Managing a patient with diabetes receiving systemic glucocorticoids.

ABSTRACT: Limited evidence exists for managing patients with diabetes who are taking systemic glucocorticoids. This article discusses the therapeutic recommendations for patients with diabetes who are receiving systemic glucocorticoid therapy.

Evaluation of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV Inhibitor Use in Hospitalized Patients With Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Glycemic control within goal blood glucose (BG) ranges is essential to minimize hospital complications for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Optimal treatment in the non-intensive care unit (ICU) setting includes a basal insulin containing regimen. Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors have minimal hypoglycemia incidence and may be an appropriate bolus insulin replacement in the inpatient setting. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of basal insulin plus DPP-IV inhibitor compared with basal plus bolus insulin in hospitalized patients with T2DM. METHODS: This multicenter cohort study included adult patients with T2DM admitted to the non-ICU setting and prescribed either basal insulin plus DPP-IV inhibitor or basal plus bolus insulin. Propensity-score matching was performed for age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, first BG reading during hospitalization, and hemoglobin A1C (A1C). The primary outcome was the difference in mean daily BG during hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay (LOS), total daily dose (TDD) of insulin, hypoglycemic events, and mean daily BG in patients with an A1C >8%. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients were included in each group. Mean daily BG during hospitalization was lower in the basal insulin plus DPP-IV inhibitor group (199.3 ± 52.5 vs 213.6 ± 45.8 mg/dL; P = 0.04). There was a significant difference in hospital LOS (5 [interquartile range = 3-8] vs 6 [4-11] days; P = 0.02) and short-acting insulin TDD (11.6 ± 9.1 vs 20.5 ± 21.2 units; P < 0.001). No differences were observed in basal insulin TDD and hypoglycemia. There was no difference in mean daily BG in the subgroup analysis of patients with a A1C >8%. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: A significant difference in mean daily BG and hospital LOS was found with a basal insulin plus DPP-IV inhibitor regimen. Use of a DPP-IV inhibitor to replace bolus insulin in hospitalized patients with T2DM should be considered.

The Role of the Pharmacist in Inhaler Selection and Education in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Objective: To review the role of pharmacists in educating and monitoring patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on inhalation technique. Data Sources: A PubMed search (January 2000 to May 2020) was performed using the following keywords and associated medical subject headings: adherence, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/COPD, education, inhaler, pharmacist, and technique. Study Selection and Data Extraction: The search was conducted to identify English language articles highlighting the importance of correct inhaler technique in COPD management and benefits of pharmacist inhaler training such as improved adherence, quality of life (QoL), and disease control. Randomized controlled trials, retrospective studies, observational studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analysis reporting pharmacist training were included. Data Synthesis: This review summarizes that incorrect inhaler use negatively affects treatment outcomes, prognosis, and QoL. Pharmacists are in a unique position to educate and monitor patients with COPD on optimal inhaler technique and an individualized, multifactorial approach to COPD management involving pharmacists could provide cost-effective patient care and improve adherence and minimize inhaler misuse. Several strategies used by pharmacists can optimize patient inhaler use, such as face-to-face technique demonstrations, the "teach-back" method, telemonitoring, instructional videos, or informational leaflets. An individualized action plan involving education and regular monitoring of inhaler use further enhances optimal adherence and disease management. Conclusions: As pharmacists are easily accessible to both patients and health care providers, they are ideally placed to play an important role in the enhancement of education on, and continuous assessment of, optimal inhaler technique, thereby improving adherence, disease control, and QoL.

Evaluation of Basal Insulin Dose Reductions in Hospitalized Patients With Diabetes While Unable to Eat.

Background: The American Diabetes Association guidelines recommend a basal plus correction or basal insulin regimen for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) receiving nothing by mouth (NPO; nil per os) in the non-intensive care unit setting. In the perioperative setting, 60% to 80% of long-acting insulin or half-dose morning insulin NPH is recommended. Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the impact of basal insulin dose reduction for hospitalized patients with insulin-dependent T2DM while NPO. Methods: This retrospective, single-center study evaluated patients admitted to the non-intensive care unit setting. Administration of >50% of home basal insulin was compared with administration of ≤50% of home basal insulin. The primary outcome was the difference in hypoglycemic events (blood glucose [BG] < 70 mg/dL). Secondary outcomes included comparing severe hypoglycemic events (BG < 40 mg/dL), hyperglycemic events (BG > 180 mg/dL), and hospital length of stay (LOS). Results: Two hundred fifty-eight patient encounters were included, of which 85 and 173 patients received ≤50% and >50% of their home basal insulin dose, respectively. There were no significant differences in hypoglycemia (21.2% vs 21.4%; P = .97), severe hypoglycemia (1.2% vs 2.9%; P = .67), and hospital LOS (3 [IQR 2.13-6.74] days vs 4.66 [IQR 2.94-8.17] days; P = .74). Hyperglycemia occurred at a higher rate in patients receiving ≤50% of their home basal insulin dose (97.6% vs 89%; P = .02). Conclusions: No differences were observed in hypoglycemic events between those patients receiving ≤50% and >50% of their home basal insulin.

Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Metformin Use in Hospitalized, Non-Critically Ill Patients.

Background: Contraindications and precautions to metformin have limited inpatient use, and limited evidence exists evaluating metformin in hospitalized patients. Objective: This study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of inpatient metformin use. Methods: This study was an observational, retrospective, cohort study at an academic medical center between June 1, 2016, and May 31, 2018. Hospitalized adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving at least 1 metformin dose were included. The primary endpoint was to identify hospitalized patients using metformin with at least 1 contraindication or precautionary warning against use. Secondary endpoints included assessing metformin efficacy with glycemic control, characterizing adverse outcomes of inpatient metformin, and comparing the efficacy of metformin-containing regimens. Results: Two hundred patients were included. There were 126 incidences of potentially unsafe use identified in 111 patients (55.5%). The most common reasons were age ≥65 years (47%), heart failure diagnosis (7.5%), and metformin within 48 hours of contrast (6%). Metformin was contraindicated in 2 patients (1%) with an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤30 mL/min/1.73 m2. The overall median daily blood glucose was 146 mg/dL (interquartile range [IQR] = 122-181). Patients were divided into 3 groups: metformin monotherapy, metformin plus oral antihyperglycemic therapy, and metformin plus insulin. The median daily blood glucoses were 129 mg/dL (IQR = 110-152), 154 mg/dL (IQR = 133-178), and 174 mg/dL (IQR = 142-203; P < .001), respectively. Two patients (1%) developed acute kidney injury, and no patients developed lactic acidosis. Conclusions: Metformin was associated with goal glycemic levels in hospitalized patients with no adverse outcomes. These results suggest the potential for metformin use in hospitalized, non-critically ill patients.

Systemic Corticosteroid and Antibiotic Use in Hospitalized Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation.

BACKGROUND: Effective inpatient chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation management is critical to appropriately manage health care resources. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines provide recommendations on appropriate systemic corticosteroid and antibiotic use, in select patients, for COPD exacerbation. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of GOLD guideline-recommended systemic corticosteroid and antibiotic therapy in the hospital setting on clinical outcomes in patients with COPD exacerbation. METHODS: This was a noninterventional, retrospective, single-center study. Adults admitted to a non-intensive care unit internal medicine service with documented COPD exacerbation were included. Two analyses were conducted evaluating systemic corticosteroid and antibiotic therapy. RESULTS: A total of 220 patients were included in the systemic corticosteroid cohort. No difference in 30-day readmission rates was demonstrated for the standard (⩽200 mg prednisone equivalents [PEs] for exacerbation course) and high-dose groups (>200 mg PEs; 20.5% vs 13.1%, respectively; P = 0.15). Hospital length of stay (LOS) was significantly shorter for patients prescribed standard-dose therapy (3 days [2-4.5] vs 4 days [2-6]; P < 0.001). A total of 174 patients were included in the antibiotic cohort. For the appropriate and inappropriate antibiotic use groups, no significant differences were observed between 30-day readmission rates (15% vs 18.4%, respectively; P = 0.57) and hospital LOS (4 days [2-5] in both groups; P = 0.97). Conclusion and Relevance: Hospital LOS was shorter for patients prescribed standard-dose systemic corticosteroids; however, no differences in other clinical outcomes were found in either cohort. Use of guideline-recommended systemic corticosteroid and antibiotic therapy is recommended for hospitalized patients with COPD exacerbation.

Evaluation of Bronchodilator Use During Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation Inpatient Admissions.

Background: It is unknown whether the timing of initiation of a long-acting bronchodilator (LABD) during a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation or the method of short-acting bronchodilator (SABD) delivery may aid in improving patient outcomes. Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the impact of bronchodilator management in the hospital setting on clinical outcomes in patients with COPD exacerbation. Methods: This retrospective, single-center study evaluated patients admitted to the non-intensive care unit setting with a COPD exacerbation as defined by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. The primary outcome was difference in 30-day readmission rates for early LABD therapy (<24 hours from hospital admission) versus late/no LABD therapy (>24 hours from hospital admission or not during hospitalization). Secondary objectives included length of stay (LOS) for this group, and 30-day readmission rates and LOS for the SABD via inhaler versus nebulizer groups. Results: Two hundred twenty patients were included. There was no difference in 30-day readmission rate (15.2% vs 18.2%, P = .6) and LOS (median 4 [interquartile range, IQR 3-6]) days for both groups, P = .34) between early versus late/no LABD therapy initiation, respectively. No difference was observed in 30-day readmission rate (16.7% vs 16.6%) and LOS (median 2.5 [IQR 1.1-3.9] days vs median 4 [IQR 2-6] days) between inhaler and nebulizer SABD therapy groups. Conclusions: No difference was observed in 30-day readmission rates or LOS when utilizing early LABD compared with late/no LABD therapy or comparing inhaler and nebulizer SABD delivery methods during COPD exacerbation.

What is the role of triple inhaled therapy in COPD?

Triple inhaled therapy for maintenance of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) consists of an inhaled corticosteroid, long-acting muscarinic antagonist, and long-acting beta2-agonist. Recent clinical studies evaluating triple therapy found a reduction in COPD exacerbations compared with other combination therapies. This article discusses the role of triple therapy in treating patients with COPD.

Characterization of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease prescribing patterns in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third-leading cause of death in the United States. Guideline recommendations for medication therapy include the use of inhaled medications for management of stable COPD. There are limited data available describing prescribing percentages of medications in patients with COPD. AIM: To determine the prescribing percentages of medications for COPD in a national, cross-sectional study. METHODS: This was a national, cross-sectional study using data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) in 2013. Patients were included if they had an International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 9 code for COPD and were greater than 18 years of age. Data describing patient demographics, provider demographics and prescribed medications were collected. Data were analyzed using sample weights to account for the multi-stage sample design. RESULTS: On weighted analysis, 15,821,000 patient visits were included. Patients were predominantly female, greater than 40 years of age and white, non-Hispanic. The most common provider type was primary care provider. At least one COPD medication was prescribed to 64.8% of included patients. Prescription of short-acting bronchodilators was most common in this cohort and observed at a percentage of 42.5%. A long-acting bronchodilator or inhaled corticosteroid was prescribed to 32.3% of included patients. The most common long-acting bronchodilator used was long-acting beta-agonist therapy in 21.3% of patients. CONCLUSION: This study describes patients with COPD from a nationally representative sample. The percentage of maintenance medication prescribing indicates further opportunity for medication optimization in the outpatient setting for patients with COPD.

Role of the Funny Current Inhibitor Ivabradine in Cardiac Pharmacotherapy: A Systematic Review.

The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of ivabradine are reviewed. Ivabradine is an oral medication that directly and selectively inhibits the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic-nucleotide gated funny (If) current in the sinoatrial node resulting in heart rate reduction. It has a plasma elimination half-life of 6 hours and is administered twice daily. Ivabradine is extensively metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4, and its metabolism is affected by inducers and inhibitors of the 3A4 enzyme. Studies in patients with heart failure indicate that ivabradine improves surrogate markers such as exercise tolerance. The results of (1) phase III trial demonstrated ivabradine significantly reduced heart failure hospitalizations but had no effect on mortality. Ivabradine has been extensively evaluated for coronary artery disease wherein (2) large trials was shown to have no mortality benefit. Ivabradine has been associated with improved symptoms in stable chronic angina pectoris. Ivabradine has been evaluated for other cardiovascular conditions including tachycardias of various natures, arrhythmia prevention postcardiac surgery, in acute coronary syndrome, and for heart rate control during coronary computed tomography angiogram. The most common adverse events reported in clinical trials were bradycardia, new-onset atrial fibrillation, and phosphenes. Ivabradine, a novel cardiac medication, has been studied in numerous cardiac conditions. It is only currently approved in the United States to reduce hospitalizations for systolic heart failure. The role of this medication in other conditions has not been fully elucidated.

Role of Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist/Long-Acting ß2-Agonist Therapy in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the available literature regarding the use of long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA)/long-acting ß2 agonists (LABA) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/LABA combination inhaler therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) maintenance therapy management. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE literature search from database inception to February 2017 was conducted using the search terms chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, adrenergic beta-agonist, muscarinic antagonist, and inhaled corticosteroid. References from extracted sources were further searched for any relevant, missed data sources. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All English-language randomized-controlled trials comparing LAMA/LABA and ICS/LABA combination inhaler therapy were evaluated. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 10 randomized controlled trials have reviewed the use of LAMA/LABA compared with ICS/LABA therapy for COPD maintenance therapy. Results of clinical trials that evaluated LAMA/LABA and ICS/LABA maintenance therapy demonstrated superior improvements in pulmonary function tests via spirometry and improved clinical outcomes with LAMA/LABA therapy, specifically reduction in COPD exacerbation rates. The safety of LAMA/LABA combination therapy also is favorable compared with ICS/LABA combination therapy because of the increased infection risk with ICS therapy. CONCLUSIONS: COPD is a disease state with significant morbidity and mortality in the United States and is the third leading cause of death. Long-acting inhalers are recommended for the majority of COPD severities, and combination therapy is typically utilized. LAMA/LABA combination therapy has demonstrated superior improvements in pulmonary function and reduction in COPD exacerbation rates compared with ICS/LABA. LAMA/LABA combination therapy will have a larger future role in COPD maintenance management.

Antithymocyte Globulin Induction Therapy in Liver Transplant: Old Drug, New Uses.

OBJECTIVE: To review the use of rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) induction therapy in liver transplant recipients. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE literature search (inception to March 2016) was conducted using the search terms rabbit antithymocyte globulin, liver transplantation, and induction References from extracted sources were further searched for any relevant, missed data sources. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All English-language randomized and observational studies were included. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 9 studies were included in this review evaluating rATG's use for induction therapy. All studies were single-center analyses. rATG induction is utilized to delay calcineurin inhibitor initiation and to minimize or avoid steroids. Patients receiving rATG induction tended to have improved renal function compared with patients not receiving induction. Overall, rejection rates tended to be lower in recipients administered rATG. Regimens varied in each study, with most recipients receiving 2 to 3 doses of induction therapy. CONCLUSIONS: rATG induction therapy may lead to improved renal function and lower rejection rates following liver transplant. The use of this medication can help avoid unwanted adverse effects from other immunosuppression agents. Because of the potential benefits with this induction agent, rATG may have a larger role in induction therapy for liver transplant recipients.

Evaluation of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV Inhibitor Use in the Inpatient Setting.

BACKGROUND: The American Diabetes Association recommends discontinuing non-insulin antihyperglycemic therapy during hospitalization and utilizing a basal insulin-containing regimen for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Limited research is available on the role of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors in an inpatient real-world patient population. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of DPP-IV inhibitor therapy in hospitalized patients with T2DM. METHODS: Adult patients with T2DM and received at least one dose of DPP-IV inhibitor during hospitalization were included. The primary outcome was to determine the mean daily blood glucose (BG) readings in the overall patient population. Secondary outcomes included comparing study groups and evaluating mean daily blood glucose, hospital length of stay (LOS) and incidence of hypoglycemia. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-two patients were identified: 39 patients (20.3%) received DPP-IV inhibitor monotherapy, 104 (54.2%) received DPP-IV inhibitor plus oral antihyperglycemics and 49 (25.5%) received DPP-IV inhibitor plus insulin. Mean daily BG in the entire study population was 158.7 mg/dL (131-187.5). Mean daily BG was significantly different between groups (117 mg/dL [103.5-132.3] vs. 160.7 mg/dL [133-181.1] vs. 179.4 mg/dL [153.8-216.6]; (P < 0.001). Hypoglycemic events were higher in the DPP-IV inhibitor plus insulin group (2.6% vs. 3.8% vs. 16.3%; P = 0.008). There were no significant differences in hospital LOS (2 days [1-4] vs. 3 days [1-5] vs. 4 days [2-6.5]; P = 0.051). CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient DPP-IV inhibitor use was associated with mean daily BG within goal range. Administering DPP-IV inhibitors in the inpatient setting should be considered in hospitalized patients with controlled T2DM.

Comparison of various basal insulin dose adjustments for inpatients while unable to eat.

Background The American Diabetes Association recommends basal insulin or basal plus correctional insulin regimen for non-critically ill patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus unable to eat. There is limited evidence available examining ideal basal insulin dose reductions in this patient population. Aim This study aimed to determine the percent reduction of maintenance basal insulin that would provide the least hypoglycemic incidence in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the non-intensive care unit setting. Methods This retrospective cohort study evaluated adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus prescribed outpatient basal insulin with a minimum unable to eat status of two hours. Patients were divided into four groups; <25%, 25-50%, 51-75%, > 75% of basal insulin administered compared to home dose. The primary endpoint was the incidence of hypoglycemia while unable to eat. Secondary endpoints included incidence of hyperglycemia, severe hypoglycemia, median daily blood glucose and hospital length of stay. Results A total of 173 patients were included. The primary outcome of hypoglycemia (5.9% vs. 8.8% vs. 14.3% vs. 12.3%; P = 0.578) was similar in all groups. There were no differences in hyperglycemia (P = 0.0701), severe hypoglycemia (P = 0.578) and median daily blood glucose (P = 0.428). Patients receiving 25-50% of home basal insulin had the longest unable to eat duration (11.5 h; P = 0.026); however, this was not statistically significant when adjusted using the Bonferroni correction for multiple tests. Conclusions No differences were observed in hypoglycemic events for patients unable to eat receiving various basal insulin dose reductions.

Validation Evidence using Generalizability Theory for an Objective Structured Clinical Examination.

OBJECTIVES: Performance-based assessments, including objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), are essential learning assessments within pharmacy education. Because important educational decisions can follow from performance-based assessment results, pharmacy colleges/schools should demonstrate acceptable rigor in validation of their learning assessments. Though G-Theory has rarely been reported in pharmacy education, it would behoove pharmacy educators to, using G-Theory, produce evidence demonstrating reliability as a part of their OSCE validation process. This investigation demonstrates the use of G-Theory to describes reliability for an OSCE, as well as to show methods for enhancement of the OSCE's reliability. INNOVATION: To evaluate practice-readiness in the semester before final-year rotations, third-year PharmD students took an OSCE. This OSCE included 14 stations over three weeks. Each week had four or five stations; one or two stations were scored by faculty-raters while three stations required students' written responses. All stations were scored 1-4. For G-Theory analyses, we used G_Strings and then mGENOVA. CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Ninety-seven students completed the OSCE; stations were scored independently. First, univariate G-Theory design of students crossed with stations nested in weeks (p × s:w) was used. The total-score g-coefficient (reliability) for this OSCE was 0.72. Variance components for test parameters were identified. Of note, students accounted for only some OSCE score variation. Second, a multivariate G-Theory design of students crossed with stations (p• × s°) was used. This further analysis revealed which week(s) were weakest for the reliability of test-scores from this learning assessment. Moreover, decision-studies showed how reliability could change depending on the number of stations each week. For a g-coefficient >0.80, seven stations per week were needed. Additionally, targets for improvements were identified. IMPLICATIONS: In test validation, evidence of reliability is vital for the inference of generalization; G-Theory provided this for our OSCE. Results indicated that the reliability of scores was mediocre and could be improved with more stations. Revision of problematic stations could help reliability as well. Within this need for more stations, one practical insight was to administer those stations over multiple weeks/occasions (instead of all stations in one occasion).

Impact of the implementation of a pharmacist-driven chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation orderset in an inpatient setting.

PURPOSE: The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines provide recommendations for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation. Studies have demonstrated shortened hospital length of stay (LOS) with use of guideline-adherent systemic corticosteroid therapy. There are no published studies evaluating the impact of an inpatient orderset on patient-oriented outcomes. METHODS: This institutional review board-approved, retrospective, quasi-experimental, single-center cohort study included adult patients admitted to an internal medicine service for a documented COPD exacerbation from January 2014 through December 2015 (the pre-orderset group) or January 2017 through December 2018 (the post-orderset group). A pharmacy and therapeutics committee-approved orderset recommending guideline-adherent treatment with systemic corticosteroids, scheduled short-acting bronchodilators, and antibiotics was used in the post-orderset group. The primary outcome was hospital LOS. Secondary outcomes included 30-day all-cause and COPD-related readmission rates, systemic corticosteroid-related adverse events, and antibiotic use. RESULTS: A total of 358 unique patient encounters were identified for the pre-orderset group (n = 220) and post-orderset group (n = 138). The mean (SD) hospital LOS was significantly shorter in the post-orderset group (3.4 [2.4] days vs 4.3 [3.0] days; P = 0.004). There were no significant between-group differences in rates of 30-day all-cause and COPD-related readmissions. The overall rate of antibiotic use was lower in the post-orderset group vs the pre-orderset group (71% vs 90.2%; P < 0.001). The rate of occurrence of new blood glucose elevation was significantly lower in the post-orderset group (49.3% vs 79.1%; P < 0.001), with no significant between-group difference in occurrence of new blood pressure elevation. CONCLUSION: A significant reduction in hospital LOS was found with the implementation of a pharmacist-driven COPD exacerbation orderset.

Characterization of Pharmacy Resident Interventions on an Academic Inpatient Internal Medicine Rotation.

PURPOSE: To characterize the clinical interventions of postgraduate year 1 (PGY-1) pharmacy residents on a required, 1-month, inpatient adult internal medicine service at an academic medical center. METHODS: The interventions completed by PGY-1 pharmacy residents on a required, adult internal medicine rotation were analyzed. Documentation of clinical interventions was performed by the PGY-1 residents, and the significance of the intervention was subsequently determined. Acceptance rates of clinical interventions were also documented and reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 2161 interventions were documented by 14 PGY-1 pharmacy residents between January 2016 and May 2017. Of these interventions, 2016 (93.3%) had a positive, or accepted, outcome. The significance of the majority of interventions was moderate (93.5%), indicating that either an improvement in drug therapy effectiveness, decreased hospital length of stay, reduction in cost, or prevention in harm had occurred. The most common intervention types were recommendations to add, change, or discontinue a medication therapy, completion of a pharmacy dosing consult or conducting an admission medication reconciliation. CONCLUSION: PGY-1 pharmacy residents have a positive impact on patient care in the inpatient adult internal medicine setting.

Comparison of Short-Course and Prolonged Antimicrobial Therapy in the Management of Intra-Abdominal Infections.

Background: Guidelines recommend an antimicrobial therapy duration of four to seven days for intra-abdominal infections (IAIs). Despite evidence that shorter treatments are appropriate for this disease state, longer durations frequently are utilized in clinical practice. This study compared the clinical outcomes of short course (SC) and prolonged course (PC) antimicrobial therapy for IAI. Methods: This was a noninterventional, retrospective, single-center study. Adults admitted with documented IAI who received antimicrobial treatment for ≥48 hours were included. Results: A total of 175 patients were enrolled, 73 patients receiving SC (≤7 days) and 102 patients receiving PC (>7 days) therapy. No significant differences were observed in the primary outcome of clinical cure (74% versus 67.6%; p = 0.367). Secondary outcomes including hospital length of stay (LOS) (5.5 versus 5.8 days; p = 0.372), intensive care unit (ICU) LOS (3 versus 5 days; p = 0.117), 28-day all-cause mortality rate (4.1% versus 2%; p = 0.651), and 30-day re-admission rate (19.2% versus 20.6%; p = 0.818) also were not significantly different. Conclusions: There was no significant difference in the rate of clinical cure between SC and PC antimicrobial therapy. These results further support guideline recommendations for a shorter duration of antimicrobial therapy in IAI.