Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Compliance With Pharmacy Workflow During a Pediatric Oncology Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) Launch.

OBJECTIVE: There is a lack of published literature detailing how computerized physician order entry (CPOE) pharmacy workflow is designed and implemented. The intent of this project was to design, implement, and assess compliance with the pharmacy workflow required for launching CPOE to improve the safety and efficiency of chemotherapy order entry for pediatric patients. METHODS: This process implementation project took place in 2 phases, which included the design and implementation of pharmacy workflow education, and retrospective chart review of patients who received chemotherapy ordered through CPOE. An anonymous survey was also distributed to pharmacy staff, nurses, and physicians, and an assessment of any CPOE-related safety reports was completed. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients received intravenous and/or intrathecal chemotherapy ordered via the CPOE software, Beacon, within the electronic medical record system, Epic, in the first 30 days post-launch across both the inpatient and outpatient settings. Overall compliance with the CPOE workflow for entering chemotherapy plans was 77% and >66% compliance with the order preparation process. Pharmacists provided an average of 1.6 interventions per review. The pharmacy was able to prepare chemotherapy within the allotted institutional time benchmarks in most cases. An overall combined multidisciplinary survey response rate of 30.6% was achieved. Twenty-eight Beacon-related patient safety reports were filed in the first 2 weeks post-launch. CONCLUSIONS: The Beacon launch at this single pediatric institution was successful, and the pharmacy workflow was shown to greatly affect the overall success of the launch of CPOE. The careful prospective design, education, implementation, and retrospective review of the pharmacy workflow is key to process implementation related to chemotherapy CPOE.

Immunization Adherence in Children With Sickle Cell Disease: A Single-Institution Experience.

OBJECTIVES: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends additional immunizations for people with asplenia or functional asplenia, such as children with sickle cell disease. Adherence rate to the recommended immunization schedule for functional asplenia remains low for children with sickle cell disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the immunization adherence for this population at a single institution in Kentucky and to evaluate the use of the Kentucky Immunization Registry (KYIR) by providers. METHODS: A single-center retrospective chart review was conducted for 107 children with sickle cell disease ages 2 through 18 years. Immunization histories were obtained from the hospital EMRs, the sickle cell clinic EMR, the KYIR, and by requesting records from primary care physicians. Each patient was documented as either missing or having complete records in the KYIR. RESULTS: The complete adherence rate to the ACIP-recommended immunization schedule for children with functional asplenia was 6% (6 of 107). Nearly all children were compliant with the Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccination, whereas the adherence rate for the meningococcal and pneumococcal vaccines ranged from 25% to 77%. The lowest immunization rate was observed in children eligible for the meningococcal B vaccine (25%). Only 3 patients had a complete immunization history documented in the KYIR. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to the ACIP-recommended immunization schedule for functionally asplenic patients is poor among children with sickle cell disease included in this study. Quality improvement measures should focus on increasing immunization adherence and improving documentation of immunization records in the KYIR for this patient population.

Impact of a Pharmacist-Led Chemotherapy Education Program on the Knowledge of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses.

OBJECTIVES: Medication errors involving chemotherapy are a serious source of avoidable medical harm that can result in chemotherapy-related adverse drug events. Efforts to reduce errors in the past decade have largely focused on chemotherapy errors at the prescriber level, using computerized or automated technology, but little has been done to ensure chemotherapy is administered accurately at the nursing level. The current study implemented a pharmacist-led, supplemental, institution-specific training program to nursing staff regarding the use of chemotherapy and to address knowledge deficits in newly hired nursing personnel. METHODS: Inpatient pediatric oncology nurses were eligible to participate in a 3-session educational program regarding chemotherapy principles, adverse event management, and supportive care. Pre- and posttests were administered during the sessions to assess baseline and acquired knowledge. An attitudes survey was given to nurses prior to their first session and after the last session to assess the nurse's comfort with administration and management of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Posttest scores following program implementation show a significant increase in baseline knowledge. Scores increased by 14.1% (p < 0.001) overall; they increased 6% (p = 0.266), 22% (p = <0.001), and 16.5% (p = <0.001) after sessions 1, 2, and 3, respectively. All respondents requested additional classes for orientation or continuing education. CONCLUSIONS: A pharmacist-led, educational program significantly improves knowledge of chemotherapy administration and monitoring in pediatric oncology nurses and was well received by participants as an additional training opportunity.

Cytomegalovirus Treatment in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a frequent complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplant in pediatric patients, with significant morbidity and mortality. Antiviral drugs are used as prophylactic, preemptive or therapeutic medicines; however, no uniform guidelines exist for the best strategy to prevent CMV disease. Resistance to standard antiviral therapies can lead to further difficulty in managing CMV disease. Studies for investigational therapies are underway and could provide options for treatment of resistant CMV, while limiting toxicities associated with currently used antiviral therapies.

Characterization of Dronabinol Usage in a Pediatric Oncology Population.

OBJECTIVES: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remains an important side effect associated with administration of chemotherapy in pediatrics. The aim of this study was to retrospectively review dronabinol use in a pediatric cancer center, with the intent of characterizing its use and identifying trends such as age, sex, diagnosis, and chemotherapy that describe where dronabinol is best used as an adjuvant antiemetic. METHODS: Patients receiving dronabinol at Riley Hospital for Children between 2000 and 2010 were identified. Patients eligible for inclusion were those with malignancy ≤18 years old, who received at least 1 dose of dronabinol for CINV during admission. RESULTS: Ninety-five percent of patients received moderate or highly emetogenic chemotherapy. When dronabinol doses were analyzed, 95% of patients received doses that were lower than reference guidelines, 55% received dronabinol as a scheduled medication, and 19% received dronabinol 1 to 3 hours before chemotherapy. Overall, 60% of patients had a defined positive response to dronabinol. Sixty-five percent of patients received repeat courses of dronabinol, and 62% received outpatient prescriptions for dronabinol. CONCLUSIONS: Dronabinol appears to be a viable option as an adjuvant antiemetic in pediatric CINV, but a prospective trial using patients as their own controls is necessary to truly define dronabinol's place in therapy.