Exploring Transitional Care: Evidence-Based Strategies for Improving Provider Communication and Reducing Readmissions.

The coordination of care as patients move from one health care setting to another is crucial to treatment, but breakdowns in the process lead to poor transitions, fragmented care, hospital readmissions, and increased costs. This article discusses evidence-based strategies for improving communication and reducing readmissions.

Pharmacologic Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive, autoimmune inflammatory disease of the joints, which can result in permanent cartilage and bone damage. Although the exact cause of RA is unknown, there are many risk factors that have been associated with RA. When RA occurs, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy synovial and connective tissue. Available treatment options work to reduce inflammation or slow the disease progression. The American College of Rheumatology published guidelines for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in 2015, with an update expected in late 2019/early 2020. Nonpharmacologic therapy for patients with RA includes rest, occupational and physical therapy, and weight reduction and use of assistive devices, as necessary. Pharmacologic options include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, antitumor necrosis factor agents, and interleukin receptor antagonists.

Empagliflozin: a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor for treatment of type 2 diabetes.

PURPOSE: The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, adverse effects, dosage and administration, and drug-drug interactions of empagliflozin are reviewed. SUMMARY: Empagliflozin is a direct inhibitor of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), which acts to lower the renal threshold and increase urinary glucose excretion. SGLT2 is found in the proximal tubules of the kidneys and reabsorbs about 90% of the filtered glucose. Because the mechanism of action of empagliflozin is not insulin dependent or insulin sensitive, it may be used in patients at different stages of diabetes with nonfunctional or impaired pancreatic ß cells. Furthermore, empagliflozin can be used with other antidiabetic drugs due to its lack of any additive hypoglycemic effects. Long-term efficacy studies revealed significant reductions with empagliflozin in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values at week 78 compared with placebo. Secondary endpoints in clinical trials showed improvements in lowering blood pressure and reductions in body weight. The risk:benefit ratio must be assessed for empagliflozin as the safety profile includes an increase in urinary and genital infections. CONCLUSION: Empagliflozin has shown efficacy in lowering HbA1c and blood glucose levels both as monotherapy and as an add-on to existing therapy. Despite the drug's promising outlook, empagliflozin also leads to common but serious adverse events not seen with other classes of antihyperglycemic agents. Considering the current data on its efficacy and its safety profile, empagliflozin can be used as a second- or third-line agent in treating diabetes.

Evaluating the Potential Impact of Pharmacist Counseling on Medication Adherence Using a Simulation Activity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of counseling in a simulated medication adherence activity. DESIGN: Students were randomized into 2 groups: patient medication monograph only (PMMO) and patient medication monograph with counseling (PMMC). Both groups received a fictitious medication and monograph. Additionally, the PMMC group received brief counseling. A multiple-choice, paper-based survey instrument was used to evaluate simulated food-drug interactions, adherence, and perceptions regarding the activity's value and impact on understanding adherence challenges. ASSESSMENT: Ninety-two students participated (PMMC, n=45; and PMMO, n=47). Overall, a significantly higher incidence of simulated food-drug interactions occurred in the PMMO group (30%) vs the PMMC group (22%) (p=0.02). Doses taken without simulated food-drug interactions were comparable: 46.2% (PMCC) vs 41.9% (PMMO) (p=0.19). The average number of missed doses were 3.2 (PMMC) vs 2.8 (PMMO) (p=0.55). Approximately 70% of the students found the activity to be valuable and 89% believed it helped them better understand adherence challenges. CONCLUSION: This activity demonstrated the challenges and important role of counseling in medication adherence.