Environmentally sustainable opportunities for health systems: metered-dose inhaler prescribing, dispensing, usage, and waste at The Ottawa Hospital.

BACKGROUND: The carbon footprint of Canada's health sector is among the worst in the world, responsible for 4·6% of Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions. A quarter of emissions from Canada's health sector are linked to pharmaceuticals, including metered dose inhalers (MDIs). MDIs use propellants, such as hydrofluorocarbons, which act as greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the health-care sector's overall carbon footprint. The objective of this study was to describe MDI prescribing, dispensing, usage, and waste patterns at The Ottawa Hospital (Ottawa, ON, Canada). Secondary objectives included estimating the monetary and carbon cost of current practice and the potential benefits and costs of switching to the more environmentally friendly dry powder inhalers. METHODS: In this retrospective point-prevalence cohort study, we identified 100 consecutive patients from medical and surgical services at both campuses of The Ottawa Hospital from health records discharged from medical and surgical services and who were prescribed at least one MDI during their admission. Medical records were reviewed and data related to demographics, MDI prescribing, dispensing, usage, and wastage were collected using a pre-piloted electronic case report form. Financial cost was calculated using local costing estimates and carbon cost was calculated using published estimates. FINDINGS: Between Jan 1, 2023, and June 1, 2023, we collected data for 100 eligible patients, of whom 60 (60%) were female and 90 (90%) were admitted to hospital medicine wards (10% from surgical wards). The median length of stay was 7 (range 1-47) days. The most common inpatient diagnoses were respiratory tract infections in 43 (43%) of 100 patients and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations in 28 (28%) of 100 patients. The median number of MDIs prescribed during a patients stay was two (range one to 15) and the median number dispensed was one (range one to seven). For formulary options of MDIs, of the 200 (range 30-1400) actuations dispensed per patient, 8% were used, representing 92% wastage. During the audit, 315 MDIs were dispensed in total, of which 97 were not used at all. INTERPRETATION: MDIs are significant contributors to the carbon footprint attributed to pharmaceutical use in hospitals. This study suggests that 90% of MDI doses are wasted, showing that there is substantial room for improvement. FUNDING: None.

Emotional Impact of Medication-Related Patient Safety Incidents on Canadian Hospital Pharmacists: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: Patient safety incidents are the third leading cause of death in Canada. These occurrences have negative effects on patients and on the well-being of health care professionals. They also lead to financial burdens on the health care system. Several organizations focus on minimizing patient safety incidents; however, an area requiring additional research is evaluating the emotional impact of medication-related patient safety incidents (MRPSIs) on Canadian hospital pharmacists. An MRPSI is a preventable, unintended outcome resulting from medication management rather than an underlying disease. The consequences may be no harm, temporary harm, prolonged hospital stay, disability, or death. Objectives: To describe the psychological burden on pharmacists after occurrence of an MRPSI and to identify supportive strategies. Methods: This mixed-methods study involved a voluntary survey of hospital pharmacists and structured individual interviews. Survey respondents scored their emotional distress on the Impact of Event Scale (IES), a validated self-reporting tool used to assess the impact of traumatic life events. Interviewees' responses were analyzed qualitatively. Results: Of the 128 pharmacists who had experienced an MRPSI and submitted a complete survey response, 105 (82%) had a score above 8 on the IES, indicating that the MRPSI had an important impact. Commonly reported factors contributing to MRPSIs were heavy workload, interruptions, and inexperience. The most desired support strategies included talking to a colleague, compassionate notification of the event through management, and involvement in team debriefs. Conclusions: The emotional impact of MRPSIs as reported by Canadian hospital pharmacists is significant. Most participants felt that increased support is needed to overcome emotional burdens related to MRPSIs.

Contexte: Les incidents liés à la sécurité des patients sont la troisième cause de décès au Canada. Ces événements ont des effets négatifs sur les patients et sur le bien-être des professionnels de la santé. Ils entraînent en outre des charges financières pour le système de santé. Plusieurs organismes se concentrent sur la réduction de ces incidents; cependant, l'évaluation de l'effet émotionnel des incidents liés à la sécurité des patients découlant des médicaments (ci-après « les incidents ¼) sur les pharmaciens hospitaliers canadiens est un domaine qui nécessite des recherches supplémentaires. Un incident est un résultat évitable et imprévu résultant de la gestion des médicaments plutôt que d'une maladie sous-jacente. Les conséquences peuvent être l'absence de préjudice, un préjudice temporaire, un séjour prolongé à l'hôpital, une invalidité ou la mort. Objectifs: Décrire le fardeau psychologique des pharmaciens dans un contexte où un incident s'est produit et identifier des stratégies d'accompagnement. Méthodes: Cette étude à méthodes mixtes comportait une enquête volontaire auprès des pharmaciens hospitaliers et des entretiens individuels structurés. Les répondants au sondage ont noté leur détresse émotionnelle sur l'échelle de l'effet des événements (IES [Impact of Event Scale]), un outil d'auto-déclaration validé utilisé pour évaluer l'impact des événements traumatisants de la vie. Les réponses des personnes interrogées ont été analysées qualitativement. Résultats: Sur les 128 pharmaciens qui avaient fait l'expérience d'un incident et qui avaient soumis une réponse complète à l'enquête, 105 (82 %) avaient un score supérieur à 8 sur l'IES. Ce score indique que l'incident avait eu un impact important. Les facteurs couramment signalés contribuant aux incidents étaient la lourde charge de travail, les interruptions et l'inexpérience. Les stratégies de soutien les plus recherchées comprenaient : la discussion avec un collègue; la notification compatissante de l'événement par l'intermédiaire de la direction; et la participation aux comptes rendus de l'équipe. Conclusions: L'impact émotionnel des incidents, tel que rapporté par les pharmaciens hospitaliers canadiens, est important. La plupart des participants ont estimé qu'un soutien accru est nécessaire pour surmonter le fardeau émotionnel associé.

A comparative analysis of recommendations provided by clinical practice guideline for use of natural health products in the treatment of menopause-related vasomotor symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: To systematically review Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) for the management of menopause-related vasomotor symptoms (VMS) to 1) identify those that include Natural Health Products (NHPs); 2) identify which NHPs were included and the evidence supporting the recommendation for the place in therapy; and 3) compare methodological quality of the CPGs. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, BMJ Best Practice, DynaMed Plus and websites of gynecological and menopausal societies were searched (Jan 2000-Nov 2018). Records were screened to identify CPGs that were published in English, since 2000 and were for use in North America. CPGs were reviewed for inclusion of NHPs. Data regarding NHPs (evidence, recommendation) were extracted and analyzed. CPGs were critically appraised using the AGREE II tool. RESULTS: Five of six CPGs that met general inclusion criteria included NHPs. Black cohosh, isoflavones, soy food/extracts and phytoestrogens were included in all five CPGs. Comparative analysis of recommendations and level of supporting evidence revealed differences. All CPGs included recommendations regarding the use of NHPs in general, although recommendations differed. Four of five CPGs made recommendations for unique NHPs, however, recommendations differed. Using the AGREE II tool, CPGs scored well on domains for purpose and clarity. Lack of detailed description of methodology and author expertise affected scores in other domains. CONCLUSION: Five CPGs included general recommendations for the role of NHPs in treating VMS, with recommendations ranging from use with caution to not recommended. There were inconsistencies among CPGs regarding NHPs included and what evidence was used in making recommendations.