Venlafaxine deprescribing and thyroid function.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This report highlights the effects of discontinuing venlafaxine on thyroid function in an older adult with previously well-managed Hashimoto thyroiditis and sleep apnea. DESIGN: Concurrent intervention. CASE STUDY: Setting Community-based psychiatry practice Patient - 66 year old female Intervention Over 8 months, a 66-year-old patient slowly reduced the venlafaxine dose. She was treated simultaneously for sleep apnea. Measurements Clinical data including venlafaxine and levothyroxine dosing, thyroid hormone laboratory values, subjective complaints, and objective electrocardiographic (ECG) findings were aggregated and analyzed. MAIN RESULTS: As venlafaxine dose was decreased over time, the patient complained of bounding heart palpitations shown to be premature ventricular contractions, and wide and narrow complex ventricular tachycardia on ECG. Thyroid-stimulating hormone decreased from a baseline value of 0.791 uIU/mL to a nadir of 0.18 uIU/mL during venlafaxine dosage reduction from 225 mg/day to 155 mg/day. Cardiac symptoms subsided following levothyroxine dosage reduction. CONCLUSIONS: There was a direct relationship between antidepressant dosage reduction and levothyroxine dosage requirements. Cautious monitoring is recommended during venlafaxine deprescribing in patients with pre-existing thyroid disease.

Unintended impacts of a national antipsychotic reduction initiative among nursing facility residents with and without Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: In July 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services launched an antipsychotic reduction initiative (ARI) to improve care for nursing facility residents with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). We examined the impact of this policy on antipsychotic and psychotropic medication (PM) utilization and diagnosis patterns in long-stay nursing facility residents with ADRD and other conditions in which antipsychotics are indicated. METHODS: Using an 80% sample of fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with Part D, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of nursing facility residents with ADRD, bipolar disorder, psychosis, Parkinson's disease, and residents exempt from the policy due to diagnoses of schizophrenia, Tourette syndrome, and/or Huntington's disease. We used interrupted time-series analyses to compare changes in diagnoses, antipsychotic use, and PM utilization before (January 1, 2011-June 30, 2012) and after (July 1, 2012-September 30, 2015) ARI implementation. RESULTS: We identified 874,487 long-stay nursing facility residents with a diagnosis of ADRD (n = 358,518), exempt (n = 92,859), bipolar (n = 128,298), psychosis (n = 93,402), and Parkinson's disease (n = 80,211). In all cohorts, antipsychotic use declined prior to the ARI; upon policy implementation, antipsychotic use reductions were sustained throughout the study period, including statistically significant ARI-associated accelerated declines in all cohorts. PM changes varied by cohort, with ARI-associated increases in non-benzodiazepine sedatives and/or muscle relaxants noted in ADRD, psychosis, and Parkinson's cohorts. Although anticonvulsant use increased throughout the study period in all groups, with the exception of the bipolar cohort, these increases were not associated with ARI implementation. Findings are minimally explained by increased post-ARI membership in the psychosis and Parkinson's cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Our study documents antipsychotic use significantly declined in non-ADRD clinical and exempt cohorts, where such reductions may not be clinically warranted. Furthermore, ARI-associated compensatory increases in PMs do not offset these reductions. Changes in PM utilization and diagnostic make-up of residents using PMs require further investigation to assess the potential for adverse clinical and economic outcomes.

Examining transitions of care among nursing home residents with and without antipsychotic medication use.

OBJECTIVES: This study examines the association between antipsychotic (AP) medication use and care transitions in the nursing home (NH) population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from a 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries between 2011 and 2015. Propensity score adjusted negative binomial regression was performed and conditional probabilities of having a first transition from the NH to specific locations were calculated. RESULTS: Among 150,284 eligible beneficiaries, the majority were female (67%), white (84%), and >75 years old (63%). Controlling for resident characteristics, the odds of having any transition was 5% lower among those with AP use [IRR (95% confidence interval (CI))=0.95(0.94-0.96)] relative to those with no AP use. Residents with AP use had higher proportions of transitions to hospital (22.7% vs. 19.5%, p < 0.01), emergency department (19.6% vs. 10.7%, p < 0.01), and different NH (1.5% vs. 0.4%, p < 0.01), and lower proportions of transition to non-healthcare locations compared to those without AP use. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate that residents with AP use had higher probabilities of transitions to more costly care settings such as the emergency department and hospital compared to those without AP use. Future longitudinal studies will help to inform clinical interventions aimed at improving the quality of care for this population.

Social determinants predict whether Medicare beneficiaries are offered a Comprehensive Medication Review.

BACKGROUND: Medication reviews through Medicare's Medication Therapy Management (MTM) program may improve patient outcomes and lower health system costs, but these effects could be limited by a program design that does not address social determinants of health. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of social determinants of health on the odds of an eligible Medicare beneficiary not being offered Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR). METHODS: Using the full 100% sample of the 2016 Part D Medication Therapy Management Data File linked to Medicare Master Beneficiary Summary File, a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis was conducted to determine which social and demographic variables are most strongly associated with being eligible for a CMR but not being offered one. Descriptive statistics were generated using SAS studio 3.8. RESULTS: Variables associated with the highest odds of not receiving a CMR when eligible are residence in Louisiana OR 1.79 (95%CI 1.70-1.88), receiving the LIS OR 1.76 (1.73-1.79), dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid OR 1.25 (1.12-1.41), and Black race OR 1.19 (1.16-1.21). CONCLUSIONS: Social determinants of health, most strongly geography and low-income status, predict being eligible for but not being offered CMR. Race continues to be a factor in disparate access to MTM services.

Understanding the Socioeconomic and Geographical Characteristics of Beneficiaries Receiving a Comprehensive Medication Review.

BACKGROUND: Medicare Part D sponsors are required to offer medication therapy management (MTM) programs to eligible beneficiaries. Recent studies have demonstrated that there have been racial/ethnic disparities in MTM eligibility criteria. For example, compared with non-Hispanic White beneficiaries, Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black beneficiaries are less likely to be eligible for MTM. However, there is limited evidence for socioeconomic and geographical characteristics of those who are eligible and receive MTM services. OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic characteristics of Medicare beneficiaries who received MTM services. METHODS: As part of a previous study, a national survey evaluated a convenience sample of perspectives of Medicare beneficiaries on the MTM standardized format. The survey was distributed through Medicare Part D plans to beneficiaries receiving MTM services from 2017-2018. As part of the survey, respondents could provide their ZIP codes. Geographical variables, such as the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) urban-rural classification scheme and economic research service (ERS) county typology codes, were then applied to respondents' ZIP codes, allowing for the classification of counties or census tracts by urbanization and economic dependence measures. Descriptive statistics are reported for demographic, geographical, and socioeconomic information. RESULTS: Of the 300 (of 434) respondents who provided their ZIP codes, 51.3% were aged 65-74 years; 50% were male; and 66.7% had at least a college education. There were 82.7% who self-identified as White, while only 8% self-identified as Hispanic or Black/African American. The majority of respondents (58.4%) lived in large metropolitan areas as defined by the NCHS urban-rural classification scheme. Respondents' counties were characterized by economic dependence with 14.0% of respondents living in federal/state government-dependent counties and 12.7% living in recreation-dependent counties. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of respondents who provided their ZIP codes identified themselves as White and lived in large metropolitan areas. Respondents who identified themselves as Hispanic or Black/African American were not well represented. This study provides geographical and socioeconomic characteristics of Medicare beneficiaries who received MTM services and highlights racial/ethnic differences. Further work is needed to confirm geographical and socioeconomic disparities among beneficiaries who received MTM services. DISCLOSURES: No outside funding supported this study. Pellegrin is a member of the AMCP MTM Advisory Group. The other authors have nothing to disclose.

Emerging Pharmacotherapy and Health Care Needs of Patients in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization.

Advances in the application of artificial intelligence, digitization, technology, iCloud computing, and wearable devices in health care predict an exciting future for health care professionals and our patients. Projections suggest an older, generally healthier, better-informed but financially less secure patient population of wider cultural and ethnic diversity that live throughout the United States. A pragmatic yet structured approach is recommended to prepare health care professionals and patients for emerging pharmacotherapy needs. Clinician training should include genomics, cloud computing, use of large data sets, implementation science, and cultural competence. Patients will need support for wearable devices and reassurance regarding digital medicine.

Identifying and Bridging the Gaps in Antimicrobial Stewardship in Post-Acute and Long-Term Care.

National organizations have developed guidelines and tools for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in post-acute and long-term care (PALTC), but there is a need to effectively translate these into actionable, measurable, and impactful programs. An electronic needs assessment survey was developed and distributed to health care providers and administrators involved with AMS activities in PALTC facilities in Maryland. The results of this survey were used to develop a statewide initiative to improve AMS in nursing facilities. The survey revealed that barriers to implementing AMS include limited access or poor utilization of experts in AMS and infectious disease, adverse event data collection tools, and locally developed protocols and guidelines. Strategies to improve AMS included the provision of free continuing education to a multidisciplinary audience and improved access to individuals with expertise in infectious disease and the development of an adverse drug event tool. Continuing to provide meaningful tools and resources that address the specific needs of nursing facilities should lead to improved compliance with regulations and ultimately improved resident outcomes. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 46(1), 8-13.].

Navigating the Minefield of QTc Interval-Prolonging Therapy in Nursing Facility Residents.

BACKGROUND: The exponential increase in the number of medications associated with clinically important prolongation of the heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) places older adults at increased risk of arrhythmias including life-threatening torsade de pointes (TdP) and sudden death. Risk factors, other than age older than 65 years and female sex, include multiple concurrent drugs that prolong QTc and a variety of underlying predisposing conditions. Although electronic medical records and pharmacy dispensing systems can alert clinicians to the risk of QTc-prolonging therapy, more than 95% of safety alerts are overridden, and many systems have deactivated QTc drug interaction alerts. The clinical consequences, magnitude of the effect, mitigation strategies, and recommended monitoring are not well defined for nursing facility (NF) residents. DESIGN: Narrative review. SETTING: NFs in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: NF residents. RESULTS: Medications known to prolong QTc include selected anti-infectives, antidepressants, urinary anticholinergics, antipsychotics, and cholinesterase inhibitors (eg, donepezil), used commonly in NFs. Drug-drug interactions are a risk when adding a medication that exaggerates the effect or inhibits the metabolism of a QTc-prolonging medication. The vast majority of patients in whom TdP is induced by noncardiac drugs have risk factors that are easily identifiable. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations are provided to improve standardization and use of drug interaction alerts, evaluate the risk of QTc-prolonging drugs in older adults receiving generally lower doses, validate a QTc risk score addressing complex multimorbidity, garner evidence to guide clinical decision making, avail NFs of access to electrocardiograms and interpretive recommendations, and develop standards of practice for hosting risk discussions with residents and their families. J Am Geriatr Soc, 1-8, 2019.

Quality Clinical Care in Nursing Facilities.

Despite improvements in selected nursing facility (NF) quality measures such as reduction in antipsychotic use; local, state, and national initiatives; and regulatory incentives, the quality of clinical care delivered in this setting remains inconsistent. Herein, recommendations for overcoming barriers to achieving consistent, high-quality clinical outcomes in long-term (LTC) and post-acute care are provided to address inadequate workforce, suboptimal culture and interprofessional teamwork, insufficiently evidence-based processes of care, and poor adoption and fidelity of technology and integrated clinical decision support. With high staff attrition rates in NFs, mechanisms to measure and close knowledge gaps as well as opportunities for practice simulations should be available to educate and ensure adoption of clinical quality standards on clinician hiring and on an ongoing basis. Multipronged, integrated approaches are needed to further the quest for sustainment of high clinical quality in NF care. In addition to setting a tone for attainment of clinical quality, leadership should champion adoption of practice standards, quality initiatives, and evidence-based guidelines. Maintaining an optimal ratio of hours per resident per day of nurses and nurse aides can improve quality outcomes and staff satisfaction. Clinicians must consistently and effectively apply care processes that include recognition, problem definition, diagnosis, goal identification, intervention, and monitoring resident progress. In order to do so they must have rapid, easy access to necessary tools, including evidence-based standards, algorithms, care plans, during the care delivery process. Embedding such tools into workflow of electronic health records has the potential to improve quality outcomes. On a national and international level, quality standards should be developed by interprofessional LTC experts committed to applying the highest levels of clinical evidence to improve the care of older persons. The standards should be realistic and practical, and basic principles of implementation science must be used to achieve the desired outcomes.

Perceptions of Nursing Facility Providers on the Utility of Deprescribing.

OBJECTIVE: Potentially inappropriate medications carry significant burden and costs to nursing facility residents and health systems. The goal of this study was to survey nursing facility providers from across the United States to describe the current utilization of deprescribing, and perceptions and desired components of a deprescribing program, in nursing facilities to reduce potentially inappropriate medications. DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS/MEASUREMENT: We surveyed health care providers who attended the 2017 AMDA-The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine Annual Conference-in Phoenix, Arizona. Returned surveys were entered into an electronic database from paper copies. Survey responses were summarized using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Of the 1,431 conference attendees, 637 surveys were returned for a 45% response rate. Most respondents were physicians (n = 563, 88%). Respondents indicated a strong agreement with the potential for deprescribing to reduce cost to residents and nursing administration time and burden, while disagreeing that deprescribing may be depersonalizing. Respondents indicated clear preference for deprescribing programs to target medications that are no longer indicated and are "high risk," and that such programs should include discussions with the resident. Respondents also agreed that deprescribing programs are successful if the resident, or the resident's family and/or caregivers, reports an improvement in quality of life. CONCLUSION: Among respondents there was a high degree of confidence in the potential impact of deprescribing initiatives, as well as a broad consensus of desired components. This information may increase consultant pharmacist engagement and drive future proactive deprescribing initiatives.

Identification of pseudobulbar affect symptoms in the nursing home setting: Development and assessment of a screening tool.

Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) is a neurologic condition characterized by involuntary outbursts of crying and/or laughing disproportionate to patient mood or social context. Although an estimated 9% of nursing home residents have symptoms suggestive of PBA, they are not routinely screened. Our goal was to develop an electronic screening tool based upon characteristics common to nursing home residents with PBA identified through medical record data. Nursing home residents with PBA treated with dextromethorphan hydrobromide/quinidine sulfate (n = 140) were compared to age-, gender-, and dementia-diagnosis-matched controls without PBA or treatment (n = 140). Comparative categories included diagnoses, medication use and symptom documentation. Using a multivariable regression and best decision rule analysis, we found PBA in nursing home residents was associated with chart documentation of uncontrollable crying, presence of a neurologic disorder (e.g., Parkinson's disease), or by the documented presence of at least 2 of the following: stroke, severe cognitive impairment, and schizophrenia. Based on these risk factors, an electronic screening tool was created.

Clinical and Functional Characteristics of Nursing Facility Residents with Opioid-Induced Constipation.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to determine the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and treatment differences of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in older adults with noncancer pain compared with opioid-treated patients without OIC. DESIGN: Retrospective database analysis. SETTING: United States nursing facilities: Patients, Participants, facility residents. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Minimum data set and prescription claims, pain, impaired cognition, falls, delirium, and drug treatment. RESULTS: We found an OIC prevalence of 8.9%. Nursing facility residents with OIC are more likely to have severe pain (31.3% vs. 29%; P < 0.001), pain in the last 5 days (71.2% vs. 69.2%; P < 0.001), almost constant pain (18.1% vs.13.3%; P < 0.001), and pain interfering with daily activities (36.1% vs. 30%; P < 0.001). Strong opioids were more likely prescribed and the duration of use was longer than in non-OIC nursing facility residents. Cognitive impairment (56.3% vs. 49.8%; P < 0.001), fall rate (4.8% vs. 2.5%; P = 0.023), delirium indicators (confusion assessment method; P < 0.001), urinary incontinence (59.1% vs. 54.9%; P < 0.001), depression (66.5% vs. 61.6%; P < 0.001), and depression severity score (4.7% vs. 4.3%; P < 0.001) were higher in nursing facility residents with OIC. Nursing facility residents with OIC had a higher percentage of concomitantly prescribed anticholinergic medications (76.7% vs. 70.0%; P < 0.001) and a higher mean anticholinergic burden score (1.4% vs. 1.1%; P < 0.001). Over-the-counter laxatives were used more often than prescription laxatives: polyethylene glycol (43%), docusate (31.1%), and senna/sennosides (23%) vs. lactulose (18.1%) and lubiprostone (2.2%). CONCLUSION: Nursing facility residents with OIC experience suboptimal pain relief, additional anticholinergic adverse drug-related effects, and a decreased quality of life.

Comprehensive Medication Reviews in Long-term Care Facilities: History of Process Implementation and 2015 Results.

BACKGROUND: Since 2013, Part D sponsors have been required to offer comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs) to all beneficiaries enrolled in their medication therapy management (MTM) programs at least annually, including those in long-term care (LTC) settings. Since that time, MTM providers have found that accessing and completing CMRs with beneficiaries is frequently prohibitively complex, since the process often requires a live, face-to-face interactive interview where the beneficiary resides. However, with the migration of the CMR completion rate from a star ratings display measure to an active measure, coupled with the new CMR completion rate cutpoints for 2016, accessing this population for CMR completion has heightened importance. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Our proprietary consultant pharmacist (CP) software was programmed in 2012 to produce a cover letter, medication action plan, and personal medication list per CMS standardized format specifications. Using this system, CPs were trained to perform and document CMRs and the interactive interviews. MTM-eligible Part D beneficiaries, identified by several contracted clients as residing in LTC serviced by Omnicare, were provided CMRs and summaries written in CMS standardized format by CPs. Residents with cognitive impairment were identified using 3 data elements in the Minimum Data Set (MDS). OBSERVATIONS: In 2015, 7,935 MTM-eligible beneficiaries were identified as receiving medications from an Omnicare pharmacy. After excluding those who were disenrolled by their prescription drug plans, discharged from the LTC facility, or resided in a LTC facility no longer serviced by Omnicare, 5,593 residents were available for CMR completion. Of these, only 3% refused the CMR offer, and 5,392 CMRs (96%) were completed successfully. Thirty-nine percent of residents had cognitive impairment per MDS assessments; in those instances, CMRs were conducted with someone other than the beneficiary. Based on the CMRs and interactive interviews, 7,527 drug therapy problem recommendations were made to prescribers, about 50% of which resulted in an alteration in therapy, including reductions in polypharmacy and high-risk medications. IMPLICATIONS: The CMR process and written summary in CMS standardized format works effectively for residents in LTC when performed by CPs in the facility, as evidenced by high completion rates and drug therapy problem identification/resolution. Part D plans should further consider using CPs to conduct CMRs in LTC settings. DISCLOSURES: No outside funding supported this research. All authors are employees of Omnicare, a CVS Health Company, and are stockholders of CVS Health. O'Shea and Zarowitz have received research funding (unrelated to the submitted work) from Acadia, AstraZeneca, and Sunovion. The abstract for this article was presented as a research poster at the Academy of Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy 2016 Annual Meeting; April 21, 2016; San Francisco, California. Study concept and design were contributed by O'Shea and Zarowitz, along with Erwin. O'Shea collected the data, and data interpretation was performed primarily by O'Shea, along with Zarowitz and Erwin. The manuscript was written by O'Shea, along with Zarowitz, and revised primarily by Zarowitz, along with O'Shea and Erwin.

Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescriptions/Screening Tools to Alert Doctors to Right Treatment Medication Criteria Modified for U.S. Nursing Home Setting.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a set of prescribing indicators measurable with available data from electronic nursing home (NH) databases by adapting the European-based 2014 Screening Tool of Older Person's Prescriptions (STOPP) and Screening Tools to Alert Doctors to Right Treatment (START) criteria of potentially inappropriate and underused medications for the U.S. DESIGN: A two-stage expert panel process. In the first stage, the investigator team reviewed 114 criteria for compatibility and measurability. In the second stage, an online modified e-Delphi (OMD) panel was convened to rate the validity of criteria, and two webinars were held to identify criteria with highest relevance to U.S. NHs. PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen experts with recognized reputations in NH care participated in the e-Delphi panel and 12 in the webinar. MEASUREMENTS: Compatibility and measurability were assessed by comparing criteria with U.S. terminology and setting standards and data elements in NH databases. Validity was rated using a 9-point Likert-type scale (1 = not valid at all, 9 = highly valid). Mean, median, interpercentile ranges, and agreement were determined for each criterion score. Relevance was determined by ranking the mean panel ratings on criteria that reached agreement; the webinar participants reviewed and approved half of the criteria with the highest mean values. RESULTS: Fifty-three STOPP/START criteria were deemed to be compatible with the U.S. NH setting and measurable using data from electronic NH databases. E-Delphi panelists rated 48 criteria as valid for U.S. NHs. Twenty-four criteria were deemed to be most relevant, consisting of 22 measures of potentially inappropriate medications and two measures of underused medications. CONCLUSION: This study created the first explicit criteria for assessing the quality of prescribing in U.S. NHs.

Challenges in the Pharmacological Management of Nursing Home Residents with Overactive Bladder or Urinary Incontinence.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of nursing home (NH) residents (NHR) with overactive bladder (OAB) or urinary incontinence (UI) with potential pharmacodynamic contraindications to antimuscarinic treatment because of concomitant anticholinergic medications or acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) and nonpharmacological limitations to antimuscarinic treatment. DESIGN: Cross-sectional retrospective analysis. SETTING: U.S. skilled nursing facilities. PARTICIPANTS: Nursing home residents with a diagnosis of OAB or UI. MEASUREMENTS: Linked and deidentified pharmacy claims and Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 records (October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2012). RESULTS: Of NHRs, 71.3% received at least one anticholinergic medication. Medications that can cause or worsen UI were used commonly. AChEIs and antimuscarinic treatment were prescribed concurrently in 24% of NHRs with OAB or UI. NHRs with OAB or UI were more likely to have concurrent moderate to severe cognitive impairment (MSCI) (70.1%) than those without (29.9%) (P < .001). NHRs with or without OAB or UI and with MSCI were more likely to be treated with an anticholinergic medication than those without MSCI (P = .001). When NHRs with MSCI, severe mobility impairment (SMI), and anticholinergic medication and AChEI use were excluded, only a small proportion of NHRs were potential candidates for antimuscarinic treatment (6.6% with OAB or UI, 6.2% with UI). CONCLUSIONS: This study advances understanding of the challenges in prescribing antimuscarinic treatment safely and appropriately in elderly NHRs with a high prevalence of drug interactions, underlying MSCI, and SMI.