Effects of hospital pharmacist interventions on health outcomes in older polymedicated inpatients: a scoping review.

PURPOSE: To identify the evidence that supports the effect of interventions made by hospital pharmacists, individually or in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, in terms of healthcare outcomes, a more effective utilization of resources and lower costs in older polymedicated inpatients. METHODS: We searched the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. We also conducted a hand search by checking the references cited in the primary studies and studies included in reviews identified during the process of research. Four review authors working by pairs searched for studies, extracted data, and drew up the results tables. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies were included in the review. In 13 of them pharmacists carried out their intervention exclusively while the patients were in hospital, whereas in 13 interventions were delivered during admission and after hospital discharge. Outcomes identified were mortality, length of stay, visits to the emergency department, readmissions and reported quality of life, among others. Pharmacist interventions were found to be beneficial in fifteen studies, specifically on hospital readmissions, visits to the emergency department and healthcare costs. CONCLUSION: There is no hard evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of hospital pharmacist interventions in older polymedicated patients. Mortality does not show as a relevant outcome. Other health care outcomes, such as hospital readmissions, visits to the emergency department and healthcare costs, seem to be more relevant and amenable to change. Interventions that include pharmacists in multidisciplinary geriatric teams seem to be more promising that isolated pharmacist interventions. Interventions prolonged after hospital discharge seem to be more appropriate that interventions delivered only during hospital admission. Better-designed studies should be conducted in the future to provide further insight into the effect of hospital pharmacist interventions.

Alteración cardíaca en profesional sanitario con SARS-Cov2 tratado con hidroxicloroquina / Heart disorders in the context of hydroxychloroquine treatment for SARS-Cov2: a case report

Presentamos el caso clínico de una profesional sanitaria que ha sufrido una probable reacción adversa por hidroxicloroquina en el tratamiento dirigido para el SARS-Cov2. La paciente estuvo en tratamiento con hidroxicloroquina, azitromicina y cefditoreno y tras finalizar el tratamiento presentó alteraciones cardiovasculares tales como insuficiencia cardíaca y taquicardias. En el momento actual parece que el balance beneficio-riesgo es desfavorable al uso de la hidroxicloroquina en el tratamiento de la enfermedad por SARS-Cov2

We present the clinical case of a healthcare professional who has suffered a probable adverse reaction by hydroxychloroquine in the targeted treatment for SARS-Cov2. The patient was treated with hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, and cefditoren, and after completing the treatment, she had cardiovascular disorders such as heart failure and tachycardia. At present, the benefit-risk balance appears to be unfavorable to the use of hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of SARS-Cov2 disease

Impacto de las alertas interactivas modales en la prescripción informatizada de ácido valproico y meropenem / Effect of modal computer-based alerts on the prescription of valproic acid and meropenem

Objetivo: Analizar el impacto de las alertas interactivas modales en la incidencia de la prescripción concomitante de ácido valproico (AVP) y meropenem. Material y método: Estudio analítico de intervención desarrollado en un hospital de tercer nivel de 11 meses de duración. Se seleccionaron aquellos pacientes ingresados con diagnóstico de epilepsia y en tratamiento con AVP y meropenem de forma concomitante. En el sistema de prescripción electrónica asistida se incluyó una alerta modal para que avisase al médico cuando se prescribiese de forma conjunta el AVP y meropenem. Para medir el impacto de esta alerta se compararon los resultados obtenidos con los de un periodo anterior en el que la alerta era no modal. Resultados: El número de pacientes en tratamiento concomitante con AVP y meropenen disminuyó de 13 a 4 pacientes (p = 0,046). Sin embargo, disminuyeron el número de peticiones de niveles de AVP y aumentó el número medio de días conjuntos de prescripción de 4,7 a 8,75. Conclusiones: La implementación de alertas modales disminuye la exposición de los pacientes al tratamiento concomitante de meropenem y AVP (AU)

Objective: To analyze the effect of modal computer-based alerts on the concomitant prescription of valproic acid (VPA) and meropenem. Material and method: Analytical intervention study conducted in a tertiary hospital for eleven months. Hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of epilepsy and treated with VPA and meropenem in concomitant therapy were included. In the computerized prescription order entry software an automatic non-modal alert was reconverted to a modal one. This was triggered when the physician introduced VPA and meropenem together in the same prescription. To measure the effect of this alert the prescription habits were compared with a previous period in which the alert was not modal. Results: Modal computer-based alert modified the prescription habit by reducing the number of patients with concomitant treatment from 13 to 4 (P = 0.046). However, it was notable that the number of requests for VPA serum levels decreased, and the average number of concomitant days of treatment rose from 4.7 to 8.75 in those patients in which none of the drugs was suspended. Conclusions: The implementation of modal computer-based alerts reduces patient exposure to concomitant treatment with meropenem and VPA (AU)

[Effect of modal computer-based alerts on the prescription of valproic acid and meropenem]. / Impacto de las alertas interactivas modales en la prescripción informatizada de ácido valproico y meropenem.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of modal computer-based alerts on the concomitant prescription of valproic acid (VPA) and meropenem. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Analytical intervention study conducted in a tertiary hospital for eleven months. Hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of epilepsy and treated with VPA and meropenem in concomitant therapy were included. In the computerized prescription order entry software an automatic non-modal alert was reconverted to a modal one. This was triggered when the physician introduced VPA and meropenem together in the same prescription. To measure the effect of this alert the prescription habits were compared with a previous period in which the alert was not modal. RESULTS: Modal computer-based alert modified the prescription habit by reducing the number of patients with concomitant treatment from 13 to 4 (P=.046). However, it was notable that the number of requests for VPA serum levels decreased, and the average number of concomitant days of treatment rose from 4.7 to 8.75 in those patients in which none of the drugs was suspended. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of modal computer-based alerts reduces patient exposure to concomitant treatment with meropenem and VPA.

Análisis de la interacción ácido valproico-meropenem en pacientes hospitalizados / Analysis of the valproic acid-meropenem interaction in hospitalised patients

Introducción: Existen referencias en la literatura acerca de la gravedad de la interacción entre el ácido valproico y el meropenem. Sin embargo, las recomendaciones en cuanto a su manejo son contradictorias, recomendándose en algunos estudios la monitorización más estrecha del antiepiléptico si se emplean juntos y en otros contraindicando su uso concomitante. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la interacción entre el ácido valproico y el meropenem y evaluar el impacto de la intervención farmacéutica sobre la utilización de estos fármacos en pacientes hospitalizados. Material y métodos: Estudio de la prescripción concomitante de ácido valproico y meropenem en un hospital de tercer nivel de 1.080 camas dividido en dos periodos: uno retrospectivo y observacional, el otro prospectivo y con intervención farmacéutica. Se compararon los hábitos de prescripción entre ambos periodos. Resultados: Un total de 26 pacientes recibieron ácido valproico y meropenem simultáneamente (13 en cada periodo), no alcanzando ninguno niveles terapéuticos del antiepiléptico durante el tratamiento. La intervención farmacéutica cambió los hábitos de prescripción, disminuyendo a la mitad los días de tratamiento concomitante, cambiando la antibioterapia y/o monitorizando más estrechamente el antiepiléptico. Conclusiones: La interacción entre el ácido valproico y el meropenem es grave, especialmente por la rapidez con la que disminuyen los niveles del antiepiléptico. Se debe evitar el uso concomitante de ambos fármacos, sustituyendo la antibioterapia de manera empírica o según los patrones de resistencia del microorganismo para mantener el mismo tratamiento anticomicial (AU)

Introduction: Published data demonstrate a serious interaction between valproic acid and meropenem. However, recommendations about the management of concomitant treatment are contradictory; some experts recommend closer monitoring of valproic acid serum concentrations and others recommend avoiding concurrent therapy. The purpose of this study is to critically analyse the interaction and to evaluate the impact of pharmaceutical intervention in the use of these drugs in hospitalised patients. Material and methods: Study of the concomitant prescription of valproic acid and meropenem in a general hospital of 1,080 beds divided in to two periods; the first period was retrospective and observational and it was followed by a prospective period involving pharmaceutical intervention. The prescription habits between both periods were compared. Results: A total of 26 patients received concurrent treatment with valproic acid and meropenem (13 per period) and none of them maintained therapeutic serum levels of the antiepileptic drug. Pharmaceutical intervention modified prescription habits, reducing by half the number of days of concomitant treatment, changing the antibiotherapy and/or monitoring serum concentrations more often. Conclusions: The interaction between valproic acid and meropenem is serious, especially because of the dramatic decrease in the antiepileptic serum concentrations. The concomitant use of both drugs should be avoided, replacing the antibiotherapy empirically, or according to the resistance profiles of the microorganism and maintaining the same the anti-epileptic treatment (AU)

Analisis modal de fallos y efectos del proceso de prescripcion, validacion y dispensacion de medicamentos / Failure modes and effects analysis in the prescription, validation and dispensing process

Objetivo Aplicacion de un analisis modal de fallos y efectos al proceso de prescripcion, validacion y dispensacion de medicamentos en pacientes hospitalizados. Metodos Un grupo de trabajo analizo los pasos que componian el proceso desde la prescripcion medica hasta la dispensacion, identificandose los mas criticos y estableciendo los modos potenciales de fallo que podrian producir un error. Se analizaron posibles causas, sus efectos potenciales y los sistemas de control existentes para prevenir su aparicion. Se calculo el Hazard Score, seleccionandose los que tenian una puntuacion (..) (AU)

Objective To apply a failure modes and effects analysis to the prescription, validation and dispensing process for hospitalised patients. Methods A work group analysed all of the stages included in the process from prescription to dispensing, identifying the most critical errors and establishing potential failure modes which could produce a mistake. The possible causes, their potential effects, and the existing control systems were analysed to try and stop them from developing. The Hazard Score was calculated, choosing those that were ≥ 8, and a Severity Index = 4 was selected independently of the hazard Score value. Corrective measures and an implementation plan were proposed. Results A flow diagram that describes the whole process was obtained. A risk analysis was conducted of the chosen critical points, indicating: failure mode, cause, effect, severity, probability, Hazard Score, suggested preventative measure and strategy to achieve so. Failure modes chosen: Prescription on the nurse's form; progress or treatment order (paper); Prescription to incorrect patient; Transcription error by nursing staff and pharmacist; Error preparing the trolley. Conclusions By applying a failure modes and effects analysis to the prescription, validation and dispensing process, we have been able to identify critical aspects, the stages in which errors may occur and the causes. It has allowed us to analyse the effects on the safety of the process, and establish measures to prevent or reduce them (AU)

[Failure modes and effects analysis in the prescription, validation and dispensing process]. / Análisis modal de fallos y efectos del proceso de prescripción, validación y dispensación de medicamentos.

OBJECTIVE: To apply a failure modes and effects analysis to the prescription, validation and dispensing process for hospitalised patients. METHODS: A work group analysed all of the stages included in the process from prescription to dispensing, identifying the most critical errors and establishing potential failure modes which could produce a mistake. The possible causes, their potential effects, and the existing control systems were analysed to try and stop them from developing. The Hazard Score was calculated, choosing those that were ≥ 8, and a Severity Index = 4 was selected independently of the hazard Score value. Corrective measures and an implementation plan were proposed. RESULTS: A flow diagram that describes the whole process was obtained. A risk analysis was conducted of the chosen critical points, indicating: failure mode, cause, effect, severity, probability, Hazard Score, suggested preventative measure and strategy to achieve so. Failure modes chosen: Prescription on the nurse's form; progress or treatment order (paper); Prescription to incorrect patient; Transcription error by nursing staff and pharmacist; Error preparing the trolley. CONCLUSIONS: By applying a failure modes and effects analysis to the prescription, validation and dispensing process, we have been able to identify critical aspects, the stages in which errors may occur and the causes. It has allowed us to analyse the effects on the safety of the process, and establish measures to prevent or reduce them.

[Analysis of the valproic acid-meropenem interaction in hospitalised patients]. / Análisis de la interacción ácido valproico-meropenem en pacientes hospitalizados.

INTRODUCTION: Published data demonstrate a serious interaction between valproic acid and meropenem. However, recommendations about the management of concomitant treatment are contradictory; some experts recommend closer monitoring of valproic acid serum concentrations and others recommend avoiding concurrent therapy. The purpose of this study is to critically analyse the interaction and to evaluate the impact of pharmaceutical intervention in the use of these drugs in hospitalised patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study of the concomitant prescription of valproic acid and meropenem in a general hospital of 1,080 beds divided in to two periods; the first period was retrospective and observational and it was followed by a prospective period involving pharmaceutical intervention. The prescription habits between both periods were compared. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients received concurrent treatment with valproic acid and meropenem (13 per period) and none of them maintained therapeutic serum levels of the antiepileptic drug. Pharmaceutical intervention modified prescription habits, reducing by half the number of days of concomitant treatment, changing the antibiotherapy and/or monitoring serum concentrations more often. CONCLUSIONS: The interaction between valproic acid and meropenem is serious, especially because of the dramatic decrease in the antiepileptic serum concentrations. The concomitant use of both drugs should be avoided, replacing the antibiotherapy empirically, or according to the resistance profiles of the microorganism and maintaining the same the anti-epileptic treatment.

Nuevas tecnologías aplicadas al proceso de dispensación de medicamentos. Análisis de errores y factores contribuyentes / New technologies applied to the medication-dispensing process, error analysis and contributing factors

Objetivo Calcular la prevalencia de los errores producidos en diferentes sistemas de dispensación de medicamentos, las etapas en que se producen y los factores contribuyentes. Métodos Estudio observacional prospectivo. Se revisaron las etapas del proceso de dispensación en 5 sistemas de dispensación: stock o botiquín de planta, sistema de distribución de medicamentos en dosis unitaria (SDMDU) sin prescripción electrónica asistida (PEA), SDMDU con PEA, sistema automatizado de dispensación (SAD) sin PEA y SAD con PEA. Se identificaron los errores de dispensación, las etapas en que ocurrieron dichos errores y sus factores contribuyentes. Resultados De 54.169 oportunidades de error, se detectaron 2.181 errores. Tasa de error: stock, 10,7%; SDMDU sin PEA, 3,7%; SDMDU con PEA, 2,2%; SAD sin PEA, 20,7%; SAD con PEA, 2,9%. Etapa más frecuente en la que se produce el error: stock, preparación del pedido; SDMDU sin PEA y con PEA, llenado del carro; SAD sin PEA y con PEA, llenado del SAD. Error más frecuente: stock, SAD sin PEA y con PEA, omisión; SDMDU con PEA, diferente cantidad de medicamento; SDMDU sin PEA, sobra medicamento. Factor contribuyente: stock, SAD sin PEA y con PEA, rotura de stock/desabastecimiento; SDMDU con PEA, personal sin experiencia y sistema de comunicación deficiente entre profesionales; SDMDU sin PEA, sistema de comunicación deficiente entre profesionales. Conclusiones La aplicación de nuevas tecnologías en el proceso de dispensación ha aumentado su seguridad, concretamente la implantación de la PEA ha permitido disminuir los errores en el proceso de dispensación (AU)

Objective Calculate error prevalence occurred in different medication-dispensing systems, the stages of occurrence, and contributing factors. Methodology Prospective observational study. The staging of the dispensing process were reviewed in five dispensing systems: Stock, Unitary-Dose dispensing systems (UDDS) without Computerized Prescription Order Entry (CPOE), CPOE-UDDS, Automated Dispensing Systems (ADS) without CPOE and CPOE-ADS. Dispensing errors were identified, together with the stages of occurrence of such errors and their contributing factors.Results2,181 errors were detected among 54,169 opportunities of error. Error-rate: Stock, 10.7%; no-CPOE-UDDS, 3.7%, CPOE-UDDS, 2.2%, no-CPOE-ADS, 20.7%; CPOE-ADS, 2.9%. Most frequent stage when error occurs: Stock, preparation of order; no-CPOE-UDDS and CPOE-UDDS, filling of the unit dose cart; no-CPOE-ADS and CPOE-ADS, filling of the ADS. Most frequent error: Stock, no-CPOE-ADS and CPOE-ADS, omission; CPOE-UDDS, different amount of drug and no-CPOE-UDDS, extra medication. Contributing factor: Stock, CPOE-ADS and no-CPOE-ADS, stock out/supply problems; CPOE-UDDS, inexperienced personnel and deficient communication system between professionals; no-CPOE-UDDS, deficient communication system between professionals. Conclusions Applying new technologies to the dispensing process has increased its safety, particularly, implementation of CPOE has enabled to reduce dispensing errors (AU)

[New technologies applied to the medication-dispensing process, error analysis and contributing factors]. / Nuevas tecnologías aplicadas al proceso de dispensación de medicamentos. Análisis de errores y factores contribuyentes.

OBJECTIVE: Calculate error prevalence occurred in different medication-dispensing systems, the stages of occurrence, and contributing factors. METHODOLOGY: Prospective observational study. The staging of the dispensing process were reviewed in five dispensing systems: Stock, Unitary-Dose dispensing systems (UDDS) without Computerized Prescription Order Entry (CPOE), CPOE-UDDS, Automated Dispensing Systems (ADS) without CPOE and CPOE-ADS. Dispensing errors were identified, together with the stages of occurrence of such errors and their contributing factors. RESULTS: 2,181 errors were detected among 54,169 opportunities of error. Error-rate: Stock, 10.7%; no-CPOE-UDDS, 3.7%, CPOE-UDDS, 2.2%, no-CPOE-ADS, 20.7%; CPOE-ADS, 2.9%. Most frequent stage when error occurs: Stock, preparation of order; no-CPOE-UDDS and CPOE-UDDS, filling of the unit dose cart; no-CPOE-ADS and CPOE-ADS, filling of the ADS. Most frequent error: Stock, no-CPOE-ADS and CPOE-ADS, omission; CPOE-UDDS, different amount of drug and no-CPOE-UDDS, extra medication. Contributing factor: Stock, CPOE-ADS and no-CPOE-ADS, stock out/supply problems; CPOE-UDDS, inexperienced personnel and deficient communication system between professionals; no-CPOE-UDDS, deficient communication system between professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Applying new technologies to the dispensing process has increased its safety, particularly, implementation of CPOE has enabled to reduce dispensing errors.

Análisis de los fallos detectados en el proceso de dispensación de medicamentos y los factores contribuyentes / Analysis of failures detected during the medication-dispensing process and their contributing factors

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Hypoxic-ischemic injury in the immature brain--key vascular and cellular players.

Over the past decade, much has been learned about the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying hypoxic-ischemic (H-I) injury in the preterm human brain. The pathogenesis of H-I brain injury is now understood to be multifactorial and quite complex, depending on (i) the severity, intensity and timing of asphyxia, (ii) selective ischemic vulnerability, (iii) the degree of maturity of the brain, and (iv) the characteristics of the ensuing reoxygenation/reperfusion phase. Each of these factors has differential effects on the distinct cell populations in the brain, with certain specific cell types being particularly vulnerable in the developing brain. In this review, we discuss the role of the blood vessels and the distinct cell populations, which are the mayor constitutive elements of the immature brain, in the pathophysiology of H-I lesion. The presence of fragile and poorly anastomosed blood vessels and the existence of disturbances in the blood-brain barrier alter blood flow, vascular tone and nutrient delivery. Brain cells are sensitive to the overstimulation of neurotransmitter receptors, particularly glutamate receptors, which can provoke excitotoxicity leading to the death of neurons and other cells such as astrocytes and oligodendrocyte progenitors. Microglial activation by means of excitatory amino acids and by leukocyte migration initiates the inflammatory response giving rise to an increase in regional cerebral blood flow and promoting astrocyte and oligodendrocyte injuries. A better understanding of these aspects of H-I injury will contribute to more efficient strategies for the management of the associated damage.

Biological activity of complexes derived from thiophene-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone. Crystal structure of [Ni(C(6)H(6)N(3)S(2))(2)].

The crystal structure of [Ni(L(III))(2)] (1), where HL(III)=thiophene-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone, consists of monomeric entities where the nickel(II) ions exhibit distorted square planar geometry. The two bidentate thiosemicarbazone ligands are centrosymmetric. C...S van der Waals' links and nonbonded intramolecular interactions are present in the structure. The biological activity of 1 is compared to that of the free ligand, and the cobalt(III) (2) and copper(II) (3) derivatives. The observed order of cytotoxicity against melanoma B16F10 and Friend erythroleukemia cells is: 1< or =ligand<2<3. A structure-activity correlation using Extended-Hückel MO calculations is described.

Análisis y evaluación del coste de farmacia en los hospitales del Insalud: año 1998 / Analysis and evaluation of pharmacy expense by Insalud hospitals in 1998

El objetivo de este estudio es analizar y evaluar el consumo y coste de los productos farmacéuticos y hemoderivados durante el año 1998 en los hospitales gestionados por el Insular. Se han utilizado los datos de gestión analítica y contabilidad presupuestaria correspondientes a 77 hospitales con el fin de obtener el gasto de farmacia desglosado por partidas presupuestarias, el coste en las diferentes áreas de producción y el coste en el área de hospitalización relacionado con la actividad y la complejidad de cada hospital. En este último caso se han utilizado como indicadores el número de altas y la producción de unidades de complejidad hospitalaria. El mayor porcentaje del gasto se imputa a la partida presupuestaria correspondiente a los productos farmacéuticos (67,8 por ciento). Para el conjunto de los hospitales la proporción del coste total que se asigna al área de ambulantes (43,2 por ciento) es similar al asignado a hospitalización (47,6 por ciento). El mayor grado de complejidad de los hospitales se refleja en un mayor coste de farmacia por UCH. La máxima precisión en la realización de la gestión analítica en los hospitales es fundamental para la obtención de información que sea de utilidad en la toma de decisiones dentro de la gestión global del hospital (AU)