Implementation of a Pilot PharmD Medication Optimization Telehealth Clinic Within a Veterans Affairs System.

Background Patients older than 65 years of age with an anticipated life-expectancy of 12 months or less may have complex medication regimens and an increased risk of adverse drug reactions, and drug-drug interactions. Within the Department of Veterans Affairs, a commonly used medication optimization model is known as the VIONE methodology. Objective This project aimed to pilot implementation of board-certified clinical pharmacist practitioners utilizing the VIONE model within a patient-aligned care team targeting patients 65 years of age and older. Methods The population was identified through the VIONE dashboards. Veteran inclusion criteria included five or more medications, a VIONE risk score of 5 or greater, and CAN scores of greater than 90. The project team reached out via telephone to the patients for a medication regimen review and a 14-day follow-up call. Primary outcomes were quantity of medications discontinued per patient, classes of medications that were discontinued, number and encounter time spent, and cost avoidance over 1 year. Secondary outcomes were VIONE classification of medications, VIONE discontinuation reason, number of recommendations given and accepted by primary provider, and safety analysis. Results There were 53 patients who were successfully contacted via telephone. The top four most discontinued medication classes included 1) vitamins/supplements, 2) ophthalmology medications, 3) gastrointestinal medications, and 4) non-controlled analgesic medications. During the project period the potential cost avoidance over 1 year was $17,716. CONCLUSION: This project demonstrated that usage of VIONE methodology ensures medication optimization with minimal harm and provides significant cost savings in the ambulatory care setting.

The Impact of a Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner on Perioperative Pain Management for Orthopedic Surgeries.

The objective of this quality improvement (QI) project was to assess the impact of an evidence based clinical pharmacist practitioner (CPP) model applied to perioperative pain management by integrating a CPP into the perioperative orthopedic surgery clinical pathway. Secondary objective was to assess the effect of CPP pain management service on surgical team satisfaction. This QI project expanded CPP pain management services for patients who were scheduled for an orthopedic surgery. Surgical provider satisfaction of CPP pain management services was assessed through a provider survey. Pain management recommendations by the Pain CPP were implemented 61% (n = 23/38) of the time by the orthopedic surgeon. The impact of the Pain CPP on perioperative pain management was demonstrated by improvement in the Clinically Aligned Pain Assessment Tool, which was similar in patients where CPP recommendations were accepted compared to surgeon only recommended regimens (p = 0.048). Five orthopedic surgical providers responded to our satisfaction survey, 80% (n = 4/5) strongly agree that a pain management CPP should become a permanent member of the care team. Through an evidence-based CPP model we observed a reduction in quantity of opioid prescribed and morphine equivalent daily dose utilized in patients who underwent an orthopedic surgery.

Management of Critical Glucose Values in Hospice.

Objectives: This quality improvement (QI) project was to lean the process for managing critical high and low glucose levels in the hospice unit and to simplify the pharmacologic options for hypoglycemic management for nursing staff. Methods: The process for developing and refining the recommendations involved a modified Delphi approach with a team of key stakeholders with overlapping expertise in hospice care practice. Recommendations were based on literature review, judgement of experts, and clinical experience. Stakeholders ranked six potential solutions and two were prioritized within the scope of this project. Results: From 1/1/21 - 12/31/21, there were 48 veterans with insulin sliding scale orders in the hospice unit, of which there were six critical values acted on. A standard operating procedure (SOP) for the management of critical glucose values in hospice was developed based on updated processes. In addition, hospice patient specific insulin sliding scale order sets were created and endorsed for utilization and dissemination. Following implementation on 3/1/22, no critical values were found in the hospice unit from 3/1/22 - 6/1/22 during the sustainment period. Conclusions: The implementation of hospice insulin sliding scale order sets and SOP on the management of critical glucose values in hospice reduced the number of critical glucose values.

Medication Use Evaluation of Docusate Sodium in Constipation Prophylaxis and Opioid Induced Constipation at the WPB VA HCS Community Living Center.

INTRODUCTION: Docusate sodium's efficacy is widely debated. Several studies on opioid induced constipation (OIC) concluded that docusate sodium vs either placebo or in combination with sennosides provided no benefit. OBJECTIVE: This medication use evaluation aimed to investigate constipation treatment trends within the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System Community Living Center, and to assess the therapeutic effectiveness of docusate sodium. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of data extracted from April 1, 2022, to September 30, 2022. Patients were included if they had oral orders for docusate sodium, sennosides, lactulose, and/or polyethylene glycol. Patients without active bowel regimen medications were excluded. Requirements for rescue constipation medication was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 98 patients were reviewed. Docusate sodium was used in 43% (n = 42/98) of patients. Rescue medications were needed in 58% (n = 22/38) of patients receiving oral docusate sodium. 52% (n = 29/56) of patients without docusate sodium required rescue medications. For OIC treatment, when docusate sodium was added to other bowel regimens, 59% (n = 17/29) of patients needed a rescue medication, while 66% (n = 19/29) of patients without docusate sodium required a rescue medication. Patients on morphine were given the greatest quantity of rescue constipation medications (73%, n = 16/22). CONCLUSION: Oral docusate sodium did not reduce the requirement for rescue constipation medications in the WPB VAHCS CLC population. When evaluating constipation treatment, docusate sodium may supply minimal benefit and could be identified as nonessential for deprescribing efforts. Morphine was the most constipating opioid used in this patient population, requiring more aggressive bowel regimens.

The Effect of Physical Therapy on Time to Discharge After Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

BACKGROUND: With a lesser degree of tissue destruction, patients undergoing minimally-invasive spine surgery are primed to benefit from early mobilization, which can further enhance recovery and hasten rehabilitation. We aimed to determine the role of physical therapy on earlier discharge after minimally-invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). METHODS: Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC) provided patients undergoing one- and two-level minimally-invasive TLIF for degenerative lumbar disease. The study population was divided into patients with a one-day length of stay (LOS 1), two days (LOS 2), and three or more days (LOS ≥ 3) to maintain three equal-time cohorts. On POD 0, physical therapy (or, in very rare circumstances, a spine-care-specialized nurse in patients arriving to the in-patient floors late after hours) must evaluate capacity to ambulate. RESULTS: Of the 101 patients, the median day of first ambulation statistically significantly increased from the LOS 1 to LOS ≥ 3 cohort (P = 0.007). Mean distance ambulated decreased from 156.5 ±â€¯123.1 feet in the LOS 1 group, 108.9 ±â€¯83.9 feet in the LOS 2 group, to 69.2 ±â€¯58.3 feet in the LOS ≥ 3 group (P = 0.002). Patient-reported outcomes did not differ among the three cohorts. Following a multivariable ordinal logistical regression controlling for disposition to rehab over home (ORadj = 5.47, P = 0.045), the odds of longer LOS decreased by 39% for every 50-feet ambulated (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Time to first ambulation independently increases the odds of earlier discharge, regardless of comorbidity burden and surgical determinants.