Physicochemical Stability of Hospital Parenteral Nutrition Solutions: Effect of Changes in Composition and Storage Protocol.

(1) Background: Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a technique used for the administration of nutrients to patients for whom traditional routes cannot be used. It is performed using solutions with extremely complex compositions, which can give rise to a large number of interactions. These interactions can impact their stability and put the patient's life at risk. The aim of this study is to determine how changes in composition and storage protocol affect the stability of NP solutions. (2) Methods: Twenty-three samples were prepared according to routine clinical practice, with modifications to the concentration of some components. The samples were stored at room temperature (RT) and refrigerated (4 °C). Measurements of the droplet diameter, pH, density and viscosity were performed for both storage protocols on days 1, 3, 10 and 14. (3) Results: The samples with the lowest concentration of lipids (PN13-17) and proteins (PN18-22) showed a larger droplet diameter than the rest of the samples throughout the experiments. The USP limits were exceeded for some of the measurements of these sample groups. The pH density and viscosity remained relatively constant under the conditions studied. (4) Conclusions: The PN samples were considered stable and safe for administration under real-world conditions, but the samples with the lowest concentrations of lipids and proteins showed a tendency towards emulsion instability.

Electron Microscopy for the Stability Assessment of Parenteral Nutrition Admixtures: Focus on Precipitation.

(1) Background: parenteral nutrition (PN) is indispensable for patients unable to receive oral or enteral feeding. However, the complexity of PN solutions presents challenges regarding stability and compatibility. Precipitation reactions may occur. The most frequent is the formation of calcium phosphate (Ca-P). The different factors influencing these reactions must be considered to ensure patient safety. (2) Methods: eight paediatric PN solutions were prepared, following standard protocols. Samples were stored at room temperature and in a refrigerator. Electron microscopy, coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), was employed. Precipitates were analysed for composition and morphology. (3) Results: precipitates were observed in all samples, even at day 0. Crystalline structures, predominantly composed of calcium or magnesium, sometimes associated with chlorine or phosphorus, were detected. Additionally, amorphous precipitates, contained heterogeneous compositions, including unexpected elements, were identified. (4) Conclusions: various precipitates, primarily calcium- or magnesium-based, can form in PN solutions, although it is not expected that they can form under the real conditions of use. Calcium oxalate precipitation has been characterised, but the use of organic calcium and phosphate salts appears to mitigate calcium phosphate precipitation. Electron microscopy provides interesting results on NP precipitation, but sample preparation may present technical limitations that affect the interpretation of the results.

Evaluation of the Stability of Newborn Hospital Parenteral Nutrition Solutions.

(1) Background: parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions are an extremely complex mixture. It is composed of a multitude of chemical elements that can give rise to a large number of interactions that condition its stability and safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability of PN solutions for preterm infants. (2) Methods: eight samples were prepared according to the protocol for prescribing PN in preterm infants. Samples PN1-PN7 had the normal progression of macronutrients and standard amounts of micronutrients for a 1 kg preterm infant. The PN8 sample had a high concentration of electrolytes, with the idea of forcing stability limits. Samples were stored both at room temperature and under refrigeration. Measurements of globule size, pH, density, and viscosity were performed in both storage protocols on different days after processing. (3) Results: the changes in the composition of the samples did not affect the evolution of the stability at the different measurement times and temperatures. Viscosity was affected by the compositional changes made in the PN samples, but no alterations due to time or temperature were observed. Density and pH remained stable, without significant changes due to time, storage temperature, or different composition. (4) Conclusion: all samples remained stable during the study period and did not undergo significant alterations due to compositional changes or different experimental conditions.

Telemedicine informatics application for nutritional support surveillance of instutionalized persons in nursing homes from a hospital pharmacy service.

INTRODUCTION: Institutionalized patients who require nutrition support regularly visit the Unit of Nutrition Support of the Hospital Pharmacy  Service. During these visits, prior to establishing a nutrition regime and  followup scheme, an initial nutritional status assessment is performed.  Telemedicine and Telepharmacy have expanded in recent years for remote  monitoring of institutionalized persons. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the implementation of a Telemedicine informatics application for nutritional support surveillance of instutionalized  persons in nursing homes from a hospital pharmacy service. Method: A multidisciplinary team led by the Hospital Pharmacy Service was  created. Data of institutionalized persons in nursing homes needing artificial  nutritional support was extracted from the SILICON prescription system and  the internal ecords of the hospital pharmacy service. Nursing homes were  selected on the basis of their previous experience using the Telemedicine  informatics application TELEA. The following nutritional  support variables were  assessed: score on Mini-Nutritional Assessment questionnaire; a 24-h  food record; pressure ulcer control; and laboratory parameters. The existing  information flow between nursing homes and hospital specialists was analyzed.  The functionalities available on TELEA were considered. RESULTS: In 2021, over 300 institutionalized persons from 28 nursing homes  were incluided for nutritional support surveillance program of the hospital  pharmacy service. The project was implemented in two nursing homes serving  38 patients, although only 13 were involved in the nutrition surveillance  program of the Nutrition Support Unit. Nutritional status assessment and  nutritional support surveillance reports were adapted to the Telemedicine  informatics application. Paper reports were replaced  with electronic data or  online questionnaires available on the informatics application. An information  flow protocol was established. An instantaneous messaging and alert system  was activated, which allowed continuous communication. Some Telepharmacy  requests were categorized as preferential when the clinical status of the patient  so required. All the information generated during the nutritional status  assessment and nutritional support surveillance process was integrated into  the electronic medical history of each patient. CONCLUSIONS: TELEA-based nutritional support surveillance facilitates the  continuum of care by enabling direct communication between nursing homes  and secondary care for institutionalized persons. This model makes it possible  to record nutrition-related data on the electronic medical history of patients  through a Telepharmacy process. This model also eliminates paper  prescriptions and medical reports, and unnecessary travels. A nutritional status  profile should also be made available to facilitate nutrition surveillance in institutionalized persons with chronic diseases. That  would be the first step for a new integrated healthcare informatics application  for frail/polymorbid elderly patients.

Introducción: Los pacientes institucionalizados que requieren soporte  nutricional artificial acuden de forma periódica a las consultas de la Unidad de  Soporte Nutricional del Servicio de Farmacia. En ellas se realiza una  valoración nutricional inicial, a partir de la cual se establece la pauta nutricional  y el plan de seguimiento. La Telemedicina y la Telefarmacia se han  expandido en los últimos años para la monitorización remota de personas  institucionalizadas. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la implementación de una aplicación informática de Telemedicina para la vigilancia del soporte nutricional de personas  nstitucionalizadas en residencias de ancianos desde un servicio de farmacia hospitalaria.Método: Se formó un equipo multidisciplinar liderado por el Servicio de Farmacia. Los datos de pacientes institucionalizados que requieren soporte nutricional artificial se obtuvieron del programa SILICON y de los  registros internos del Servicio de Farmacia. Se eligieron las primeras  residencias candidatas según la experiencia previa en el manejo de la  aplicación informática de asistencia domiciliaria. Se analizaron llas variables de  soporte nutricional necesarias para el seguimiento nutricional: Mini  Nutritional Assessment, recordatorio de ingestas de las últimas 24 horas,  control de úlceras por presión y parámetros analíticos. Se analizó el flujo de  información existente entre las residencias sociosanitarias y la atención  hospitalaria y se valoraron las opciones disponibles a través de la plataforma  tecnológica de asistencia domiciliaria. RESULTADOS: El Servicio de Farmacia realizó seguimiento nutricional a más de  300 pacientes institucionalizados en 28 residencias sociosanitarias en el año  2021. El proyecto se implantó en dos residencias sociosanitarias que cuentan  con 38 pacientes institucionalizados, aunque solo 13 pacientes estaban en  seguimiento por la Unidad de Soporte Nutricional. Todos los registros  generados en la valoración y seguimiento nutricional se adecuaron a la  aplicación informática de asistencia domiciliaria, se cambiaron los registros en  papel por información incluida en la plataforma o cuestionarios online  facilitados a través de la misma. Además, se protocolizó el flujo de información  generada y se activó un sistema de mensajería con alertas que  permite una comunicación continua. En caso de que la situación clínica  del  paciente lo requiera se puede programar una teleconsulta preferente.Toda la  información generada en el proceso de valoración y seguimientonutricional de  cada paciente se integró en la historia clínica electrónica. CONCLUSIONES: El seguimiento nutricional a través de la aplicación informática de asistencia domiciliaria facilita la continuidad asistencial por el establecimiento de una comunicación directa entre las residencias  sociosanitarias y la atención hospitalaria, permitiendo la integración de la  información nutricional de los pacientes en la historia clínica electrónica  mediante un proceso de Telefarmacia. Se han eliminado las prescripciones en  papel, informes clínicos impresos y los desplazamientos innecesarios. El  desarrollo de este perfil podría ser extensible al seguimiento nutricional de  pacientes con patologías crónicas, y ser el precedente de un nuevo programa  de cuidado integral del paciente anciano frágil o pluripatológico.

Aplicación informática de Telemedicina parala vigilancia del soporte nutricional de personas institucionalizadas en residencias de ancianos desde un servicio de farmacia hospitalaria / Telemedicine informatics application for nutritional support surveillance of instutionalized persons in nursing homes from a hospital pharmacy service

Introducción: Los pacientes institucionalizados que requieren soporte nutricional artificial acuden de forma periódica a las consultas de la Unidad deSoporte Nutricional del Servicio de Farmacia. En ellas se realiza una valoración nutricional inicial, a partir de la cual se establece la pauta nutricional y elplan de seguimiento. La Telemedicina y la Telefarmacia se han expandido enlos últimos años para la monitorización remota de personas institucionalizadas.Objetivo: Evaluar la implementación de una aplicación informática deTelemedicina para la vigilancia del soporte nutricional de personas institucionalizadas en residencias de ancianos desde un servicio de farmaciahospitalaria.Método: Se formó un equipo multidisciplinar liderado por el Servicio deFarmacia. Los datos de pacientes institucionalizados que requieren soportenutricional artificial se obtuvieron del programa SILICON y de los registrosinternos del Servicio de Farmacia. Se eligieron las primeras residenciascandidatas según la experiencia previa en el manejo de la aplicación informática de asistencia domiciliaria. Se analizaron llas variables de soportenutricional necesarias para el seguimiento nutricional: Mini NutritionalAssessment, recordatorio de ingestas de las últimas 24 horas, control deúlceras por presión y parámetros analíticos. Se analizó el flujo de información existente entre las residencias sociosanitarias y la atención hospitalariay se valoraron las opciones disponibles a través de la plataforma tecnológica de asistencia domiciliaria.Resultados: El Servicio de Farmacia realizó seguimiento nutricional amás de 300 pacientes institucionalizados en 28 residencias sociosanitariasen el año 2021. (AU)

Introduction: Institutionalized patients who require nutrition supportregularly visit the Unit of Nutrition Support of the Hospital Pharmacy Service. During these visits, prior to establishing a nutrition regime and followup scheme, an initial nutritional status assessment is performed. Telemedicine and Telepharmacy have expanded in recent years for remotemonitoring of institutionalized persons.Objective: To evaluate the implementation of a Telemedicine informaticsapplication for nutritional support surveillance of instutionalized persons innursing homes from a hospital pharmacy service.Method: A multidisciplinary team led by the Hospital Pharmacy Servicewas created. Data of institutionalized persons in nursing homes needingartificial nutritional support was extracted from the SILICON prescriptionsystem and the internal ecords of the hospital pharmacy service. Nursing homes were selected on the basis of their previous experience usingthe Telemedicine informatics application TELEA. The following nutritional support variables were assessed: score on Mini-Nutritional Assessmentquestionnaire; a 24-h food record; pressure ulcer control; and laboratoryparameters. The existing information flow between nursing homes andhospital specialists was analyzed. The functionalities available on TELEAwere considered.Results: In 2021, over 300 institutionalized persons from 28 nursinghomes were incluided for nutritional support surveillance program of thehospital pharmacy service. The project was implemented in two nursinghomes serving 38 patients, although only 13 were involved in the nutrition surveillance program of the Nutrition Support Unit. Nutritional statusassessment and nutritional support surveillance reports were adapted tothe Telemedicine informatics application. (AU)

Stability of lipid emulsion in total parenteral nutrition: An overview of literature.

BACKGOUND AND AIMS: Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is an extremely complex mixture. The multitude of chemical compounds involved can give rise to numerous reactions that condition its stability. We set out to review the existing literature on different issues related to stability, and which are still of concern in the hospital environment; such as the stability of the lipid emulsion. In addition, we analyse other related factors and parameters that allow us to predict the stability of TPN based on the composition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: we searched PubMed and Google Scholar, over the date range 1995-2019 for relevant studies about TPN stability. We included experimental studies where the physical stability of the lipid emulsion in TPN had been analysed. We applied specific exclusion criteria. RESULTS: we included 20 papers in this review of TPN stability. The studies combined different analytical techniques to assess the stability. In all the studies, the mean droplet diameter (MDD) is measured and the stability analysis is completed with other measurements. Temperature and components concentration are also considered. CONCLUSIONS: studies on the stability of TPN used differing components with different chemical characteristics and their results can be difficult to extrapolate. There is no clear consensus about the composition of the mixtures and there is also great variety in the analytical techniques that were used to analyse stability. It is necessary to conduct new studies to update information on TPN stability.

Real-world prevalence and consequences of potential drug-drug interactions in the first-wave COVID-19 treatments.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Initial treatment recommendations of COVID-19 were based on the use of antimicrobial drugs and immunomodulators. Although information on drug interactions was available for other pathologies, there was little evidence in the treatment of COVID-19. The objective of this study was to analyse the potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) derived from the medication used in COVID-19 patients in the first pandemic wave and to evaluate the real consequences of such interactions in clinical practice. METHODS: Cohort, retrospective and single-centre study carried out in a third-level hospital. Adult patients, admitted with suspected COVID-19, that received at least one dose of hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, interferon beta 1-b or tocilizumab and with any pDDIs according to "Liverpool Drug Interaction Group" between March and May 2020 were included. The possible consequences of pDDIs at the QTc interval level or any other adverse event according to the patient's medical record were analysed. A descriptive analysis was carried out to assess possible factors that may affect the QTc interval prolongation. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Two hundred and eighteen (62.3%) patients of a total of 350 patients admitted with COVID-19 had at least one pDDI. There were 598 pDDIs. Thirty-eight pDDIs (6.3%) were categorized as not recommended or contraindicated. The mean value difference between baseline and pDDI posterior ECG was 412.3 ms ± 25.8 ms vs. 426.3 ms ± 26.7 ms; p < 0.001. Seven patients (5.7%) had a clinically significant alteration of QTc. A total of 44 non-cardiological events (7.3%) with a possible connection to a pDDI were detected. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: The number of pDDIs in patients admitted for COVID-19 in the first pandemic wave was remarkably high. However, clinical consequences occurred in a low percentage of patients. Interactions involving medications that would be contraindicated for concomitant administration are rare. Knowledge of these pDDIs and their consequences could help to establish appropriate therapeutic strategies in patients with COVID-19 or other diseases with these treatments.

Experiencia con colistina nebulizada en pacientes con bronquiectasias no fibrosis quística colonizadas por Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Experience with nebulised colistin in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis colonised with Pseudomonas aeruginosa

INTRODUCCIÓN: La colonización/infección crónica por Pseudomonas aeruginosa de las bronquiectasias se relaciona con daño anatómico, deterioro más rápido de la función pulmonar, aumento del número de exacerbaciones y mayor morbi-mortalidad. La colistina nebulizada disminuye la carga bacteriana, esperándose una reducción en número y gravedad de las exacerbaciones y retraso del deterioro pulmonar. El objetivo principal fue valorar si el tratamiento con colistina nebulizada, durante al menos 6 meses, reduce el número de ingresos y visitas a urgencias. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo y no intervencionista llevado a cabo en una estructura organizativa de gestión integrada. Se seleccionaron pacientes con bronquiectasias no fibrosis quística, mayores de 18 años, colonizados / infectados por P. aeruginosa que recibieron al menos 6 meses colistina nebulizada. De la historia clínica informatizada (IANUS(R) V.04.20.0503) y de la receta electrónica del SERGAS, se recogieron datos clínicos, microbiológicos y de tratamiento de los pacientes, que fueron divididos en dos periodos de tiempo: 1) 6 meses pretratamiento y durante el tratamiento y 2) 12 meses pretratamiento y durante el tratamiento, en aquellos pacientes que completaron 1 año de tratamiento. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 44 pacientes y de ellos, 29 (65,9%) tuvieron un seguimiento de 12 meses. El uso de colistina nebulizada disminuyó de forma significativa el número de visitas a urgencias (a los 6 meses), la frecuencia y duración de las hospitalizaciones (a los 6 y 12 meses), el consumo de antibióticos (a los 6 y 12 meses) y los cultivos positivos para P. aeruginosa. El tratamiento fue bien tolerado en casi todos los pacientes. CONCLUSIONES: El tratamiento con colistina nebulizada durante 6 y 12 meses de bronquiectasias no fibrosis quística, colonizadas / infectadas por P. aeruginosa, parece beneficioso para el paciente desde el punto de vista clínico y de calidad de vida y podría reducir el coste económico del proceso

INTRODUCTION: Chronic colonisation/infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa of the bronchiectasis is related to a faster deterioration of lung function, an increase in the number of exacerbations and a higher morbidity and mortality. Nebulised colistin decreases bacteria load. Therefore, a reduction in the number and in the severity of exacerbations and a delay of pulmonary decline is expected. The main objective is to evaluate if the treatment with nebulised colistin, for at least 6 months reduces the number of admissions and visits to the emergency department. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, retrospective and non-interventionist study carried out in an organizational structure with an integrated management. Patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis colonised / infected by P. aeruginosa, older than 18 years, were selected. Patients must have received nebulized colistin during at least 6 months. Clinical, microbiological and therapeutic data from the patients were collected from the SERGAS computerized clinical history (IANUS(R) V.4.20.0503) and the electronic prescription, which were divided into two time periods: 1) 6 months pre-treatment and during the treatment and 2) 12 months pre-treatment and during the treatment, in those who completed 1 year of treatment. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were included and of these, 29 (65.9%) had a follow-up of 12 months. The use of nebulized colistin decreased significantly the number of visits to the emergency (at 6 months), the frequency and duration of hospitalizations admissions (at 6 and 12 months), the antibiotic consumption (at 6 and 12 months) and the positive cultures. The treatment was well tolerated in almost all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment with nebulised colistin during 6 and 12 months of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, colonised/infected by P. aeruginosa, seems beneficial for the patient, from the clinical and quality of life point of view, and could reduce the economic cost of the process