Critical care clinical pharmacy value-based metrics: Time to terminate widget counting.

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A common data model for the standardization of intensive care unit medication features.

Objective: Common data models provide a standard means of describing data for artificial intelligence (AI) applications, but this process has never been undertaken for medications used in the intensive care unit (ICU). We sought to develop a common data model (CDM) for ICU medications to standardize the medication features needed to support future ICU AI efforts. Materials and Methods: A 9-member, multi-professional team of ICU clinicians and AI experts conducted a 5-round modified Delphi process employing conference calls, web-based communication, and electronic surveys to define the most important medication features for AI efforts. Candidate ICU medication features were generated through group discussion and then independently scored by each team member based on relevance to ICU clinical decision-making and feasibility for collection and coding. A key consideration was to ensure the final ontology both distinguished unique medications and met Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) guiding principles. Results: Using a list of 889 ICU medications, the team initially generated 106 different medication features, and 71 were ranked as being core features for the CDM. Through this process, 106 medication features were assigned to 2 key feature domains: drug product-related (n = 43) and clinical practice-related (n = 63). Each feature included a standardized definition and suggested response values housed in the electronic data library. This CDM for ICU medications is available online. Conclusion: The CDM for ICU medications represents an important first step for the research community focused on exploring how AI can improve patient outcomes and will require ongoing engagement and refinement.

Clinical Impact of the Implementation Strategies Used to Apply the 2013 Pain, Agitation/Sedation, Delirium or 2018 Pain, Agitation/Sedation, Delirium, Immobility, Sleep Disruption Guideline Recommendations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To summarize the effectiveness of implementation strategies for ICU execution of recommendations from the 2013 Pain, Agitation/Sedation, Delirium (PAD) or 2018 PAD, Immobility, Sleep Disruption (PADIS) guidelines. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from January 2012 to August 2023. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020175268). STUDY SELECTION: Articles were included if: 1) design was randomized or cohort, 2) adult population evaluated, 3) employed recommendations from greater than or equal to two PAD/PADIS domains, and 4) evaluated greater than or equal to 1 of the following outcome(s): short-term mortality, delirium occurrence, mechanical ventilation (MV) duration, or ICU length of stay (LOS). DATA EXTRACTION: Two authors independently reviewed articles for eligibility, number of PAD/PADIS domains, quality according to National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute assessment tools, implementation strategy use (including Assess, prevent, and manage pain; Both SAT and SBT; Choice of analgesia and sedation; Delirium: assess, prevent, and manage; Early mobility and exercise; Family engagement and empowerment [ABCDEF] bundle) by Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care (EPOC) category, and clinical outcomes. Certainty of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. DATA SYNTHESIS: Among the 25 of 243 (10.3%) full-text articles included ( n = 23,215 patients), risk of bias was high in 13 (52%). Most studies were cohort ( n = 22, 88%). A median of 5 (interquartile range [IQR] 4-7) EPOC strategies were used to implement recommendations from two (IQR 2-3) PAD/PADIS domains. Cohort and randomized studies were pooled separately. In the cohort studies, use of EPOC strategies was not associated with a change in mortality (risk ratio [RR] 1.01; 95% CI, 0.9-1.12), or delirium (RR 0.92; 95% CI, 0.82-1.03), but was associated with a reduction in MV duration (weighted mean difference [WMD] -0.84 d; 95% CI, -1.25 to -0.43) and ICU LOS (WMD -0.77 d; 95% CI, -1.51 to 0.04). For randomized studies, EPOC strategy use was associated with reduced mortality and MV duration but not delirium or ICU LOS. CONCLUSIONS: Using multiple implementation strategies to adopt PAD/PADIS guideline recommendations may reduce mortality, duration of MV, and ICU LOS. Further prospective, controlled studies are needed to identify the most effective strategies to implement PAD/PADIS recommendations.

Machine learning vs. traditional regression analysis for fluid overload prediction in the ICU.

Fluid overload, while common in the ICU and associated with serious sequelae, is hard to predict and may be influenced by ICU medication use. Machine learning (ML) approaches may offer advantages over traditional regression techniques to predict it. We compared the ability of traditional regression techniques and different ML-based modeling approaches to identify clinically meaningful fluid overload predictors. This was a retrospective, observational cohort study of adult patients admitted to an ICU ≥ 72 h between 10/1/2015 and 10/31/2020 with available fluid balance data. Models to predict fluid overload (a positive fluid balance ≥ 10% of the admission body weight) in the 48-72 h after ICU admission were created. Potential patient and medication fluid overload predictor variables (n = 28) were collected at either baseline or 24 h after ICU admission. The optimal traditional logistic regression model was created using backward selection. Supervised, classification-based ML models were trained and optimized, including a meta-modeling approach. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were compared between the traditional and ML fluid prediction models. A total of 49 of the 391 (12.5%) patients developed fluid overload. Among the ML models, the XGBoost model had the highest performance (AUROC 0.78, PPV 0.27, NPV 0.94) for fluid overload prediction. The XGBoost model performed similarly to the final traditional logistic regression model (AUROC 0.70; PPV 0.20, NPV 0.94). Feature importance analysis revealed severity of illness scores and medication-related data were the most important predictors of fluid overload. In the context of our study, ML and traditional models appear to perform similarly to predict fluid overload in the ICU. Baseline severity of illness and ICU medication regimen complexity are important predictors of fluid overload.

Evaluation of medication regimen complexity as a predictor for mortality.

While medication regimen complexity, as measured by a novel medication regimen complexity-intensive care unit (MRC-ICU) score, correlates with baseline severity of illness and mortality, whether the MRC-ICU improves hospital mortality prediction is not known. After characterizing the association between MRC-ICU, severity of illness and hospital mortality we sought to evaluate the incremental benefit of adding MRC-ICU to illness severity-based hospital mortality prediction models. This was a single-center, observational cohort study of adult intensive care units (ICUs). A random sample of 991 adults admitted ≥ 24 h to the ICU from 10/2015 to 10/2020 were included. The logistic regression models for the primary outcome of mortality were assessed via area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC). Medication regimen complexity was evaluated daily using the MRC-ICU. This previously validated index is a weighted summation of medications prescribed in the first 24 h of ICU stay [e.g., a patient prescribed insulin (1 point) and vancomycin (3 points) has a MRC-ICU = 4 points]. Baseline demographic features (e.g., age, sex, ICU type) were collected and severity of illness (based on worst values within the first 24 h of ICU admission) was characterized using both the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. Univariate analysis of 991 patients revealed every one-point increase in the average 24-h MRC-ICU score was associated with a 5% increase in hospital mortality [Odds Ratio (OR) 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.08, p = 0.002]. The model including MRC-ICU, APACHE II and SOFA had a AUROC for mortality of 0.81 whereas the model including only APACHE-II and SOFA had a AUROC for mortality of 0.76. Medication regimen complexity is associated with increased hospital mortality. A prediction model including medication regimen complexity only modestly improves hospital mortality prediction.

Correlation between heparin anti-Xa activity and thromboelastography in adult critically ill COVID-19 patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increases the risk of thrombotic complications with unfractionated heparin (UFH) as a commonly used agent in managing venous thromboembolism (VTE). The optimal anticoagulation intensity and monitoring parameters in intensive care unit (ICU) COVID-19 patients remains controversial. The primary study aim was to evaluate the relationship between anti-Xa and thromboelastography (TEG) reaction (R) time in patients with severe COVID-19 receiving therapeutic UFH infusions. DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective study conducted over a 15-month period (2020-2021). SETTING: Academic medical center (Banner University Medical Center Phoenix). PATIENTS: Adult patients with severe COVID-19 administered therapeutic UFH infusions with one or more corresponding TEG, and anti-Xa assessments drawn within ≤2 hours of each other were included. The primary end point was the correlation between anti-Xa and TEG R time. Secondary aims were to describe the correlation between activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and TEG R time, as well as clinical outcomes. Pearson's coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation using a kappa measure of agreement.

Correlation between partial thromboplastin time and thromboelastography in adult critically ill patients requiring bivalirudin for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Thromboelastography (TEG) offers a more dynamic assessment of hemostasis over activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). However, the clinical utility of TEG in monitoring bivalirudin during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between aPTT and TEG in adult ECMO patients anticoagulated with bivalirudin. DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective, cohort study conducted over a 2-year period. SETTING: Two academic university medical centers (Banner University Medical Center) in Phoenix and Tucson, AZ. PATIENTS: Adult patients requiring ECMO and bivalirudin therapy with ≥1 corresponding standard TEG and aPTT plasma samples drawn ≤4 h of each other were included. The primary endpoint was to determine the correlation coefficient between the standard TEG reaction (R) time and bivalirudin aPTT serum concentrations. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 104 patients consisting of 848 concurrent laboratory assessments of R time and aPTT were included. A moderate correlation between TEG R time and aPTT was demonstrated in the study population (r = 0.41; p < 0.001). Overall, 502 (59.2%) concurrent assessments of TEG R time and aPTT values showed agreement on whether they were sub-, supra-, or therapeutic according to the institution's classification for bivalirudin. The 42.2% (n = 271/642) discordant TEG R times among "therapeutic" aPTT were almost equally distributed between subtherapeutic and supratherapeutic categories. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate correlation was found between TEG R time and aPTT associated with bivalirudin during ECMO in critically ill adults. Further research is warranted to address the optimal test to guide clinical decision-making for anticoagulation dosing in ECMO patients.

Comparison of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Screening Predictive Value in the Intensive Care Unit and General Ward.

BACKGROUND: The clinical utility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal screening appears promising for antimicrobial stewardship programs. However, a paucity of data remains on the diagnostic performance of culture-based MRSA screen in the intensive care unit (ICU) for pneumonia and bacteremia. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the predictive value of culture-based MRSA nasal screening for pneumonia and bacteremia in ICU and general ward patients. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted over a 23-month period. Adult patients with MRSA nasal screening ≤48 hours of collecting a respiratory and/or blood culture with concurrent initiation of anti-MRSA therapy were included. The primary endpoint was to compare the negative predictive value (NPV) associated with culture-based MRSA nasal screening between ICU and general ward patients with suspected pneumonia. RESULTS: A total of 5106 patients representing the ICU (n = 2515) and general ward (n = 2591) were evaluated. The NPV of the MRSA nares for suspected pneumonia was not significantly different between ICU and general ward patient populations (98.3% and 97.6%, respectively; P = 0.41). The MRSA nares screening tool also had a high NPV for suspected bacteremia in ICU (99.8%) and general ward groups (99.7%) (P = 0.56). The overall positive MRSA nares rates in the ICU and general ward patient populations were 9.1% and 8.2%, respectively (P = 0.283). Moreover, MRSA-positive respiratory and blood cultures among ICU patients were 5.8% and 0.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Our findings support the routine use of MRSA nasal screening using the culture-based method in ICU patients with pneumonia. Further research on the clinical performance for MRSA bacteremia in the ICU is warranted.

Comparison of 2 different inhaled epoprostenol dosing strategies for acute respiratory distress syndrome in critically ill adults: Weight-based vs fixed-dose administration.

PURPOSE: Inhaled epoprostenol (iEPO) is a viable, temporizing option for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), although the optimal iEPO dosing strategy remains inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate oxygenation and ventilation parameters in a comparison of weight-based and fixed-dose iEPO in adult patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at 2 academic medical centers in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients administered either fixed-dose or weight-based iEPO for moderate-to-severe ARDS. The primary endpoint was the highest recorded change in the ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) within 4 hours of baseline. Secondary analyses compared responder rates within 4 hours of initiation, oxygenation and ventilation parameters, in-hospital mortality rates, mechanical ventilation duration, length of stay (ICU and hospital), and tracheostomy rates between the study groups. RESULTS: A total of 294 patients were included, n = 194 with 100 (34.0%) and 194 (66.0%) in the weight-based and fixed-dose iEPO groups, respectively. The mean (SD) change in the highest recorded PaO2/FiO2 value from baseline up to 4 hours after initiation in the fixed-dose and weight-based groups was 81.1 (106.0) and 41.0 (72.5) mm Hg, respectively (P = 0.0015). The responder rate at 4 hours after iEPO initiation was significantly higher in the fixed-dose group (69.9%) than in the weight-based group (30.1%) (P = 0.02). The only predictor of response was fixed-dose administration (odds ratio, 3.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-6.7; P = 0.0012). Clinical outcomes were comparable between the groups. CONCLUSION: Fixed-dose iEPO was associated with significantly higher response rates then weight-based iEPO during the first 4 hours of therapy. Fixed-dose iEPO is a more convenient strategy than weight-based approaches.

Vancomycin With Concomitant Piperacillin/Tazobactam vs. Cefepime or Meropenem Associated Acute Kidney Injury in General Ward Patients: A Multicenter Propensity Score-Matched Study.

Background: Concurrent administration of vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam (VAN+PTZ) may increase the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized patients. Comprehensive characterization of VAN+PTZ associated AKI and recovery patterns remains lacking in previous reports. Objective: To compare the incidence of AKI associated with VAN+PTZ compared to either cefepime (CEF) or meropenem (MER) with VAN in adult general ward patients. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective, propensity score cohort study was conducted in non-critically ill adult patients. Included patients were concurrently administered VAN+PTZ or VAN+CEF/MER. Patients developing AKI ≤48 hours following combination therapy were excluded. The primary endpoint was to compare the incidence of AKI between study groups. Multivariable Cox regression modeling in predicting AKI was also conducted. Results: A total of 3199 patients met inclusion criteria and were evaluated. The incidence of AKI in VAN+PTZ and VAN+CEF/MER groups were 16.4% and 8.7%, respectively (P < .001). The onset to AKI was 1.8 days earlier with VAN+PTZ compared to VAN+CEF/MER (P < .001). Multivariable prediction model showed concomitant VAN+PTZ was identified as an independent risk factor of developing AKI (HR 2.34, 1.82-3.01, P < .001). The VAN+PTZ group experienced significantly higher rates of severe AKI (stage II or III) compared to the VAN+CEF/MER group (P = .002). No differences in the AKI recovery patterns were found between study groups. Conclusions: Concomitant VAN+PTZ in adult general ward patients was independently associated with an increased risk of AKI overall. More severe AKI was also associated with VAN+PTZ.

Vancomycin with concomitant piperacillin/tazobactam vs. cefepime or meropenem associated acute kidney injury in the critically ill: A multicenter propensity score-matched study.

PURPOSE: The risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with concomitant vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam in the intensive care unit (ICU) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the AKI incidence associated with concomitant vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam compared to either cefepime or meropenem with vancomycin in the ICU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective, propensity score-matched cohort study was conducted in adult ICU patients administered vancomycin in combination with either piperacillin/tazobactam, cefepime, or meropenem were included. Patients developing AKI ≤48 h following combination therapy initiation were excluded. The primary endpoint was to compare the incidence of AKI associated with concomitant antimicrobial therapy. Multivariable Cox regression modeling in predicting AKI was also conducted. RESULTS: A total of 1044 patients were matched. The AKI incidence in vancomycin- piperacillin/tazobactam and vancomycin-cefepime/meropenem groups were 21.9% and 16.8%, respectively (p = 0.068). Multivariable prediction models showed concomitant vancomycin-piperacillin/tazobactam was an independent risk factor of AKI using serum creatinine only (HR 1.52, 1.10-2.10, p = 0.011) and serum creatinine with urine output-based KDIGO criteria (HR 1.77, 1.18-2.67, p = 0.006). No significant differences between groups were observed for AKI recovery patterns or mortality. CONCLUSION: Concomitant vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam administration in adult ICU patients was independently associated with an increased risk of AKI.

Optimizing outcomes using vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring in patients with MRSA bacteremia: trough concentrations or area under the curve?

BACKGROUND: Vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring is routinely performed but the specific measure used in practice is variable. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between the first measured vancomycin trough, area-under-the-curve (AUC), and failure in patients with MRSA bacteremia. METHODS: This retrospective, cohort study included adult non-neutropenic patients with MRSA bacteremia who received vancomycin. The primary outcome was treatment failure. Initial trough and AUC values were compared between the failure and success groups. Classification and regression tree analysis was used to identify thresholds associated with failure. Multivariate analysis was performed to control for identified confounders. RESULTS: There were 89 patients. Failure occurred in 23 (26%). Trough and AUC values associated with failure were < 10.6 mg/L (39% vs. 13%; P = 0.006) and AUC < 410mg*h/L (40% vs. 17%; P = 0.014). Both remained significant after controlling covariates (trough < 10.6 mg/L, OR [95% CI] = 4.91 [1.6-15]; AUC<410mg*h/L, OR [95% CI] = 3.13 [1.14-8.62]). Only AUC was predictive of nephrotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Failure was more common with troughs < 10.6 mg/L or AUC < 410 mg*h/L. Supratherapeutic AUCs, but not trough, were associated with nephrotoxicity.

Benefits of Patient/Caregiver Engagement in Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Compared With Other Sources of Reporting in the Inpatient Setting: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: Clinicians learn from prior adverse events through pharmacovigilance allowing for improved medication safety in the medication use process; therefore, adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting needs to be maximized. This systematic review was conducted to determine whether engaging patients/caregivers in ADR reporting during a patient's hospitalization provides further information about ADRs not obtained from traditional sources of reporting (i.e., voluntary reporting, medical record review). METHODS: This review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. A literature search was conducted from January 2018 to June 2019 in PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase. Studies were included if they were (i) conducted in the inpatient setting, (ii) surveyed patients/caregivers, (iii) compared patient/caregiver reporting with another source of reporting, and (iv) evaluated ADRs. Studies completed in an outpatient setting or nursing home were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies were included. Sources of ADR information from patient/caregiver were obtained through interviews, surveys, questionnaires, or open-ended responses. Patient reporting was compared with medical record reports (7 articles) and health care professional reporting (4 articles). Approximately 11% to 35% of ADRs reported from patients were not identified through voluntary reporting by health care professionals, and 5.6% to 66% of ADRs obtained from patient reporting were not provided in the medical record. CONCLUSIONS: Patients/caregivers are important sources of safety information to improve system and practice of medication use that may not be recorded by other surveillance methods. Administrators and clinicians need to determine the best approach to integrate patients/caregivers into routine reporting for optimal engagement.

Dexmedetomidine for Facilitating Mechanical Ventilation Extubation in Difficult-to-Wean ICU Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND: Agitation and delirium are common in mechanically ventilated adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients and may contribute to delayed extubation times. Difficult-to-wean ICU patients have been associated with an increased risk of longer ICU length of stays and mortality. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the evidence of dexmedetomidine facilitating successful mechanical ventilation extubation in difficult-to-wean ICU patients and clinical outcomes. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Global Health, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Clinical Trial Registries, and the Health Technology Assessment Database from inception to December 5, 2019. Randomized controlled trials evaluating dexmedetomidine with the intended purpose to facilitate mechanical ventilation liberation in adult ICU patients (≥18 years) experiencing extubation failure were included. The primary outcome of time to extubation was evaluated using the weighted mean difference (WMD), with a random effects model. Secondary analyses included hospital and ICU length of stay, in-hospital mortality, hypotension, and bradycardia. RESULTS: A total of 6 trials (n = 306 patients) were included. Dexmedetomidine significantly reduced the time to extubation (WMD: -11.61 hours, 95% CI: -16.5 to -6.7, P = .005) and ICU length of stay (WMD: -3.04 days; 95% CI: -4.66 to -1.43). Hypotension risk was increased with dexmedetomidine (risk ratio [RR]: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.05-2.51), but there was no difference in bradycardia risk (RR: 3.98, 95% CI: 0.70-22.78). No differences were observed in mortality rates (RR: 1.30, 95% CI: 0.45-3.75) or hospital length of stay (WMD: -2.67 days; 95% CI: -7.73 to 2.39). CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine was associated with a significant reduction in the time to extubation and shorter ICU stay in difficult-to-wean ICU patients. Although hypotension risk was increased with dexmedetomidine, no differences in other clinical outcomes were observed.

Comparison of Fixed-Dose Inhaled Epoprostenol and Inhaled Nitric Oxide for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Critically Ill Adults.

PURPOSE: Several reports have demonstrated similar effects on oxygenation between inhaled epoprostenol (iEPO) compared to inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Previous studies directly comparing oxygenation and clinical outcomes between iEPO and iNO exclusively in an adult ARDS patient population utilized a weight-based dosing strategy. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and economic impact between iNO and fixed-dosed iEPO for ARDS in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a major academic medical center between January 1, 2014, and October 31, 2018. Patients ≥18 years of age with moderate-to-severe ARDS were included. The primary end point was to compare the mean change in partial arterial oxygen pressure to fraction of inspired oxygen (Pao 2: Fio 2) at 4 hours from baseline between iEPO and iNO. Other secondary aims were total acquisition drug costs, in-hospital mortality, ICU and hospital length of stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: A total of 239 patients were included with 139 (58.2%) and 100 (41.8%) in the iEPO and iNO groups, respectively. The mean change in Pao 2: Fio 2 at 4 hours from baseline in the iEPO and iNO groups were 31.4 ± 54.6 and 32.4 ± 42.7 mm Hg, respectively (P = .88). The responder rate at 4 hours was similar between iEPO and iNO groups (64.7% and 66.0%, respectively, P = .84). Clinical outcomes including mortality, overall hospital and ICU length of stay, and mechanical ventilation duration were similar between iEPO and iNO groups. Estimated annual cost-savings realized with iEPO was USD1 074 433. CONCLUSION: Fixed-dose iEPO was comparable to iNO in patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS for oxygenation and ventilation parameters as well as clinical outcomes. Significant cost-savings were realized with iEPO use.

Clinical Pharmacist-Led Impact on Inappropriate Albumin Utilization and Associated Costs in General Ward Patients.

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate albumin use in clinical practice remains problematic. Health-systems face continued challenges in promoting cost-appropriate use. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and economic impact of a clinical pharmacist-led intervention strategy targeting inappropriate albumin use in general ward patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study evaluated all adult (≥18 years) general ward patients administered ≥1 dose of albumin at a university medical center over a 2-year period. The intervention consisted of a clinical pharmacist-led strategy intervening on all albumin orders not in accordance with institutional guidelines. The primary end point was to compare inappropriate albumin utilization before and after implementation. Secondary end points compared the rates of inappropriate albumin use adjusted for hospital admission and patient-days as well as associated costs by appropriateness between study periods. RESULTS: A total of 4420 patients were screened, with 1971 (44.6%) patients meeting inclusion criteria. The clinical pharmacist strategy significantly reduced inappropriate albumin (grams) utilization by 86.0% (P < 0.001). A 7-fold reduction of inappropriate albumin administered adjusted for the number of patient admissions was found from the preimplementation period following clinical pharmacist intervention strategy implementation (415.3 ± 83.2 vs 57.5 ± 34.2 g per 100 general ward hospital admissions, respectively; P < 0.001). Also, the adjusted inappropriate albumin rate was reduced from 62.2 ± 12.3 to 8.6 ± 5.2 g per 100 patient-days in the preimplementation and postimplementation periods, respectively (P < 0.001). Annual cost savings were $421 455 overall, with $341 930 resulting from mitigation of inappropriate use. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Clinical pharmacist-led interventions significantly reduced inappropriate albumin use and costs in hospitalized patients.

The SUP-ICU Trial: Does It Confirm or Condemn the Practice of Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis?

Purpose: Stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) is routinely administered to critically ill patients for the prevention of stress ulcer-induced, clinically important bleeding (CIB). Recently, the value of SUP has been questioned due to the perceived decline in CIB and the potential for infectious complications secondary to acid suppressive therapy. The SUP-ICU trial is a large, randomized controlled trial comparing intravenous pantoprazole with placebo for the indication of SUP. It is hoped that this trial would answer many of the questions pertaining to the overall value of SUP. This article will provide an in-depth assessment of the SUP-ICU trial in the context of the overall body of literature in this area. Furthermore, applications for clinical practice and recommendations on the provision of SUP are provided. Summary: The SUP-ICU trial revealed no difference in the primary outcome of 90-day mortality with pantoprazole but lower rates of CIB were noted (which was a secondary outcome). Overall, these data provide important insight into the value of SUP along with other questions related to the provision of SUP such as the relationship between CIB and mortality, infectious complications, and enteral nutrition. Conclusions: The SUP-ICU trial is a landmark trial describing the value of SUP in a modern-day setting of intensive care unit (ICU) practice. The provision of SUP should be continued in high-risk patients. Future studies are ongoing that will add further insight to this routine practice.

Hyperoncotic Albumin Reduces Net Fluid Loss Associated With Hemodialysis.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the volume of fluid removal associated with and without 25% albumin administration in conjunction with hemodialysis. Methods: This retrospective, cohort study was conducted at a large academic medical center over a 6-month period to compare the net fluid amount removed (mL) during hemodialysis between patients administered 25% albumin and those without albumin. Results: A total of 238 patients consisting of 973 unique hemodialysis sessions were evaluated. The mean overall net fluid removed by hemodialysis in the 25% albumin and no albumin groups were 1242 mL and 1899 mL, P < .001, respectively. No albumin group had significantly higher mean fluid losses compared with 25% albumin for a total dose of either 25 g (P = .001) or 50 g (P = .001). There were no significant differences in mean fluid loss between the no albumin group and patients receiving 75 g or 100 g of albumin. Post hoc analysis failed to demonstrate a dose-dependent response in those patients receiving 25% albumin and no albumin. Conclusion: Hyperoncotic albumin administered during hemodialysis sessions reduced net fluid loss associated with hemodialysis. The findings of this study do not support the routine use of 25% albumin to improve fluid removal during dialysis.