Pharmacy-led initiative for improving peri-operative medication reconciliation among bariatric surgical patients: what is the role?

BACKGROUND: Multiple medication changes are common after bariatric surgery, but pharmacist assistance in this setting is not well described. This study evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of a pharmacy-led initiative for facilitating discharge medicine reconciliation after bariatric surgery. METHODS: A standardized post-operative pharmacy consult evaluation was conducted on bariatric surgery inpatients at a single academic center starting 1/2/2019. Retrospective chart review evaluated patient characteristics, medication changes, and 30-day outcomes pre-intervention (7/2018-12/2018) and post-intervention (1/2019-12/2019). Two-sample t tests or binomial tests were used for continuous or categorical variables, respectively; a p-value of < 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 353 patients were identified for study inclusion (n = 158 pre-intervention, n = 195 post-intervention) with a mean age of 45 years, 87% female, and 71% sleeve gastrectomy. Overall pharmacy consultation compliance was 94% with 77.0% of home medication recommendations followed. Non-narcotic pain medication prescription use significantly increased (39% pre- vs. 54% post-intervention; p < 0.001). At discharge, the average number of changed or new medications significantly increased (3.7 ± 1.2 pre- vs. 4.2 ± 1.8 post-intervention; p = 0.003) while the average number of stopped medications was similar (1.2 ± 1.5 pre- vs. 1.5 ± 1.9 post-intervention; p = 0.09). Anti-hypertensive medications were decreased or stopped substantially more often with pharmacist input (44.7% pre- vs. 85.4% post-intervention; p < 0.001). Three medication-related readmissions happened pre-intervention with none post-intervention. Outpatient medication-related phone calls did considerably increase (31% pre- vs. 39% post-intervention; p = 0.04), while overall 30-day readmissions significantly decreased (7.6% pre- vs. 1.5% post-intervention; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient pharmacy consultation facilitated rapid alteration to more appropriate therapy for hypertension management and significantly increased use of non-narcotic pain medications upon discharge among bariatric surgery patients. Improved protocol adherence is anticipated with program maturity and patient education interventions will be deployed to address outpatient phone calls.

Non-convulsive status epilepticus and non-convulsive seizures in neurological ICU patients.

BACKGROUND: Non-convulsive seizures (NCS) or non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) has been reported in 8-20 % of critically ill patient populations, and delayed diagnosis and treatment of NCSE may lead to increased mortality. This study seeks to better understand the risk factors, characteristics, and outcome of NCS/NCSE in the neurological ICU. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study, recruiting consecutive patients admitted to the adult neurological ICU with altered mental status. Patients with anoxic brain injury were excluded from the study. Data were collected and analyzed for prevalence of NCSE/NCS, EEG patterns, associated risk factors, treatment response, and final outcome. RESULTS: NCSE/NCS was detected in 21 % of 170 subjects. Clinical seizures preceded EEG diagnosis of NCSE/NCS in 25 % of cases. Significant risk factors for NCSE/NCS were a past medical history of intracranial tumor, epilepsy, or meningitis/encephalitis, or MRI evidence of encephalomalacia. Subtle clinical findings such as twitching of oral or ocular muscles and eye deviations were found on exam in 50 % of the NCSE/NCS group. Mortality was increased in NCSE cases as 31 % of NCSE/NCS patients died compared to 14 % in non-NCSE/NCS group. CONCLUSIONS: Specific clinical features along with history and imaging findings may be used to identify patients at high risk of NCSE/NCS in the neurological ICU.

Eye-tracking differences between free text and template radiology reports: a pilot study.

Purpose: One possible limitation of structured template radiology reports is that radiologists look back and forth between viewing and dictation monitors, thereby impacting the length of time spent reviewing images and generating a report. We hypothesize that the total time spent viewing case images is diminished and/or the total time spent creating a report is prolonged when the report is generated using a structured template compared with free text format. Approach: Three neuroradiologists and three senior residents viewed five brain magnetic resonance imaging cases with unique findings while eye position was recorded. Participants generated reports for each case utilizing both structured templates and free text dictation. The time spent viewing images was compared with the time spent looking at the dictation screen. Results: The two main hypotheses were confirmed: the total time viewing images diminished with templates versus free text dictation and the total time to create a report was prolonged with templates. The mean time (s) spent on the "image" region of interest approached statistical significance as a function of the report type [free: attendings = 236.79 (154.43), residents = 223.55 (77.79); template: attendings = 163.40 (73.42), residents = 182.48 (77.47)] and was overall lower with the template reporting for both attendings and residents ( F = 3.77 , p = 0.0623 ), but it did not differ as a function of seniority ( F = 0.017 , p = 0.8977 ). Conclusions: Template-based radiology reports have significant potential to alter the way radiologists view images and report on them, spending more time viewing the report monitor rather than diagnostic images compared with free text dictation. Many radiologists prefer templates for reporting as the structured format may aid in conducting a more systematic or thorough search for findings, although prior work on this assumption is mixed. Future eye-tracking studies could further elucidate whether and how templates and free reports impact the detection and classification of radiographic findings.

Image quality assessment of advanced reconstruction algorithm for point-of-care MRI scanner.

Purpose: Portable magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) has potential to rapidly acquire images at the patients' bedside to improve access in locations lacking MRI devices. The scanner under consideration has a magnetic field strength of 0.064 T, thus image-processing algorithms to improve image quality are required. Our study evaluated pMRI images produced using a deep learning (DL)-based advanced reconstruction scheme to improve image quality by reducing image blurring and noise to determine if diagnostic performance was similar to images acquired at 1.5 T. Approach: Six radiologists viewed 90 brain MRI cases (30 acute ischemic stroke (AIS), 30 hemorrhage, 30 no lesion) with T1, T2, and fluid attenuated inversion recovery sequences, once using standard of care (SOC) images (1.5 T) and once using pMRI DL-based advanced reconstruction images. Observers provided a diagnosis and decision confidence. Time to review each image was recorded. Results: Receiver operating characteristic area under the curve revealed overall no significant difference (p=0.0636) between pMRI and SOC images. Examining each abnormality, for acute ischemic stroke, there was a significant difference (p=0.0042) with SOC better than pMRI; but for hemorrhage, there was no significant difference (p=0.1950). There was no significant difference in viewing time for pMRI versus SOC (p=0.0766) or abnormality (p=0.3601). Conclusions: The deep learning (DL)-based reconstruction scheme to improve pMRI was successful for hemorrhage, but for acute ischemic stroke the scheme could still be improved. For neurocritical care especially in remote and/or resource poor locations, pMRI has significant clinical utility, although radiologists should be aware of limitations of low-field MRI devices in overall quality and take that into account when diagnosing. As an initial triage to aid in the decision of whether to transport or keep patients on site, pMRI images likely provide enough information.

Evaluation of An Inpatient Pharmacy Consult on Discharge Medications in Bariatric Surgery Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of an inpatient pharmacy consult on discharge medications following bariatric surgery. METHODS: A pharmacy consult for discharge medication review for bariatric surgery patients was instituted at an academic medical center. The intervention included conducting a medication history, reviewing home medications for updates post-bariatric surgery, creating and documenting a discharge medication plan, and providing patient education. The impact of the intervention was evaluated by comparing medication classes, doses, and formulations prescribed during the intervention relative to a historical control group. RESULTS: The study included 85 patients who received pharmacist intervention and 167 patients who did not receive pharmacist intervention following bariatric surgery. The prescription of an extended-release medication at discharge in the intervention group was reduced by 19.3% (28.7% vs. 9.4%, p = 0.0005). For patients on hypertension medications, 94.0% had their regimen reduced in the intervention group compared with 37.5% of patients in the control group (p < 0.001). Of patients on insulin at baseline, 87.5% of patients in the intervention group had dose reductions at discharge vs. 66.7% of patients in the control group (p = 0.37). No patients in the intervention group were discharged with oral antihyperglycemic medications or non-insulin injectable medications vs. 33.3% (p = 0.12) and 20.0% (p = 0.47), respectively, in the control group. Readmission rates at 30 days were insignificantly lower in the intervention group (3.5% vs. 4.2%, p = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical pharmacist involvement in the discharge medication reconciliation process for bariatric surgery patients reduced prescribing of unadjusted medication classes, doses, and drug formulations.

Reducing Early Readmissions after Ventral Hernia Repair with the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative.

BACKGROUND: Early readmission after ventral hernia repair (VHR) can hinder patient recovery and increase resource use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative Early Readmission Reduction Initiative in reducing early readmissions after VHR. STUDY DESIGN: Risk factors for early readmission and best practices of surgeons with the lowest readmission rates after VHR were determined through collaborative learning. Two interventions for reducing early readmissions were developed: a structured questionnaire administered to patients within 1 week after discharge from the hospital or an early clinic visit after discharge and before a regularly scheduled postoperative visit. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the impact of these interventions on early readmission. RESULTS: Use of the questionnaire and early clinic visit was tracked in 3,007 patients. Of these, 343 received the questionnaire (2.6% readmission rate), 761 had an early clinic visit after discharge (3.0% readmission rate), 138 had both (4.3% readmission rate), and 1,765 patients received neither (5.9% readmission rate). After controlling for factors associated with early readmissions, administration of the questionnaire (odds ratio 0.42; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.84; p < 0.05) or having an early clinic visit (odds ratio 0.48; 95% CI 0.30 to 0.76; p < 0.05) were both associated with reduced odds for readmission. CONCLUSIONS: The Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative Early Readmission Reduction Initiative successfully reduced readmissions after VHR using a structured questionnaire or early clinic visit implemented after discharge and before routine 30-day postoperative follow-up.