Implementation of a multidisciplinary inpatient opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution program at a large academic medical center.

PURPOSE: Opioid overdose-related deaths continue to rise. Despite public health efforts, there is still variability in obtainment of naloxone, a lifesaving antidote. We share our experience in the implementation of a novel opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) program at a large academic medical center. METHODS: Collaborative efforts made by pharmacists, pharmacy students, physicians, nurses, and recovery coaches were employed in the design of the program. The service was available Monday through Friday, 9 am to 6 pm, and primarily carried out by pharmacy students on a rotating basis. Services offered included bedside delivery of naloxone and education prior to the day of discharge. In preparation for their role, the pharmacy students were required to complete a series of trainings and competency assessments. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were included in the program evaluation. Of the completed consults 96.7% (n = 30) of patients received both counseling and naloxone delivery. Eighty percent of patients had a history of nonfatal opioid overdose, but only 37.5% had naloxone listed as a home medication. OEND services were provided to 66% of individuals with patient-directed discharges. CONCLUSION: Implementation of an inpatient OEND program by mobilizing trained student pharmacists is feasible and expands naloxone access to patients during transitions of care. A similar model could be considered in the future for the delivery of harm reduction supplies to this patient population.

Effects of a pharmacy-driven medication history program on patient outcomes.

PURPOSE: Obtaining an accurate medication history is a vital component of medication reconciliation upon admission to the hospital. Despite the importance of this task, medication histories are often inaccurate and/or incomplete. We evaluated the association of a pharmacy-driven medication history initiative on clinical outcomes of patients admitted to the general medicine service of an academic medical center. METHODS: Comparing patients who received a pharmacy-driven medication history to those who did not, a retrospective stabilized inverse probability treatment weighting propensity score analysis was used to estimate the average treatment effect of the intervention on general medical patients. Fifty-two patient baseline characteristics including demographic, operational, and clinical variables were controlled in the propensity score model. Hospital length of stay, 7-day and 30-day unplanned readmissions, and in-hospital mortality were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 11,576 eligible general medical patients, 2,234 (19.30%) received a pharmacy-driven medication history and 9,342 (80.70%) patients did not. The estimated average treatment effect of receiving a pharmacy-driven medication history was a shorter length of stay (mean, 5.88 days vs 6.53 days; P = 0.0002) and a lower in-hospital mortality rate (2.34% vs 3.72%, P = 0.001), after adjustment for differences in patient baseline characteristics. No significant difference was found for 7-day or 30-day all-cause readmission rates. CONCLUSION: Pharmacy-driven medication histories reduced length of stay and in-hospital mortality in patients admitted to the general medical service at an academic medical center but did not change 7-day and 30-day all-cause readmission rates. Further research via a large, multisite randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm our findings.

Pediatric adenoidectomy: what is the effect of obstructive symptoms on the likelihood of future surgery?

OBJECTIVE: Determine if pediatric patients undergoing adenoidectomy for obstruction have an increased likelihood of undergoing eventual tonsillectomy and/or second adenoidectomy over extended follow-up. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study within the ambulatory surgery component of a tertiary children's hospital. Exclusion criteria consisted of the presence of significant co-morbid conditions (obesity, craniofacial syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.) and less than 1 year of post-adenoidectomy follow-up. The study population included 100 children (mean age=3.9 years, range 0.9-15 years) randomly selected from a financial billing database undergoing adenoidectomy either with pre-operative obstructive symptoms (OB n=52) or without pre-operative obstructive symptoms (NOB n=48) with a minimum of 1 year of retrospective follow-up. Electronic records were searched for subsequent surgery (tonsillectomy and/or revision adenoidectomy). RESULTS: Overall, 29 of 100 children (29%) underwent subsequent surgery (tonsillectomy and/or revision adenoidectomy) over an average of 3.46 years (range 1.0-6.59 years) retrospective follow-up. Children in the OB group were three times more likely (age, sex adjusted odds ratio=3.03, 95% confidence interval =1.18-7.78 p=0.021) than children in the NOB group to require tonsillectomy or second adenoidectomy. Age less than 2 years at time of initial adenoidectomy also suggested an increased likelihood of subsequent surgery. CONCLUSION: Children undergoing adenoidectomy with obstructive symptoms are more likely to require eventual tonsillectomy and/or second adenoidectomy than those undergoing adenoidectomy without obstruction. However, the low absolute likelihood of future surgery precludes a generalized recommendation for tonsillectomy in these children.

Summer Treatment Program Improves Behavior of Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This study evaluated the effects of a behavioral summer treatment program for children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD). Twenty boys (M = 9.2 years) diagnosed with HFASD participated in the 6-week program across 6 years. Detailed daily behavioral data were collected on a variety of positive and negative social behaviors. Repeated measures ANOVAs of weekly behavior frequencies indicated substantial improvements in a number of behaviors over the 6 weeks of the program, including following activity rules, contributing to a group discussion, paying attention, and less complaining/whining. Overall, results highlight the potential efficacy of treating chronic functional impairments of HFASD and associated problem behaviors in the context of an intensive behavioral summer treatment program.

Platelet-rich plasma does not decrease blood loss in total knee arthroplasty.

This study was designed to assess the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) during primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The authors hypothesized that this would result in less blood loss and greater hemoglobin and hematocrit levels at discharge and would potentially decrease the length of hospital stay. Leukocyte rich PRP was used during the procedure and at wound closure. Two surgeons performed all procedures in a similar fashion. Two different TKA implants were used. Each surgeon used the same implant throughout the study. A limited medial parapatellar approach was used and drains were used at closure. No tranexamic acid preparations were used. Continuous passive motion machines were used in all patients during their hospital stay. A total of 102 consecutive TKAs were performed. The study group (n=46) consecutively received the PRP injections during the TKA, whereas the control group (n=47) did not. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were obtained pre- and postoperatively. Estimated blood loss was recorded during surgery, and the auto-collection reinfusion drain system output was measured. The length of hospital stay was collected and recorded. The study showed that hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were not different when comparing study and control groups. Age and sex differences were insignificant. Finally, no statistical difference was seen for the estimated blood loss and hospital stay between the 2 groups. Platelet-rich plasma use during TKA does not decrease hospital stay or reduce estimated blood loss in the perioperative period.

Multimodality treatment for sinonasal neuroendocrine carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of the paranasal sinuses is rare, accounting for 5% of sinonasal malignancies. The purpose of this study was to assess prognostic factors and survival rates for sinonasal NEC. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with NEC treated from 1990 to 2004 was performed. Patient demographics, TNM classification, treatment modality, recurrences, and survival were evaluated. RESULTS: NEC was identified in 28 patients; the most common primary site was the ethmoid sinuses. Most patients presented with advanced tumors; few had regional or distant metastasis. Local recurrence rate was 21%. Five-year overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 65% and 78%, respectively. Response to chemotherapy predicted for improved survival, although no differences in outcomes were noted between definitive management strategies. CONCLUSION: NEC of the paranasal sinuses is an exceedingly rare malignancy of the paranasal sinuses. Our data suggests definitive management with surgery or radiotherapy offers durable control. The response to chemotherapy may predict for overall outcomes.