Descentralización de la elaboración de los tratamientos antineoplásicos. Optimización de los recursos / Decentralisation of the preparation of antineoplastic treatments. Resources

Objetivos: La metodología “Six Sigma” se basa en el análisis de los flujos de trabajo e identificación de los puntos de mejoras con el fin de lograr una máxima eficiencia en los procesos, tanto industriales como sanitarios. El objetivo de este estudio es comparar la eficiencia entre un sistema “clásico” de elaboración de quimioterapia centralizado en el Servicio de Farmacia frente a un modelo descentralizado. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional en el que se analizó la eficiencia de los modelos de elaboración de preparaciones quimioterápicas: 1.- Modelo clásico (MC), a partir del cual se suministran las preparaciones al Hospital de Día de Hematología: las campanas de elaboración de tratamientos y el farmacéutico están presentes en el Servicio de Farmacia.2.- Modelo descentralizado (MD): el farmacéutico y las campanas de preparación de la medicación se encuentran en Hospital de Día de Oncología. La eficiencia de cada sistema se evaluó mediante el tiempo transcurrido desde la recepción de la orden médica hasta la administración de la quimioterapia (TAQ).Resultados: El TAQ siguiendo el MD fue inferior que para el MC: 13,7 [5-28] minutos versus 71,0 [42-96] minutos (p<0,001) con una diferencia media de 57,3 minutos/preparación. El tiempo potencialmente ahorrado con el modelo descentralizado fue de 40,3 horas/día. Conclusiones: Con el presente trabajo hemos querido cuantificar y comparar la eficiencia de los dos modelos de elaboración de mezclas citostáticas, siendo desfavorable para el sistema clásico de centralización para la preparación de la medicación en los Servicios de Farmacia. (AU)

Aims: The «Six Sigma» methodology is based on the analysis of workflows and the identification of areas for improvement in order to achieve maximum efficiency in industrial and healthcare processes. The aim of this study is to compare the efficiency of a «classic» chemotherapy preparation system centralised in the Pharmacy Service versus a decentralised model.Material and methods: Observational study in which the efficiency of the models for the preparation of chemotherapy treatments was analysed: 1.- Classical model (MC), which has the treatment preparation cabinets and a pharmacist located in the Pharmacy Service, and from which the preparations are supplied to the Haematology Day Hospital. 2.- Decentralised model (MD), where both the pharmacist and the medication preparation cabinets are located in the Oncology Day Hospital .For the evaluation of the efficiency of each system, the time elapsed from the receipt of the medical order to the administration of chemotherapy (TAQ) was compared. Results: The TAQ following MD was less than for MC: 13.7 [5-28] minutes versus 71.0 [42-96] minutes (p<0.001) with a mean difference of 57.3 minutes/prescription. The potential time saved with the decentralised model was 40.3 hours/day. Conclusions: The aim of this study was to quantify and compare the efficiency of the two models for the preparation of cytostatic mixtures, showing that the classical centralised system for the preparation of medication in pharmacy services is unfavourable. (AU)

Incidencia de hipopotasemia en pacientes con neutropenia febril que reciben tratamiento con anfotericina B liposomal / Incidence of hypokalemia in patients with febrile neutropenia receiving treatment with liposomal amphotericin B

Objetivos: Describir la incidencia, la gravedad y los factores asociados a la aparición de hipopotasemia en pacientes con neutropenia febril en tratamiento con anfotericina B liposomal.Métodos: Estudio unicéntrico retrospectivo (enero 2010- mayo 2020), que incluyó a aquellos pacientes hematológicos con neutropenia febril que recibieron tratamiento con anfotericina B liposomal durante al menos 72 h. Se evaluó la incidencia de aparición de hipokalemia asociada al empleo del fármaco, la gravedad de la misma, así como el impacto del empleo de una suplementación de potasio sobre la aparición de hipokalemia en este grupo de pacientes.Resultados: Se incluyeron 89 pacientes (50,6% mujeres [n=45]; edad media 63,5 años [20-90]). El 59,6% (n=53) de los pacientes desarrolló hipopotasemia durante el tratamiento con anfotericina B liposomal: leve (52,8%, n=28), moderada (35,8%, n=19) y grave (11,3%, n=6). El empleo de una suplementación de inicio precoz a base de potasio disminuyó la tasa de aparición de hipokalemia en estos pacientes (p=0,001). El periodo entre el inicio del fármaco y el aporte de potasio fue menor en pacientes que no desarrollaron hipokalemia (p<0,001). Asimismo, este grupo de pacientes se benefició de periodos más prolongados de suplementación (p=0,002) y terapia antifúngica (p=0,039).Conclusiones: La hipopotasemia es un efecto adverso muy frecuente en pacientes con neutropenia febril que reciben tratamiento con anfotericina B liposomal, siendo necesario el establecimiento de protocolos de suplementación de potasio que disminuyan el riesgo de aparición de esta reacción adversa. (AU)

Objectives: To describe the incidence, severity and factors associated with the appearance of hypokalemia in patients with febrile neutropenia in treatment with liposomal amphotericin B. Methods: Retrospective unicenter study (January 2010-May 2020), which included those hematological patients with febrile neutropenia who were treated with liposomal amphotericin B for at least 72 h. The incidence of hypokalemia associated with the use of the drug, its severity, and the influence of potassium supplementation on the occurrence of hypokalemia in this group of patients were evaluated. Results: 89 patients were included (50.6% women [n=45]; mean age 63.5 years [20-90]). 59.6% (n=53) of patients developed hypokalemia during treatment with liposomal amphotericin B: mild (52.8%, n=28), moderate (35.8%, n=19) and severe (11.3%, n=6). The use of early-onset potassium-based supplementation decreased the rate of occurrence of hypokalemia in these patients (p=0.001). The period between drug initiation and potassium intake was lower in patients who did not develop hypokalemia (p<0.001). Likewise, this group of patients benefited from longer periods of supplementation (p=0.002) and antifungal therapy (p=0.039).Conclusions: Hypokalemia is a very frequent adverse effect in patients with febrile neutropenia who are treated with liposomal amphotericin B. It is necessary to establish protocols for potassium supplementation to reduce the risk of this adverse reaction. (AU)

[Adequacy to diagnostic recommendations in patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia treated with intravenous pentamidine]. / Adecuación a las recomendaciones diagnósticas en pacientes con neumonía por Pneumocystis jirovecii tratados con pentamidina intravenosa.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of microbiological confirmation in the diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in patients treated with intravenous pentamidine and the potential correlation with treatment effectiveness and safety. METHODS: Single-centre retrospective study (2010-2020), which included those patients who received intravenous pentamidine treatment for at least 48 hours. The sample collection procedure and the microbiological analysis performed were recorded. Efficacy was determined by 14-day mortality rate and admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and disease control was determined by length of hospital stay and time from completion of treatment to discharge. The safety profile was assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0. RESULTS: A total of 17 patients with P. jirovecii pneumonia were treated with pentamidine (76.5% male (n=13); mean age [standard deviation]: 58.6 [15.5]). Microbiological confirmation of the pathogen was established in 47.1% (n=8) of cases. Targeted use of pentamidine significantly reduced the time from treatment completion to hospital discharge (p=0.019). The safety profile was acceptable, with grade I toxicity occurring in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that more than 50% of patients receive treatment based on a presumptive diagnosis and without adhering to the established recommendations, with repercussions on the duration of admission and recovery of the patient. Future studies with a larger sample size will be necessary to consolidate the results obtained.

Plasma levels of trastuzumab in gastric cancer: Case report.

Introduction The use of trastuzumab with a fluoropyrimidine and platinum compound is currently the standard first-line treatment of patients with metastatic HER2-positive gastric cancer, but it appears that serum levels of trastuzumab determine the clinical effectiveness of this treatment, affecting progression-free survival and overall survival. Case report We report the case of a patient with metastatic HER2-positivegastric cancer, receiving XELOX (fluoropyrimidine and oxaliplatin) plus trastuzumab at standard doses, who presented sub-therapeutic serum levels during the first two treatment cycles and rapid disease progression (progression-free survival = 5.6 months). Discussion This case reveals a possible cause of poor effectiveness of trastuzumab treatment for metastatic gastric cancer in some patients, namely low circulating levels of the drug. It highlights the importance of monitoring as a possible tool for individual dose adjustment to optimize this therapy.