Medication Use in Women and Men With Sudden Unexpected Death.

BACKGROUND: In Wake County, NC, sudden unexpected death accounts for 10% to 15% of all natural deaths in individuals 18 to 64 years old. Medications such as aspirin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, statins, and ß-blockers are recommended in guidelines to reduce cardiovascular events and even sudden death (ß-blockers). However, guidelines are often underpracticed, even in high-risk patients, with noted disparities in women. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the relation between prescription of evidence-based medications and sudden unexpected death in Wake County, NC. METHODS: We analyzed 399 cases of sudden unexpected death for the time period March 1, 2013 to February 28, 2015 in Wake County, NC. Medications were assessed from available medical examiner reports and medical records and grouped using the third level of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (ATC) codes. This study was reviewed and exempt by the University of North Carolina's institutional review board. RESULTS: Among 126 female and 273 male victims, women were prescribed more medications overall than men (6.5 vs 4.3, P = 0.001); however, the use of guideline-directed therapies was not different between genders in the chronic conditions associated with sudden death. Overall, there was remarkably low use of evidence-based medications. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the need to improve prescribing of evidence-based medications and to further explore the relationship between undertreatment and sudden unexpected death.

Identification of risk factors for inappropriate and suboptimal initiation of direct oral anticoagulants.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) require specific dosing and monitoring to ensure safe and appropriate use. The purpose of this evaluation was to identify patient- and process-related factors that correlate with increased risk of inappropriate prescribing of DOACs. A retrospective chart review was conducted in three outpatient clinics within an academic medical center to identify patients started on DOAC therapy and evaluate the appropriateness of DOAC initiation. Data collected included patient demographics, DOAC medication initiated, dose, indication, baseline laboratory values, concomitant medications, type and specialty of prescriber, and initiation setting. Appropriateness of initial dose was assessed and data were analyzed in order to identify factors correlating with inappropriate use. One-hundred sixty-seven patients initiated on a DOAC were identified. Most patients were prescribed anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation (74.9 %) and most commonly prescribed rivaroxaban (62.9 %). An inappropriate dose was prescribed in 24 (14.4 %) patients. Female patients and patients over 75 years were more likely to be prescribed an inappropriate initial dose. Baseline evaluation of blood counts and organ function were often not performed: hemoglobin values had not been drawn within the month prior to initiation in 28.7 % of patients, serum creatinine in 22.8 %, alanine transaminase in 52.1 %, and total bilirubin in 64.1 %. Lack of baseline labs was more pronounced in patients initiated on a DOAC in the outpatient setting. Dosing and baseline lab collection for DOAC initiation were suboptimal in all settings analyzed. Targeted interventions are needed to ensure the safe and appropriate use of DOAC therapy.

Implementation of an Atrial Fibrillation Decision Aid Care Pathway in the Emergency Department Reduces Atrial Fibrillation Hospitalizations.

BACKGROUND: A straightforward decision aid to guide disposition of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients in the emergency department (ED) was developed for use by ED providers. The implementation of this decision aid in the ED has not been studied. METHODS: A pragmatic stepped-wedge cluster approach for analysis of retrospectively collected electronic health record data was used in which 5 hospitals were selected to commence the intervention at periodic intervals following an initial 1-year baseline assessment with 5 additional hospitals included in the comparison group (all in North Carolina). The primary end point of analysis was hospitalization rate. Hierarchical multivariable logistic regression analyses for admission as a function of the intervention while controlling for prespecified patient and hospital predictors were performed with clustering done at the hospital level. RESULTS: Between October 2017 and May 2020, a total of 11 458 patients (mean age, 71.4; 50.5% female) presented to 1 of the 10 hospitals with a primary diagnosis of AF. Absolute admission rate was reduced from 60.5% to 48.3% following the intervention (odds ratio, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.71-0.97]; P=0.016). After adjusting for covariates, the intervention was associated with a small increased rate of return to the ED for AF within 30 days of the initial presentation (1.6% to 2.7%; hazard ratio, 1.70 [95% CI, 1.26-2.31]; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that implementation of a novel decision aid to guide disposition of patients primary diagnosis of AF presenting to the ED was associated with a reduced admission rate independent of patient and hospital factors. Use of the protocol was associated with a small but significant increase in rate of repeat presentations for AF at 30-day follow-up. Use of a decision aid such as the one described here represents an important tool to reduce unnecessary AF hospitalizations.

Development and implementation of a standardized process for identifying ambulatory pharmacy clinical outcomes measures.

PURPOSE: There is minimal available guidance on the process for selection of clinical outcomes measures to demonstrate the impact of clinic-based pharmacists (CBPs) despite an increased need and desire for outcomes data. The overall aims of this project were to (1) develop a standardized process for identifying clinical outcomes measures impacted by CBPs and (2) identify and prioritize potential clinical outcomes measures to track for CBPs within 4 specialty clinic pilot sites. METHODS: To develop a standardized process for identification and prioritization of measures, 4 consecutive Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles were performed with 4 different specialty clinics serving as pilot sites. Following each pilot cycle, rapid cycle improvements were implemented. A modified Delphi methodology served as the framework for measure selection and included gathering expert stakeholder insights regarding importance, feasibility, and validity of potential measures. Measures were identified via environmental scan of existing validated quality metrics, clinical guidelines, and other relevant literature. RESULTS: The primary outcome for this project was the development and refinement of a standardized process for measure identification and prioritization. The secondary outcome was narrowed and ranked lists of stakeholder-prioritized measures for 4 CBP-embedded pilot specialty clinics. These lists included 12 cardiothoracic transplant, 6 breast oncology, 9 neurology, and 7 gynecologic oncology measures. CONCLUSION: The measure identification and prioritization process developed was successfully utilized to identify and prioritize outcomes measures to track for 4 CBP-embedded specialty clinics. Due to the successful use of the process in a variety of specialty clinics, the standardized process has significant potential for expansion.

Implementation and results of a standardized process for identifying ambulatory pharmacy clinical outcome measures.

PURPOSE: Given the variation in clinical practice, a clinician-centric, standardized process to implement and validate clinical pharmacy outcome measures was developed. SUMMARY: Four specialty clinics with embedded clinic-based pharmacists underwent an iterative process to define, refine, and implement the build of electronic health record functionality for outcome measure data collection and reporting. Starting with a list of identified measures, clinic workgroups met to discuss each measure and identify gaps in measure implementation. Information technology experts created electronic documentation forms with discrete data and reports based on criteria specified by the clinic workgroups. Of 32 outcome measures identified as priorities for demonstrating pharmacists' impact in previous research, 29 were implemented for routine monitoring through this project. Implementation strategies included identification through existing reporting, development of discrete documentation tools within the electronic health record, and development of new reporting tools from available discrete data fields. Time to implementation decreased from the first to the last pilot clinic implementation, as demonstrated through a 9-day reduction in electronic documentation form development and 31-day reduction in report development turnaround time. CONCLUSION: A standardized and reproducible process was developed for the implementation of clinical pharmacy outcomes measures for 4 specialty clinics. The process was successfully utilized to develop measurable outputs for a variety of oncology and nononcology specialty disease states based upon multidisciplinary stakeholder input.

Characteristics of patients presenting to emergency department for primary atrial fibrillation or flutter at an academic medical center.

OBJECTIVE: In the United States, atrial fibrillation (AF) accounts for over 400,000 hospitalizations annually. Emergency Department (ED) physicians have few resources available to guide AF/AFL (atrial flutter) patient triage, and the majority of these patients are subsequently admitted. Our aim is to describe the characteristics and disposition of AF/AFL patients presenting to the University of North Carolina (UNC) ED with the goal of developing a protocol to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations. METHODS: We performed a retrospective electronic medical chart review of AF/AFL patients presenting to the UNC ED over a 15-month period from January 2015 to March 2016. Demographic and ED visit variables were collected. Additionally, patients were designated as either having primary or secondary AF/AFL where primary AF/AFL patients were those in whom AF/AFL was the primary reason for ED presentation. These primary AF/AFL patients were categorized by AF symptom severity score according to the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Severity of Atrial Fibrillation (CCS-SAF) Scale. RESULTS: A total of 935 patients presented to the ED during the study period with 202 (21.5%) having primary AF/AFL. Of the primary AF/AFL patients, 189 (93.6%) had mild-moderate symptom severity (CCS-SAF ≤ 3). The majority of primary AF/AFL patients were hemodynamically stable, with a mean (SD) SBP of 123.8 (21.3), DBP of 76.6 (14.1), and ventricular rate of 93 (21.9). Patients with secondary AF/AFL were older 76 (13.1), p < 0.001 with a longer mean length of stay 6.1 (7.7), p = 0.31. Despite their mild-moderate symptom severity and hemodynamic stability, nearly 2/3 of primary AF/AFL patients were admitted. CONCLUSION: Developing a protocol to triage and discharge hemodynamically stable AF/AFL patients without severe AF/AFL symptoms to a dedicated AF/AFL clinic may help to conserve healthcare resources and potentially deliver more effective care.

An Atrial Fibrillation Transitions of Care Clinic Improves Atrial Fibrillation Quality Metrics.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess whether an atrial fibrillation (AF)-specific clinic is associated with improved adherence to American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) clinical performance and quality measures for adults with AF or atrial flutter. BACKGROUND: There are significant gaps in care of patients with AF, including underprescription of anticoagulation and treatment of AF risk factors. An AF specialized clinic was developed to reduce admissions for AF but may also be associated with improved quality of care. METHODS: This retrospective study compared adherence to ACC/AHA measures for patients who presented to the emergency department for AF between those discharged to a typical outpatient appointment and those discharged to a specialized AF transitions clinic run by an advanced practice provider and supervised by a cardiologist. Screening and treatment for common AF risk factors was also assessed. RESULTS: The study enrolled 78 patients into the control group and 160 patients into the intervention group. Patients referred to the specialized clinic were more likely to have stroke risk assessed and documented (99% vs. 26%; p < 0.01); be prescribed appropriate anticoagulation (97% vs. 88%; p = 0.03); and be screened for comorbidities such as tobacco use (100% vs. 14%; p < 0.01), alcohol use (92% vs. 60%; p < 0.01), and obstructive sleep apnea (90% vs. 13%; p < 0.01) and less likely to be prescribed an inappropriate combination of anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications (1% vs. 9%; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: An AF specialized clinic was associated with improved adherence to ACC/AHA clinical performance and quality measures for adult patients with AF.

Likelihood of Spontaneous Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation Using a Conservative Management Strategy Among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department.

Numerous emergency department (ED) atrial fibrillation (AF) protocols have been developed to reduce hospitalizations, focusing on the use of cardioversion in the ED. An alternative strategy of rate control with early specialty follow-up may be more widely applicable. The likelihood of spontaneous cardioversion with such a protocol is unknown. Between 2015 and 2018, 157 patients who presented to the ED with a primary diagnosis of AF and were hemodynamically stable and with low to moderate symptom severity were discharged with early follow-up at an AF specialty clinic. Rhythm at short-term (within 72 hours), within 30-day follow-up, and need for electrical cardioversion was tabulated. Various demographic and co-morbidity variables were assessed to determine their association with likelihood of spontaneous cardioversion. At an average of 2.3 days, 63% and within 30 days, 83% had spontaneous cardioversion. By 90 days, only 6.3% required electrical cardioversion. Diabetes (38% vs 69%, p <0.01), coronary artery disease (39% vs 66%, p = 0.02), reduced ejection fraction (40% vs 72%, p <0.01), dilated right atrium (43% vs 73%, p <0.01) and moderate-to-severely dilated left atrium (38% vs 78%, p <0.01) predicted those who were less likely to convert to sinus rhythm. Most patients who present to the ED with AF will spontaneously convert to sinus rhythm by short-term (2 to 3 days) follow-up with a rate control strategy. In conclusion, aggressive use of electrical cardioversion in the ED may be unnecessary in hemodynamically stable patients without severe symptoms.

Prescribing pharmacists in the ambulatory care setting: Experience at the University of North Carolina Medical Center.

PURPOSE: The prescribing authorities, clinical activities, and productivity documentation strategies of ambulatory care clinic-based pharmacists practicing within a large academic health system are described. SUMMARY: North Carolina law encourages progressive pharmacy practice through acquisition of the clinical pharmacist practitioner (CPP) designation. Qualified CPPs are authorized to provide collaborative drug therapy management services, including medication prescribing and ordering of laboratory tests, according to defined protocols and under physician supervision. The University of North Carolina Medical Center has approximately 30 CPPs deployed across a wide range of ambulatory care clinical practice sites. This article describes (1) the pharmacy department's implementation of an ambulatory care practice model, (2) the credentialing and privileging process leading to granting of prescribing privileges, (3) metrics used to demonstrate the impact of CPP activities, (4) recommended general criteria for ambulatory care practice site identification, and (5) strategies for overcoming barriers to successful implementation of ambulatory care-focused clinical pharmacist services. Aggregated intervention-tracking data compiled by seven of the medical center's CPP ambulatory care practice sites indicate extensive CPP involvement in direct patient care encounters and patient or provider consultations, with large numbers of medication-related interventions to support institutional cost-avoidance and revenue goals. CONCLUSION: CPPs deployed at the medical center's ambulatory care clinics have had a positive impact on clinical and cost outcomes, improving patient care through interventions, contributing to readmission reduction efforts, generating indirect revenue through cost avoidance, and generating new revenue through billing for patient visits.

Clinically relevant interaction between warfarin and scuppernongs, a quercetin containing muscadine grape: continued questions surrounding flavonoid-induced warfarin interactions.

We present a case of clinically relevant and probable interaction between warfarin and scuppernongs in a 73-year-old woman where ingestion of scuppernongs, a variety of quercetin-containing muscadine grapes, over a period of 2 months was associated with elevations in the International Normalised Ratio to supratherapeutic levels. While muscadine grapes and specifically scuppernongs are found primarily in Southeastern USA, the flavonoid in questionand quercetin is found worldwide as a dietary supplement.

Readiness for self-directed learning and academic performance in an abilities laboratory course.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between readiness for self-directed learning, academic performance on self-directed learning activities, and resources used to prepare for an abilities laboratory course. METHODS: The Self-directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) was administered to first-year (P1) doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) candidates at the University of Maryland. Additional data collected included final course grades, quiz scores, resources used to prepare for laboratory activities, and demographics. RESULTS: The mean SDLRS score was 148.6 ± 13.8. Sixty-eight students (44%) scored > 150, indicating a high readiness for self-directed learning. These students were more likely to complete assignments before the laboratory, meet in study groups, and report postgraduation plans to enter noncommunity pharmacy. No significant association was found between academic performance and the SDLRS. CONCLUSIONS: Readiness for self-directed learning is associated with self-directed learning habits, but may not be necessary for learning foundational knowledge, provided students are given specific instructions on what to study. Whether high readiness for self-directed learning is necessary for more complex learning or for self-identification of learning needs is unknown.

Paliperidone for schizophrenia.

PURPOSE: The efficacy, safety, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, drug-drug interactions, and administration of paliperidone for schizophrenia are reviewed. SUMMARY: Paliperidone is a benzisoxazole derivative and the principal active metabolite of risperidone. Representative of most oxidative metabolites, paliperidone is less lipophilic than risperidone. Like other atypical antipsychotics, paliperidone has a greater affinity for serotonin type 2A- receptor blockade relative to dopamine type 2-receptor blockade. Paliperidone's advanced-generation osmotic release delivery system allows for the avoidance of dosage adjustment when initiating therapy and may decrease the frequency of antido-paminergic effects that would occur with an immediate-release formulation. The pharmacologic actions of paliperidone are similar to other high potency atypical antipsychotics. The receptor-binding profile of paliperidone most closely resembles that of risperidone and ziprasidone. Paliperidone differs from risperidone and most other antipsychotics by its relatively low extent of enzymatic metabolism. A limited number of investigations have demonstrated the ability of paliperidone to produce significant improvements in psychopathology, functioning, and relapse in patients with schizophrenia when compared with placebo. Paliperidone appears to have a similar adverse-effect profile compared to risperidone, except for an increased rate of hyperprolactinemia. The recommended dose of paliperidone for the treatment of adults with schizophrenia is 6 mg every morning. CONCLUSION: Paliperidone does not offer any clear advantage over other atypical antipsychotics with a similar receptor-binding profile, such as risperidone and ziprasidone. Nevertheless, a few investigations have demonstrated the ability of paliperidone to produce significant improvements in psychopathology, functioning, and relapse when compared with placebo. Based on limited studies, the frequency of adverse effects, except for hyperprolactinemia, appears to favor paliperidone over risperidone.