Perception survey on the value of the hospital pharmacist at the emergency department / Encuesta de percepción del valor del farmacéutico de hospital en el servicio de urgencias

Objective: To determine the perception and evaluation of the Emergency pharmacist by the medical and nursing staff at the Emergency department. Methods: A multicenter study based on a survey sent to the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacists (SEFH) for Emergency pharmacists (EPh) to distribute among the Emergency staff. Descriptive statistics were used, with a 95% confidence interval. Results: 102 (12%) questionnaires were completed by 73 Emergency Physicians (71.6%) and 29 Emergency Nurses (28.4%), out of 835 surveys sent. The most common pharmaceutical activities, and perceived as more relevant for patient safety, were: consultation solution, prescription validation, and medication reconciliation. 63% of respondents supported the prospective review of high-risk medications, while 89% believed that the Pharmacist improves the quality of care. EPh are considered useful for training healthcare staff and patients, and 77% of respondents considered them as an integral member of the team. They would resort more to Pharmacists if they were present at the hospital department. Conclusions: The results show the acceptance of Hospital Pharmacists in the Emergency Department; their functions are known and valued. They are considered an integral member of the team, who will provide safety and improve patient care Medication reconciliation and prescription validation are highlighted because of their relevance in terms of safety. Further studies are needed to assess health outcomes and their economic impact (AU)

Objetivo: Determinar la percepción y valoración del farmacéutico de Urgencias por el personal médico y de enfermería de este servicio. Métodos: Estudio multicéntrico basado en una encuesta que se envió a la SEFH para que los farmacéuticos de Urgencias lo dirigieran al personal de esta unidad. Se aplica una estadística descriptiva con intervalos de confianza del 95%. Resultados: 102 (12%) encuestas cumplimentadas por 73 médicos (71,6%) y 29 enfermeras (28,4%) de Urgencias, de un total de 835 enviadas. Se aprecian como actividades farmacéuticas más comunes y relevantes para la seguridad del paciente: la resolución de consultas, la validación de prescripciones y la conciliación de la medicación. El 63% apoya la validación prospectiva de los medicamentos de alto riesgo. Para el 89% el farmacéutico mejora la calidad de la atención. Lo consideran útil en la formación del personal sanitario y de los pacientes y, para un 77% del total, es parte integral del equipo. Recurren más a él si está presente en el servicio. Conclusiones: Los resultados muestran la aceptación del farmacéutico de hospital en Urgencias; se conocen y valoran sus funciones. Es considerado parte integral del equipo, aporta seguridad y mejora la atención de los pacientes. Se refuerzan la conciliación de la medicación y la validación de las prescripciones por su relevancia en la seguridad. Su visibilidad facilita que recurran a sus servicios, si bien un reciente informe de la SEFH refleja una reducida presencia en las Urgencias hospitalarias. Hacen falta más estudios que valoren los resultados en salud y su repercusión económica (AU)

Perception survey on the value of the hospital pharmacist at the emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the perception and evaluation of the Emergency pharmacist by the medical and nursing staff at the Emergency department. METHODS: A multicenter study based on a survey sent to the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacists (SEFH) for Emergency pharmacists (EPh) to distribute among the Emergency staff. Descriptive statistics were used, with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: 102 (12%) questionnaires were completed by 73 Emergency Physicians (71.6%) and 29 Emergency Nurses (28.4%), out of 835 surveys sent. The most common pharmaceutical activities, and perceived as more relevant for patient safety, were: consultation solution, prescription validation, and medication reconciliation. 63% of respondents supported the prospective review of high-risk medications, while 89% believed that the Pharmacist improves the quality of care. EPh are considered useful for training healthcare staff and patients, and 77% of respondents considered them as an integral member of the team. They would resort more to Pharmacists if they were present at the hospital department. CONCLUSIONS: The results show the acceptance of Hospital Pharmacists in the Emergency Department; their functions are known and valued. They are considered an integral member of the team, who will provide safety and improve patient care. Medication reconciliation and prescription validation are highlighted because of their relevance in terms of safety. Further studies are needed to assess health outcomes and their economic impact.

Objetivo: Determinar la percepción y valoración del farmacéutico de Urgencias por el personal médico y de enfermería de este servicio.Métodos: Estudio multicéntrico basado en una encuesta que se envió a la SEFH para que los farmacéuticos de Urgencias lo dirigieran al personal de esta unidad. Se aplica una estadística descriptiva con intervalos de confianza del 95%.Resultados: 102 (12%) encuestas cumplimentadas por 73 médicos (71,6%) y 29 enfermeras (28,4%) de Urgencias, de un total de 835 enviadas. Se aprecian como actividades farmacéuticas más comunes y relevantes para la seguridad del paciente: la resolución de consultas, la validación de prescripciones y la conciliación de la medicación. El 63% apoya la validación prospectiva de los medicamentos de alto riesgo. Para el 89% el farmacéutico mejora la calidad de la atención. Lo consideran útil en la formación del personal sanitario y de los pacientes y, para un 77% del total, es parte integral del equipo. Recurren más a él si está presente en el servicio. Conclusiones: Los resultados muestran la aceptación del farmacéutico de hospital en Urgencias; se conocen y valoran sus funciones. Es considerado parte integral del equipo, aporta seguridad y mejora la atención de los pacientes. Se refuerzan la conciliación de la medicación y la validación de las prescripciones por su relevancia en la seguridad. Su visibilidad facilita que recurran a sus servicios, si bien un reciente informe de la SEFH refleja una reducida presencia en las Urgencias hospitalarias. Hacen falta más estudios que valoren los resultados en salud y su repercusión económica.

Plasma ß-amyloid peptides in canine aging and cognitive dysfunction as a model of Alzheimer's disease.

Aging dogs naturally demonstrate cognitive impairment and neuropathology that model early Alzheimer's disease (AD). In particular, there is evidence that canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) in aged dogs is accompanied by cortical deposition of Aß peptides and neurodegeneration. Plasma Aß levels have been examined in humans as putative biomarkers for AD, but to date, no similar studies have been conducted for canine dementia. The aim of the present study was to assess plasma Aß1-42 and Aß1-40 levels in a blind study using pet dogs that were either successfully aging or exhibiting CDS. The severity of cognitive impairment was assessed using an owner-based questionnaire. On average, young dogs presented significantly higher plasma levels of Aß1-42 and Aß1-40 than aged, cognitively unimpaired dogs. Notably, among aged dogs, the levels of Aß1-42 and the Aß42/40 ratio were significantly higher in those showing mild cognitive impairment than in either cognitively unimpaired or severely affected dogs. These results suggest that increased plasma Aß1-42 levels and Aß42/40 ratio could be a biomarker for canine cognitive dysfunction, which is considered an excellent natural model of early AD.

Serotonin transporter activity in platelets and canine aggression.

Several studies have suggested an inhibitory action of the serotonergic system in the regulation of canine aggression, but the role of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter (5-HTT) has not been investigated. Platelet 5-HT uptake has been proposed as a peripheral marker of brain 5-HTT. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between platelet 5-HTT activity and canine aggression by measuring the rate of 5-HT uptake mediated by 5-HTT in platelets and serum concentrations of 5-HT in both aggressive (n=14) and non-aggressive dogs (n=17). Aggressive dogs showed significantly higher 5-HT uptake by 5-HTT in platelets and lower serum concentrations of 5-HT, compared with the control group. These results suggested an association between an alteration in the serotonergic system and canine aggression, possibly mediated by an increased 5-HT transport.