Failure.

Despite significant advances in evidence-based treatments for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the use of guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) at recommended doses remains suboptimal. We examine the usage and modification of inpatient GDMT and its effect on outcomes in patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute on chronic HFrEF between 2013 and 2018. Overall use and modification of GDMT, which included heart failure appropriate beta-blockers (BB), renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) and aldosterone blockers (MRA) during the hospitalization were collected.

Patient Experiences, Satisfaction, and Expectations with Current Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treatment: Results of the SLE-UPDATE Survey.

Objectives: To provide information on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients' experiences, satisfaction, and expectations with treatments and examine the association between treatment satisfaction and patient-reported outcomes (PRO).

Methods: A cross-sectional, non-interventional, online survey of US adult patients with SLE was conducted in 2019. The survey consisted of 104 questions about SLE and the following PRO instruments: LupusPRO™, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) Fatigue, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI), an 11-point Worst Pain Numerical Rating scale (NRS), and an 11-point Worst Joint Pain NRS.

Characterization of inpatient care for patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital with a home opioid prescription.

Introduction: Patients with mental illness are particularly at risk for OUD, and due to this higher risk, providers may be more inclined to withhold their home opioids when they are admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Patients whose home opioids are continued or withheld during admission may be treated differently with respect to pain control, orders for nonopioid adjunctive pain agents, orders for intramuscular as-needed medications, orders for seclusion and/or restraints, and outpatient referrals for OUD treatment. The objective of this retrospective pilot study was to characterize inpatient care for these 2 patient populations.

Impact of holding home stimulant(s) on agitation in a child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric population.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the rates of agitation-related interventions associated with initial holding versus continuation of home stimulant(s) in a child and adolescent population at the time of admission to an inpatient psychiatric facility.

Methods: This retrospective chart review included patients less than 18 years of age who were admitted to an academic medical center between July 1, 2017, and July 1, 2018. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those continued on their home stimulant(s) and those who had them held.

Hair and skin predict cardiomyopathies: Carvajal and erythrokeratodermia cardiomyopathy syndromes.

Carvajal and erythrokeratodermia cardiomyopathy syndromes (EKC) are rare, inherited cardiocutaneous disorders with potentially fatal consequences in young children. Some patients display features of congestive heart failure and rapidly deteriorate; others exhibit no evident warning signs until sudden death reveals underlying heart disease. We present two patients to illustrate the characteristic hair, skin, teeth, and nail abnormalities, which-especially when distinct from that of other family members-should prompt cardiac evaluation and genetic analysis.

Jumonji domain containing 1C (JMJD1C) sequence variants in seven patients with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability and seizures.

The Jumonji domain containing 1C (JMJD1C) gene encodes the Jumonji domain-containing protein 1C (JMJD1C) and is a member of the jmJC domain-containing protein family involved in histone demethylation that is expressed in the brain. We report seven, unrelated patients with developmental delays or intellectual disability and heterozygous, de novo sequence variants in JMJD1C. All patients had developmental delays, but there were no consistent additional findings.

Operational Communications: Adapting a Hospital Daily Check-In (DCI) for Expanded Use During Emergency Events.

Low-frequency, high-acuity emergency events can and do occur within health care settings. Having a strong sense of daily situational and operational awareness is the first step in responding to any emergency event. To maintain high reliability, hospital leaders and staff must understand the full impact to the organization as the emergency event evolves.