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INTRODUCTION: Health2Sync (H2S) is a digital health technology platform that provides coaching and titration support to patients with diabetes. The Mallya cap converts a conventional insulin pen into a smart connected device that can automatically synchronize dose values and associated timestamps (upon injection) to the H2S platform. This single-arm real-world study evaluated the effectiveness of insulin glargine 300 U/mL (Gla-300) combined with H2S and Mallya cap (Gla-300 + Cap + App program) on clinical outcomes among users with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Taiwan. METHODS: Adults (aged ≥ 20 years) with T2D who were registered H2S users and initiated Mallya cap for a new/existing Gla-300 regimen (identification period May 1, 2021-May 31, 2022) were included in this retrospective cohort study. Follow-up data from H2S were collected for 90 days. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) change (baseline to follow-up) and HbA1c goal attainment were primary outcomes. Hypoglycemia incidence and usage metrics of Mallya cap were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Of 83 participants, 38.6% were new Gla-300 users. HbA1c was reduced in both new (- 2.4 [2.7] %, - 26.2 [29.5] mmol/mol) and previous Gla-300 users (- 0.5 [1.6] %, - 5.5 [17.5] mmol/mol). Reduction in HbA1c was significant (p < 0.05) in both groups. At follow-up, 43.4% of users had a reduction of > 0.5%. Mean HbA1c reductions increased numerically with higher baseline HbA1c and with longer duration of Mallya cap usage. CONCLUSIONS: Use of digital technology within a connected ecosystem such as Gla-300 + Cap + App program could help people with type 2 diabetes to improve their glycemic condition.
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PURPOSE: The development and implementation of an interdisciplinary oncology program in a community hospital are described. SUMMARY: Before the program was established, clinical pharmacists responsible for order entry and verification did not have a defined structure and resource to effectively communicate with medical oncologists and nurses on patient care issues and oncology drug information. The practice model did not meet practice needs, departmental safety, quality, or cost-saving goals. An interdisciplinary team was established to determine where current processes and procedures were needed to decrease errors and improve efficiency associated with chemotherapy services. Three stages of practice development were planned, and an interdisciplinary oncology program involving nursing and pharmacy team members and medical oncologists was established. Standardized order forms, various pharmacy collaborative agreements, protocols, improved oncology nursing and pharmacy processes, and established standards in order writing, dispensing, administration, and monitoring were developed. An oncology pharmacist specialist position was requested, and this pharmacist played an essential role in helping the hospital realize significant cost savings and improve the quality of care provided to patients receiving chemotherapy services. Data were collected for 96 chemotherapy orders before program implementation and for 75 orders after program implementation, and a 45% reduction in total error related to chemotherapy drugs was observed (p < 0.0625). The most common cause of errors was missing information, typically an omitted duration or frequency, dose, route, or premedication (63% of all errors documented). CONCLUSION: The development and implementation of an interdisciplinary oncology program resulted in decreased medication-error rates, expanded pharmacy services, and cost savings.