Effect of a state hospital formulary on medicines utilisation in Australia.

Objective The provision of medicines through state public hospitals is comparatively restrictive compared with the federally funded Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Individual states are progressively moving towards statewide medicines formularies. Although a statewide formulary has existed in Queensland for some time. The effects of hospital formularies on medicines utilisation and policy in Australia has not been quantified. Thus, the aim of the present study was to quantify the effects of the Queensland Health List of Approved Medicines (LAM) on medicines utilisation in Queensland at a state and PBS-purchasing level and describe the implications for medicines policy. Methods This study used a quasi-experimental design with an interrupted time series (with control for PBS) examining utilisation effects of medicines within the therapeutic classes of proton pump inhibitors and non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants with LAM listing or delisting. Results The LAM was demonstrated to be highly effective at controlling utilisation within Queensland Health purchasing. Effects on PBS utilisation were evident, resulting in increases in generic utilisation (where available) and associated reduced total costs both within Queensland Health and to the PBS. The full benefit is likely underestimated due to limitations in the PBS datasets. Conclusion The LAM is a highly effective state medicines policy tool with demonstrable effects on PBS utilisation. With increased use of statewide medicines formularies, this will be an increasingly relevant aspect of Australia's overall medicines policy. What is known about the topic? State medicines policy is comparatively restrictive compared with the federal PBS. Most Australian states have, or are developing, statewide medicines formularies. What does this paper add? By examining several classes of medicines, a substantial quantitative effect of the Queensland state formulary on both state and PBS medicines utilisation can be demonstrated. Increased use of generic medicines and reduced costs are seen. What are the implications for practitioners? With increased use of state medicines formularies, state medicines formularies will become increasingly relevant to medicines policy makers and advocates at both the state and federal level.

M♡THer, an mHealth System to Support Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Feasibility and Acceptability Study.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance first identified during pregnancy. Delays in diagnosis and challenges in management can lead to serious adverse outcomes for the mother and child. As rates of GDM diagnosis increase worldwide, health systems and maternity services have become increasingly strained, especially with new restrictions around in-person care due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Mobile health (mHealth) has increasingly shown promise for management of chronic disease, driven by smartphone adoption and increased internet connectivity. The aim of this work was to evaluate the adoption and multidisciplinary care coordination of an mHealth platform called M♡THer in a cohort of women with first-time diagnosis of GDM. Methods: The mHealth platform for GDM management was developed incorporating a smartphone application, clinician portal, and secure cloud data storage. Forty participants with a first-time diagnosis of GDM were recruited to use the app during their pregnancy. User attitudes from clinicians and women were captured through post-hoc surveys, and app-usage metrics. Results: Clinicians and women indicated satisfaction and ease of use of the mHealth platform, with some technological challenges around wireless connectivity. Blood glucose reviews and antenatal contact were higher with use of the M♡THer app compared with a matched historical sample. Conclusion: The M♡THer mHealth platform is a new comprehensive tool for health care of women with GDM, and may provide an effective new avenue to enhance multidisciplinary care in the face of COVID-19 disruptions and challenges to traditional care pathways.

Off-label use of recombinant factor VIIa in two tertiary hospitals in Queensland.

BACKGROUND: Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) is used for many off-label indications without high quality evidence to support its efficacy. The aim of this study was to determine indications for use of off-label rFVIIa, efficacy and safety, and adherence to institutional guidelines. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of off-label rFVIIa at two tertiary hospitals from 2007 to 2010. RESULTS: One hundred forty-five administrations were identified and analysed. Haemorrhage associated with cardiac surgery made up one-third of all rFVIIa usage, with trauma (20%) and other surgery (11%) the next most frequent indications. Compared with all others, cardiac surgery patients were older (60.0 years versus 47.4 years, P < 0.001) and had lower pre-rFVIIa transfusion requirements, a higher subjective response rate (88% versus 46%, P < 0.001) and lower mortality rates (6.1% versus 33%, P < 0.001), but higher rates of arterial thrombormbolic events (16.7% versus 2.1%, P = 0.002). Most patients received only one or two doses (n = 137; 95%), with no subject receiving a third or subsequent dose having an appreciable reduction in bleeding. Only a small number of patients (n = 15; 10.3%) had rFVIIa administered in accordance with our institutions' guidelines. CONCLUSION: Patients administered rFVIIa for haemorrhage not associated with cardiac surgery were severely unwell. Despite lack of evidence, administration of rFVIIa may be justified by the high mortality rate, but more than two doses are unlikely to provide further benefit. The high rate of arterial thromboembolism in cardiac surgical patients raises risk-benefit considerations. Adherence to our institutions' guidelines was poor.

Outcomes in patients with gram-negative sepsis treated with gentamicin.

OBJECTIVE: Recent changes to therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of gentamicin have been advocated in Australia. It remains uncertain whether these will have an effect on hard clinical endpoints. The aim of this study was to determine clinical outcomes in patients with gram-negative infections treated with gentamicin. METHODS: Microbiology results of patients with confirmed gram-negative cultures were retrospectively reviewed and those treated with gentamicin included. Medical records were reviewed and patient demographics, diagnosis, renal function, comorbidities, gentamicin doses, duration, monitoring, concomitant antibiotics, antimicrobial sensitivity and clinical and microbiological outcomes recorded. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were included in the study: 52% were male, median age 64 years (17-97). Total body weight was recorded in 56% (median 74.5 kg, range 35-134 kg). Most patients had two or more important comorbidities. A total of 72% received empiric and 28% directed treatment. The organism was identified on blood culture in 45%, urine culture in 43% and aspiration of liver abscess in 12%; 95% of organisms were sensitive to gentamicin. Baseline renal function was normal in 62%. Mean gentamicin dose was 3.9 ± 0.9 mg/kg and mean duration 2.9 ± 2.5 days. Only 21% had optimal TDM. Clinical outcome was favourable in 90%. There were no cases of preventable serious toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the modest doses of gentamicin used in an elderly population with comorbidities, as well as the absence of optimal TDM, outcomes were favourable without preventable serious toxicity.