Criterios de Beers para identificar el consumo de medicación potencialmente inapropiada: adaptación para su aplicación en Argentina / Beers criteria to identify the consumption of potentially inappropriate medication: adaptation for its application inArgentina

Introducción. Los Criterios de Beers son los más utilizados para evaluar el uso de medicación potencialmente inapropiada en grandes poblaciones, pero no contemplan algunos medicamentos de uso frecuente fuera de los EE.UU. Objetivo. Realizar una adaptación al contexto de Argentina de los Criterios de Beers publicados en 2019. Métodos. Fue elaborada una lista preliminar de medicación potencialmente inapropiada adaptada a la comercialización local, que luego fue consensuada por un panel de expertos (método Delphi). Resultados. De los 112 medicamentos originales listados en la tabla dos de los Criterios de Beers (en forma individual o como grupo), fueron excluidos 36 por no estar disponibles el país y fueron sumados 23 que no se comercializan en los EE.UU. pero sí en Argentina. Luego de dos rondas y de consensuar la suma a esta lista de dos grupos farmacológicos(antimigrañosos y vasodilatadores periféricos), fue acordado el agregado de picosulfato, bisacodilo, senósidos y cáscara sagrada como medicación potencialmente inapropiada en el grupo de agentes contra el estreñimiento, la fluoxetina entre los inhibidores selectivos de la recaptación de serotonina y el Ginkgo biloba como droga contra la demencia. También hubo consenso en advertir el riesgo de hipotensión ortostática asociado a la tamsulosina, en aconsejar la consideración de la carga anticolinérgica total del esquema terapéutico administrado y en recomendar al paracetamol como primera línea de tratamiento del dolor, asociado o no a opioides. Conclusiones. Contar con una versión de los Criterios de Beers 2019 adaptada al contexto de Argentina contribuirá al desarrollo y monitoreo de intervenciones para prevenir y reducir el consumo de medicación potencialmente inapropiada. (AU)

Introduction.The Beers Criteria is the most widely used criteria to assess the use of potentially inappropriate medication in large populations, but they do not include some medications that are frequently used outside the United States. Objective.To make an adaptation of the Beers Criteria published in 2019 to the context of Argentina. Methods. A preliminary list of potentially inappropriate medication adapted to local market and practice was designed, which was then agreed upon by a panel of experts (Delphi method). Results. Of the 112 original drugs in the table 2 of the Beers Criteria (individually or as a group), 36 were excluded because they were not available in Argentina and 23 locally marketed drugs but not in the US were included. After two rounds and agreeing to add two additional pharmacological groups to this list (antimigraine and peripheral vasodilators), it was decided to add picosulfate, bisacodyl, sennosides and cascara sagrada as potentially inappropriate medication in the group of anti-constipation agents, fluoxetine among. the selective serotonin reup take inhibitors and Ginkgo biloba as an anti-dementia drug. There was also consensus in warning about the risk of orthostatic hypotension associated with tamsulosin,in advising consideration of the total anticholinergic load of the therapeutic regimen administered, and in recommending paracetamol as the first line of pain treatment, associated or not with opioids. Conclusions. Having a version of the Beers Criteria 2019 adapted to the Argentine context will contribute to the development and monitoring of interventions to prevent and reduce the consumption of potentially inappropriate medication. (AU)

Erros no preparo e na administração de medicamentos intravenosos / Errores en la preparación y administración de medicamentos intravenosos / Errors in the preparation and administration of intravenous drugs

Objetivo identificar os erros no preparo e na administração de medicamentos intravenosos. Método estudo observacional e descritivo realizado de 694 doses de medicamentos intravenosos realizadas pelos profissionais de enfermagem em pacientes adultos nas unidades de Emergência, Internamento e Unidade de Terapia Intensiva de um hospital de pequeno porte do recôncavo da Bahia, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados em março e abril de 2019, por meio da observação não participante, tendo como instrumento dois roteiros de observação. As variáveis descritivas foram analisadas por meio da distribuição de frequência absoluta e relativa. Resultados destacou-se os erros de técnica com observação da ocorrência de 60% de erros de técnica do preparo e 75% de erros de técnica de administração dos medicamentos intravenosos. Conclusão Tanto no preparo quanto na administração dos medicamentos intravenosos, foram identificados erros de técnica e de horário, apontando a necessidade de implementação de estratégias voltadas para a segurança do paciente.

Objetivo identificar errores en la preparación y administración de medicaciones intravenosas. Método estudio observacional y descriptivo, realizado con 694 dosis de medicaciones intravenosas realizadas por profesionales de enfermería en pacientes adultos en las Unidades de Emergencia, Internación y Cuidados Intensivos de un pequeño hospital en el recóncavo de Bahía, Brasil. Los datos fueron recolectados en los meses de marzo y abril de 2019, mediante observación no participante, utilizando dos guiones de observación como instrumento. Las variables descriptivas se analizaron mediante la distribución de frecuencia absoluta y relativa. Resultados se observaron errores técnicos, con ocurrencia del 60% de errores de técnica de preparación y 75% de errores de técnica de administración de fármacos intravenosos. Conclusión tanto en la preparación como en la administración de medicamentos por vía intravenosa se identificaron errores en la técnica y en el tiempo, señalando la necesidad de implementar estrategias orientadas a la seguridad del paciente.

Objective to identify errors in the preparation and administration of intravenous drugs. Method observational and descriptive study. 694 doses of intravenous medications performed by nursing professionals in adult patients were observed in the Emergency, Inpatient and Intensive Care Units of a small hospital in the recôncavo of Bahia, Brazil. Data were collected in March and April 2019, through non-participant observation, using two observation scripts as instruments. Descriptive variables were analyzed using the absolute and relative frequency distribution. Results the occurrence of 60% of errors in the preparation technique and 75% of errors in the technique of administering intravenous drugs was highlighted. Conclusion both in the preparation and administration of intravenous medications, errors in technique and time were identified, pointing out the need to implement strategies aimed at patient safety.

Medication administration safety assessment tool: Construction and validation.

OBJECTIVE: To build and validate the Patient Safety Assessment in Medication Administration (ASPAM - Avaliação da Segurança do Paciente na Administração de Medicamentos) tool. METHOD: Methodological study in which the construction, Content Validation Index (CVI), construct validation (factorial analysis) and reliability were performed in terms of homogeneity (Cronbach's Alpha). RESULTS: The ASPAM reached CVI of 0.77 for simplicity, 0.76 for clarity and 0.93 for relevance. The exploratory factorial analysis was adequate for the tool (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkim of 0.66 and Bartlett's sphericity with p <0.001). The Cronbach's Alpha end of the scale with 28 items was 0.85. CONCLUSION: The ASPAM tool was valid and reliable for the identification of risk-generating conditions for the occurrence of Adverse Drug Events.

Medication administration safety assessment tool: Construction and validation / Instrumento de evaluación de la seguridad en la administración de medicamentos: Construcción y validación / Instrumento para avaliação da segurança na administração de medicamentos: construção e validação

ABSTRACT Objective: To build and validate the Patient Safety Assessment in Medication Administration (ASPAM - Avaliação da Segurança do Paciente na Administração de Medicamentos) tool. Method: Methodological study in which the construction, Content Validation Index (CVI), construct validation (factorial analysis) and reliability were performed in terms of homogeneity (Cronbach's Alpha). Results: The ASPAM reached CVI of 0.77 for simplicity, 0.76 for clarity and 0.93 for relevance. The exploratory factorial analysis was adequate for the tool (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkim of 0.66 and Bartlett's sphericity with p <0.001). The Cronbach's Alpha end of the scale with 28 items was 0.85. Conclusion: The ASPAM tool was valid and reliable for the identification of risk-generating conditions for the occurrence of Adverse Drug Events.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Construir y validar el instrumento Evaluación de la Seguridad del Paciente en la Administración de Medicamentos (ASPAM - Avaliação da Segurança do Paciente na Administração de Medicamentos). Método: El estudio metodológico en que se procedió a la construcción, el Índice de Validación de Contenido (IVC), la validación de constructo (análisis factorial) y la confiabilidad, en términos de homogeneidad (Alfa de Cronbach). Resultados: La ASPAM alcanzó IVC de 0,77 para simplicidad, 0,76 para claridad y 0,93 para relevancia. El análisis factorial exploratorio se mostró adecuado para el instrumento (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkim de 0,66 y la esfericidad de Bartlett con p <0,001). El Alfa de Cronbach final de la escala con 28 ítems fue de 0,85. Conclusión: El instrumento ASPAM se mostró válido y confiable para la identificación de condiciones generadoras de riesgo para ocurrencia de eventos adversos a los medicamentos.

RESUMO Objetivo: Construir e validar o instrumento Avaliação da Segurança do Paciente na Administração de Medicamentos (ASPAM). Método: Estudo metodológico em que se procederam a construção, o Índice de Validação de Conteúdo (IVC), a validação de construto (análise fatorial) e a confiabilidade, em termos de homogeneidade (Alfa de Cronbach). Resultados: A ASPAM alcançou IVC de 0,77 para simplicidade, 0,76 para clareza e 0,93 para relevância. A análise fatorial exploratória mostrou-se adequada para o instrumento (Kaiser- Meyer-Olkim de 0,66 e a esfericidade de Bartlett com p<0,001). O Alfa de Cronbach final da escala com 28 itens foi de 0,85. Conclusão: O instrumento ASPAM mostrou-se válido e confiável para a identificação de condições geradoras de risco para ocorrência de eventos adversos aos medicamentos.

A "Neurological Emergency Trolley" reduces turnaround time for high-risk medications in a general intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVES: To reduce medication turnaround times during neurological emergencies, a multidisciplinary team developed a neurological emergency crash trolley in our intensive care unit. This trolley includes phenytoin, hypertonic saline and mannitol, as well as other equipment. The aim of this study was to assess whether the cart reduced turnaround times for these medications. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: In this retrospective cohort study, medication delivery times for two year epochs before and after its implementation were compared. Eligible patients were identified from our intensive care unit screening log. Adults who required emergent use of phenytoin, hypertonic saline or mannitol while in the intensive care unit were included. Groups were compared with nonparametric analyses. SETTING: 33-bed general medical-surgical intensive care unit in an academic teaching hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time to medication administration. RESULTS: In the pre-intervention group, there were 43 patients with 66 events. In the post-intervention group, there were 45 patients with 80 events. The median medication turnaround time was significantly reduced after implementation of the neurological emergency trolley (25 vs. 10minutes, p=0.003). There was no statistically significant difference in intensive care or 30-day survival between the two cohorts. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a novel neurological emergency crash trolley in our intensive care unit reduced medication turnaround times.

Medication management of type 2 diabetes in residential aged care

BACKGROUND: Medication management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) requires consideration of the residents' goals of care and susceptibility to adverse drug events (ADEs). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to review best practice medication management for residents diagnosed with T2DM. DISCUSSION: Management of T2DM in RACFs is often focused on maintaining residents' quality of life rather than intensive glycaemic management to reduce chronic complications, because the risks of intensive glycaemic management typically outweigh the potential benefits. Australian RACF guidelines recommend individualised glycated haemoglobin targets of 7­8.5% (53­69 mmol/mol). Strategies to reduce the risk of preventable ADEs may include education for residents, carers and staff; assessment of hypoglycaemic risk and renal function; medication review and regimen simplification; de-intensification of glucose-lowering medications; and appropriate end-of-life medication management. Use of a resident-centred multidisciplinary approach and resources tailored to the RACF setting will support residents to achieve best possible health outcomes and quality of life.

Who Will Be Culpable?

A registered nurse of questionable professional competence, with a dodgy employment record, a history of mental illness and substance abuse, remains employed and ultimately murders eight vulnerable seniors, attempts to murder four others, and assaults another two over the course of a decade. At least those are the ones for which Elizabeth Wettlaufer offered a confession. Like most nurses and citizens, I was horrified by the revelation of multiple homicides at the hand of one of us. How could such a confluence of incompetence, mental illness and addiction, and willful murder go undetected for so long by so many?

Design and application of a medication assessment tool for secondary prevention of stroke.

Background Optimisation of drug therapy is essential in the care of older persons and may be facilitated by application of medication assessment tools (MATs). Objective To design, psychometrically evaluate and apply an innovative MAT for secondary prevention of ischaemic stroke with particular relevance to older persons. Method Review criteria were selected from clinical practice guidelines and MAT-CVA was developed, validated and tested for reliability and feasibility. MAT-CVA was applied to 150 patients with a diagnosis of ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack admitted to a rehabilitation hospital. Results MAT-CVA consists of 17 criteria sectioned into antithrombotic, lipid lowering, antihypertensive and glycaemic therapy. Content validity was demonstrated for all criteria. Reliability was confirmed with kappa values of 0.80 for both inter- and intraobserver agreements. Mean application time for the two observers was 5.55 and 6.56 min. Adherence to applicable criteria was 55% and justified non-adherence was 22.3%. Non-adherence was predominantly evident for prescription of anticoagulation in concurrent atrial fibrillation (36.4%), thiazide diuretics ± angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors for hypertension (26.8%) and dipyridamole at the recommended dose (24.0%). Conclusion Application of MAT-CVA indicated good overall adherence and identified gaps in clinical performance which may be targeted to enhance drug therapy optimisation.

First Successful Pre-Distribution of Stable Iodine Tablets Under Japan's New Policy After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident.

Stable iodine tablets are effective in reducing internal exposure to radioactive iodine, which poses a risk for thyroid cancer and other conditions. After the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, the Japanese government shifted its policy on stable iodine tablet distribution from "after-the-fact" to "before-the-fact" and instructed local governments to pre-distribute stable iodine tablets to residents living within a 5-km radius of nuclear facilities. The nation's first pre-distribution of stable iodine tablets was carried out in June and July of 2014 in Kagoshima Prefecture. Health surveys were conducted so that the medication would not be handed out to people with the possibility of side effects. Of the 4715 inhabitants in the area, 132 were found to require a physician's judgment, mostly to exclude risks of side effects. This was considered important to prevent the misuse of the tablets in the event of a disaster. The importance of collective and individualized risk communication between physicians and inhabitants at the community health level was apparent through this study. Involvement of physicians through the regional Sendai City Medical Association was an important component of the pre-distribution. Physicians of the Sendai City Medical Association were successfully educated by using the Guidebook on Distributing and Administering Stable Iodine Tablets prepared by the Japan Medical Association and Japan Medical Association Research Institute with the collaboration of the National Institute of Radiological Sciences and the Japanese government. Thus, the physicians managed to make decisions on the dispensing of stable iodine tablets according to the health conditions of the inhabitants. All physicians nationwide should be provided continuing medical education on stable iodine tablets. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:365-369).

A Smartwatch-Driven Medication Management System Compliant to the German Medication Plan.

Medication adherence is an important factor for the outcome of medical therapies. To support high adherence levels, smartwatches can be used to assist the patient. However, a successful integration of such devices into clinicians' or general practitioners' information systems requires the use of standards. In this paper, a medication management system supplied with smartwatch generated feedback events is presented. It allows physicians to manage their patients' medications and track their adherence in real time. Moreover, it fosters interoperability via a ISO/IEC 16022 data matrix which encodes related medication data in compliance with the German Medication Plan specification.

Development and Assessment of a Medication Safety Measurement Program in a Long-Term Care Pharmacy.

OBJECTIVE: Medication errors continue to be a major issue in the health care system, including in long-term care facilities. While many hospitals and health systems have developed methods to identify, track, and prevent these errors, long-term care facilities historically have not invested in these error-prevention strategies. The objective of this study was two-fold: 1) to develop a set of medication-safety process measures for dispensing in a long-term care pharmacy, and 2) to analyze the data from those measures to determine the relative safety of the process. DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: The study was conducted at In Touch Pharmaceuticals in Valparaiso, Indiana. To assess the safety of the medication-use system, each step was documented using a comprehensive flowchart (process flow map) tool. Once completed and validated, the flowchart was used to complete a "failure modes and effects analysis" (FMEA) identifying ways a process may fail. Operational gaps found during FMEA were used to identify points of measurement. The research identified a set of eight measures as potential areas of failure; data were then collected on each one of these. RESULTS: More than 133,000 medication doses (opportunities for errors) were included in the study during the research time frame (April 1, 2014, and ended on June 4, 2014). Overall, there was an approximate order-entry error rate of 15.26%, with intravenous errors at 0.37%. A total of 21 errors migrated through the entire medication-use system. These 21 errors in 133,000 opportunities resulted in a final check error rate of 0.015%. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive medication-safety measurement program was designed and assessed. This study demonstrated the ability to detect medication errors in a long-term pharmacy setting, thereby making process improvements measureable. Future, larger, multi-site studies should be completed to test this measurement program.

Implementing a perpetual anesthesia setup standardized for the trauma room in a level I trauma center.

The trauma room in a level I trauma center is a dynamic environment that provides little room for error. Significant variability can exist if anesthesia providers set up the room differently. Standardization provides a system that is consistent, reliable, and cost-effective. This study examines the process of creating and implementing a standardized anesthesia setup in the trauma room of a level I trauma center. As a result of this study, the medication cart and airway setups have been standardized. Providers are encouraged to only draw up medications that will be immediately used and to ensure that prefilled syringes have been incorporated into the pharmacy formulary. Using the EZ Endo prestyleted endotracheal tube (ETT) vs a regular ETT with stylet has yielded an annual cost savings of $2,673. Ensuring that items such as an esophageal temperature probe, humidifier, and nasogastric tube are available but unopened has provided a savings of $1,989.25 per year. The reservoir bag has been changed to a latex-free bag, and 3 central line kits including an arterial line kit are routinely stocked. An ultrasound machine dedicated for central line access, GlideScope, rapid fluid infuser, and Airtraq laryngoscope have all been incorporated into the permanent setup in the trauma room.

Nursing best practices using automated dispensing cabinets: nurses' key role in improving medication safety.

Automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) are used widely, but safety gaps remain. Nursing-pharmacy collaboration, expert guidance, self-assessment tools, compliance with nursing best practices, and continuing education are essential to optimize the safety and productivity of ADC use.

Individuals appreciate having their medication record on the web: a survey of attitudes to a national pharmacy register.

BACKGROUND: Many patients receive health care in different settings. Thus, a limitation of clinical care may be inaccurate medication lists, since data exchange between settings is often lacking and patients do not regularly self-report on changes in their medication. Health care professionals and patients are both interested in utilizing electronic health information. However, opinion is divided as to who should take responsibility for maintaining personal health records. In Sweden, the government has passed a law to enforce and fund a national register of dispensed medications. The register comprises all individuals with dispensed medications (6.4 million individuals, September 2006) and can be accessed by the individual online via "My dispensed medications". The individual has the right to restrict the accessibility of the information in health care settings. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the users' attitudes towards their access to "My dispensed medications" as part of a new interactive Internet service on prescribed medications. METHOD: A password-protected Web survey was conducted among a first group of users of "My dispensed medications". Data was anonymously collected and analyzed with regard to the usefulness and design of the Web site, the respondents' willingness to discuss their "My dispensed medications" with others, their reasons for access, and their source of information about the service. RESULTS: During the study period (January-March, 2007), all 7860 unique site visitors were invited to answer the survey. Invitations were accepted by 2663 individuals, and 1716 responded to the online survey yielding a view rate of 21.8% (1716/7860) and a completion rate of 64.4% (1716/2663). The completeness rate for each question was in the range of 94.9% (1629/1716) to 99.5% (1707/1716). In general, the respondents' expectations of the usefulness of "My dispensed medications" were high (total median grade 5; Inter Quartile Range [IQR] 3, on a scale 1-6). They were also positive about the design of the Web site (total median grade 5; IQR 1, on a scale 1-6). The high grades were not dependent on age or number of drugs. A majority of the respondents, 60.4% (1037/1716), had learned about "My dispensed medications" from pharmacies. 70.4% (1208/1716) of all respondents said they visited "My dispensed medications" to get control or an overview of their drugs. Getting control was a more common (P < .001) answer for the elderly (age 75 or above), whereas curiosity was more common (P < .001) for the younger age group (18-44 years). CONCLUSION: We found that users of the provider-based personal medication record "My dispensed medications" appreciated the access to their record. Since we found that the respondents liked the design of the Web site and perceived that the information was easy to understand, the study provided no reason for system changes. However, a need for more information about the register, and to extend its use, was recognized.