Potentially inappropriate prescriptions of anticholinergics drugs in Alzheimer's disease patients.

AIM: Alzheimer's disease is a common cause of dementia, and is usually treated with medications that elevate acetylcholine levels. The objective of the present study was to identify drugs with anticholinergic properties prescribed to patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in Colombia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in outpatients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease who were identified from a population database from Colombia, and had been treated with cholinesterase inhibitors and glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists. The anticholinergic burden was evaluated using the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden scale, and patients were classified on a scale of 0-3 points according to anticholinergic potential, and were grouped into those with mild-to-moderate (1-2 points) or high (≥3 points) anticholinergic load. RESULTS: The study included 4134 Alzheimer's disease patients. The mean age was 81.50 ± 8.16 years, and 67.8% were women. At least 22.9% of patients took anticholinergic drugs. Of these, the most frequently prescribed medication was quetiapine (8.6%). Age >85 years was associated with a high risk of having an anticholinergic burden ≥3 points (OR 2.19, 95%CI 1.159-4.162). Potential interactions between cholinesterase inhibitors and anticholinergic drugs were identified in 7.8% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients who were prescribed anticholinergic drugs were older women, had a significant total anticholinergic burden and had frequent pharmacological interactions with cholinesterase inhibitors. The use of anticholinergics reduces the clinical effectiveness of antidementia drugs and increases the risk of adverse reactions. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 913-917.

Recommendations by the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy, the Spanish Society of Oncology Nursing and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology for the safe management of antineoplastic medication in cancer patients.

AIM: To define recommendations that permit safe management of antineoplastic medication, minimise medication errors and improve the safety of cancer patients undergoing treatment. METHODS: By reviewing the literature and consulting the websites of various health organisations and agencies, an expert committee from the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology defined a set of safe practices covering all stages of providing cancer therapy to patients. The Spanish Society of Oncology Nursing revised and endorsed the final list. RESULTS: In total, 68 recommendations arranged in five sections were defined. They include issues concerning the training of health professionals, the technological resources needed, treatment planning, informing the patient and his/her family, the processes of prescribing, preparing, dispensing and administering cancer therapy (orally, parenterally or intrathecally), assessing patient adherence and treatment toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: It is essential for healthcare establishments to implement specific measures designed to prevent medication errors, in order to ensure the safety of cancer patients treated with antineoplastic medication.

Medication Regimen Complexity Measured by MRCI: A Systematic Review to Identify Health Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review to identify health outcomes related to medication regimen complexity as measured by the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) instrument. DATA SOURCES: Cochrane Library, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Open Thesis, and Web of Science were searched from January 1, 2004, until April 02, 2018, using the following search terms: outcome assessment, drug therapy, and Medication Regimen Complexity Index and their synonyms in different combinations. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Studies that used the MRCI instrument to measure medication regimen complexity and related it to clinical, humanistic, and/or economic outcomes were evaluated. Two reviewers independently carried out the analysis of the titles, abstracts, and complete texts according to the eligibility criteria, performed data extraction, and evaluated study quality. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 23 studies met the inclusion criteria; 18 health outcomes related to medication regimen complexity were found. The health outcomes most influenced by medication regimen complexity were hospital readmission, medication adherence, hospitalization, adverse drug events, and emergency sector visit. Only one study related medication regimen complexity with humanistic outcomes, and no study related medication regimen complexity to economic outcomes. Most of the studies were of good methodological quality. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: Health care professionals should pay attention to medication regimen complexity of the patients because this may influence health outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study identified some health outcomes that may be influenced by medication regimen complexity: hospitalization, hospital readmission, and medication adherence were more prevalent, showing a significant association between MRCI increase and these health outcomes.

Validation and standardization of the Brazilian version of the Medication Regimen Complexity Index for older adults in primary care.

AIM: To validate and standardize the Brazilian version of the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) for older adults in primary healthcare. METHODS: A cross-sectional methodological study was carried out with elderly patients attending primary healthcare centers in southeastern Brazil. Convergent validity was tested by correlating MRCI scores with medication number. Divergent validity was tested by correlating MRCI scores with age, sex, cognition, and basic and instrumental activities of daily living. Reliability was assessed by interrater and test-retest reliability. Regarding standardization, percentiles were calculated for the total MRCI scores. RESULTS: A total of 227 older adults were included, with a mean age of 71.4 years (standard deviation 7.5 years) and mostly women (70.9%). There was a correlation between MRCI scores and medication number (rho = 0.890; P = 0.000). There was no correlation between MRCI scores and age (P = 0.192), sex (P = 0.052), cognition (P = 0.369), and basic (P = 0.682) and instrumental (P = 0.582) activities of daily living. High interrater (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.98; rho = 0.991) and test-retest (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.996; rho = 0.985) reliability was obtained. The following complexity was considered: low, MRCI ≤ 9.0 points; average 0.9 < MRCI ≤ 16.5 points; and high, MRCI > 16.5 points. CONCLUSIONS: MRCI showed satisfactory psychometric qualities for measuring regimen complexity of older adults attending the primary healthcare centers evaluated. Standardization might increase the applicability of MRCI to the health research context. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 853-859.

Administração segura de medicamentos via endovenosa: uma proposta para o hospital universitário / Safe intravenous drug administration: a proposal for the university hospital

Introdução: A assistência à saúde com qualidade e segurança é um tema atual e pertinente aos serviços de saúde, que tem se preocupado em aprimorar seus processos com base nos preceitos desta temática. Este estudo visa contribuir para qualidade e segurança na assistência aos pacientes no que concerne a administração de medicamentos. E também pretende contribuir com o ensino e pesquisa nesta área na medida em que trata um delineamento da realidade de uma Instituição de Ensino e busca propor uma uniformização do processo. Objetivos: Identificar a dinâmica de administração de medicamentos. Elaborar um Procedimento Operacional Padrão para administração de medicamentos via endovenosa. Elaborar Lista de Verificação (CheckList) com as etapas a serem seguidas para uma administração segura de medicamentos para avaliar adesão dos profissionais. Os produtos oriundos dessa pesquisa foram: Procedimento Operacional Padrão para administração de medicamentos via endovenosa e um CheckList com as etapas para administração segura de medicamentos.Método:Estudo descritivo com abordagem qualitativa para análise dos dados. Os participantes foram os membros da Equipe de Enfermagem da enfermaria de escolha, a coleta de dados foi realizada por meio da observação direta guiada por um roteiro de observação, no segundo semestre de 2015, de segunda a domingo, nos três turnos de trabalho após a assinatura do Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido, sendo a amostra não probabilística por conveniência. Este estudo foi aprovado pelo comitê de ética das instituições proponente e co-participante sob os pareceres n° 1.262.690 e 1.301.318. Resultados: Foi observado um total de 23 doses de medicamentos por via endovenosa. Foi observada adesão superior à 50% na maioria das etapas da administração de medicamentos. Porém ressaltou-se como pontos de atenção uma adesão de 17% ao uso de EPI durante a manipulação dos medicamentos, 17% à desinfecção das conexões antes da administração e 15% à higienização das mãos logo após o procedimento antes de retornar ao posto de enfermagem. Conclusão: Os achados desta pesquisa apontam para necessidade de intervenção em questões da prática dos profissionais como higienização das mãos e uso de EPI's. Esses dados corroboram a necessidade de uma uniformização da prática assistencial no que concerne a administração de medicamentos visando à qualidade e segurança da assistência de Enfermagem

Introduction: Health care with quality and safety is a current topic and pertinent to health services, which has been concerned with improving its processes based on the precepts of this theme. This study aims to contribute to quality and safety in patient care in drug administration. It also intends to contribute to teaching and research in this area insofar as it deals with a delineation of the reality of a teaching institution and seeks to propose a standardization of the process. Objectives: To identify the dynamics of drug administration. Elaborate a Standard Operating Procedure for intravenous drug administration. Elaborate Checklist with the steps to follow for safe administration of medications to assess adherence of professionals. The products that came from this research were: Standard Operating Procedure for intravenous drug administration and a CheckList with the steps for safe administration of drugs. Method: Descriptive study with qualitative approach for data analysis. Participants were members of the Nursing Team of the infirmary of choice, data collection was done through direct observation guided by an observation script, in the second half of 2015, from Monday to Sunday, in the three work shifts after the signature of the Free and Informed Consent Term, being the non-probabilistic sample for convenience. This study was approved by the ethics committee of the proposing institutions and co-participant under the reports no. 1,262,690 and 1,301,318. Results: A total of 23 intravenous drug doses were observed. Adherence was higher than 50% in most stages of drug administration. However, a 17% adherence to the use of PPE during the manipulation of medications, 17% to the disinfection of the connections before administration and 15% to the hygiene of the hands soon after the procedure before returning to the nursing station . Conclusion: The findings of this research point to the need for intervention in issues of professional practice such as hand hygiene and use of PPE. These data corroborate the need for a standardization of care practice regarding the administration of medicines aiming at the quality and safety of Nursing care

Nivel de conocimiento de las enfermeras acerca de la manipulación y administración parenteral de quimioterapia en pacientes hospitalizados en la Clínica Ricardo Palma 2012 / Level of knowledge of nurses about handling and parenteral administration of chemotherapy in patients hospitalized at the Clinical Ricardo Palma 2012

Objetivo: Determinar el nivel de conocimientos de las enfermeras acerca de la manipulación y administración parenteral de la quimioterapia en pacientes hospitalizados en la Clínica Ricardo Palma. Material y Método: El estudio fue de tipo cuantitativo, nivel aplicativo, método descriptivo, de corte transversal y prospectivo. La población estuvo conformada por 38 enfermeras(os) de los Servicios de Hospitalización durante los meses de julio a diciembre del 2012. Resultados: El nivel de conocimiento de las enfermeras(os) acerca de la manipulación y administración parenteral de la quimioterapia en los pacientes hospitalizados; del 100 por ciento (38), 73.7 por ciento (28) tienen un nivel de conocimiento medio, 15.8 por ciento (6) seguido de alto y 10.5 por ciento (4) es bajo. En la dimensión de la manipulación de la quimioterapia; 73.7 por ciento (28) es medio, 15.8 por ciento (6) seguido de alto y 10.5 por ciento (4) es bajo; y en la dimensión de la administración parenteral de la quimioterapia; 47.4 por ciento (18) es medio, 28.9 por ciento (11) seguido de alto y 23.7 por ciento (9) es bajo. Conclusiones: El nivel de conocimiento de las enfermeras(os) acerca de la manipulación y administración parenteral de la quimioterapia en pacientes hospitalizados de la Clínica Ricardo Palma es medio; en cuanto a la manipulación de citostáticos es medio porque pocos saben las medidas de protección al manipular los citostáticos; la forma de eliminarse los citostáticos; las formas de absorción a largo plazo; y el control periódico de la salud; y respecto a la administración porque pocos saben cómo es la preparación psicológica del paciente; las vías de administración de quimioterapia; el efecto secundario frecuente; y qué hacer cuando hay residuos de medicamentos de las infusiones.

Objective: To determine the level of knowledge of nurses about handling and parenteral administration of chemotherapy in patients hospitalized in the Clinical Ricardo Palma. Methods: The study was a quantitative, application level, descriptive method, cross-sectional and prospective. The sample consisted of 38 nurses of patient services during the months of July to December 2012. Results: The level of knowledge of nurses on handling and parenteral administration of chemotherapy in hospitalized patients, 100 per cent (38) 73.7 per cent (28) have an average knowledge level, 15.8 per cent (6) followed by high and 10.5 per cent (4) is low. In the dimension of the manipulation of chemotherapy, 73.7 per cent (28) is medium, 15.8 per cent (6) followed by high and 10.5 per cent (4) is low, and the dimension of the parenteral administration of chemotherapy; 47.4 per cent (18) is average, 28.9 per cent (11) followed by high and 23.7 per cent (9) is low. Conclusions: The level of knowledge of nurses on handling and parenteral administration of chemotherapy in inpatient Clinical Ricardo Palma is medium, in terms of handling cytostatics is medium because few know the protective measures to handling cytostatics, eliminated the form of cytostatics, forms of long-term absorption, and regular monitoring of health, and on the administration because few know how is the psychological preparation of the patient, the route of administration of chemotherapy; common side effect, and what to do when there are drug residues infusions.

Medication preparation and administration: analysis of inquiries and information by the nursing team.

This study analyzed questions presented by nursing technicians and auxiliaries during medication preparation and administration. Data were collected through a form in which nurses who worked in the hospitalization unit of a general hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, were asked to take notes of any questions asked to them. Most of the 255 questions were related to medication dilution (103). Regarding the answers source, only 7.5% of answers were obtained from pharmaceutical professionals, 35.5% of the answers given by nurses was incorrect or partially correct, which can constitute a factor for medication administration errors. In addition, there are no pharmacists present in hospitalization units of Brazilian hospitals. These professionals could, jointly with nurses, facilitate medication orientation to nursing professionals during preparation and administration, as well as to patients themselves.

Medication preparation and administration: analysis of inquiries and information by the nursing team / Preparación y administración de medicamentos: análisis de cuestionamientos e informaciones del equipo de enfermería / Preparo e administração de medicamentos: análise de questionamentos e informações da equipe de enfermagem

This study analyzed questions presented by nursing technicians and auxiliaries during medication preparation and administration. Data were collected through a form in which nurses who worked in the hospitalization unit of a general hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, were asked to take notes of any questions asked to them. Most of the 255 questions were related to medication dilution (103). Regarding the answers source, only 7.5 percent of answers were obtained from pharmaceutical professionals, 35.5 percent of the answers given by nurses was incorrect or partially correct, which can constitute a factor for medication administration errors. In addition, there are no pharmacists present in hospitalization units of Brazilian hospitals. These professionals could, jointly with nurses, facilitate medication orientation to nursing professionals during preparation and administration, as well as to patients themselves.

Este estudio analizó las preguntas presentadas por técnicos y auxiliares de enfermería a los enfermeros durante la preparación y administración de medicamentos. Para recopilar los datos, se utilizó un formulario entregue a los enfermeros de unidades de internación de un hospital general del interior del Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, solicitando que anotaran las dudas que recibieran. La mayoría de las 255 preguntas estaba relacionada a la disolución del medicamento (103). Respecto a las respuestas, solamente el 7,5 por ciento de estas fue obtenido a través de los profesionales de la farmacia. Se destaca que el 35,5 por ciento de las respuestas emitidas por los enfermeros estaban incorrectas o parcialmente correctas, lo que puede constituir un factor para errores en la administración de medicamentos. Además, no existen farmacéuticos en las unidades de internación en los hospitales brasileños. Estos podrían, en conjunto con los enfermeros, facilitar la orientación de los profesionales de enfermería en cuanto a los medicamentos, en el momento de su preparación y administración, y también de los propios pacientes.

Este estudo analisou os questionamentos apresentados por técnicos e auxiliares de enfermagem aos enfermeiros durante o preparo e administração de medicamentos. Para coleta dos dados utilizou-se um formulário entregue aos enfermeiros de unidades de internação de um hospital geral do interior paulista, solicitando que anotassem as dúvidas dos profissionais da equipe que lhe fossem endereçadas. Foram registrados pelos enfermeiros 255 questionamentos sendo que a maioria destes estava relacionada à diluição do medicamento (103). Com relação às respostas dos enfermeiros às dúvidas, somente 7,5 por cento destas foram obtidas através dos profissionais da farmácia. Ressalta-se que 35,5 por cento das respostas emitidas pelos enfermeiros estavam incorretas ou parcialmente corretas podendo constituir fator para erros na administração de medicamentos. Somado a isto, inexistem farmacêuticos nas unidades de internação nos hospitais brasileiros, os quais poderiam, juntamente com o enfermeiro, facilitar a orientação dos profissionais de enfermagem quanto aos medicamentos, no momento do preparo e administração dos mesmos, bem como ao próprio paciente.

Disponibilidad y uso de medicamentos antimaláricos en Bolivia / Availability and use of drugs im Bolivia antimaláricos

Pregunta de investigación ¿Como es la disponibilidad y el uso de los antimaláricos en Bolivia? Objetivos. Evaluar la disponibilidad y uso de los medicamentos antimaláricos en zonas endémicas de malaria de acuerdo a las normas nacionales. Métodos. Siguiendo los indicadores pre diseñados del manual de gestión farmaceutica de la malaria del management for Sciencies health (MSH). fue evaluada la disponibilidad de los antimaláricos revisando registros 2004-2005 de 21 establecimientos de salud de nivel I y II además de 4 almacenes regionales de los departamentos de Beni, Pando y Tarija y uno del nivel central (La Paz). Para evaluar el uso de los antimaláricos se utilizó la misma herramienta revisando 780 casos de malaria de los registros de tratamiento de pacientes con malaria no complicada atendidos durante el mismo periodo, tambien se observaron 156 atenciones a pacientes con malaria no complicada, habiendose entrevistado a 146 de ellos (93 por ciento) inmediatamente despues de recibir el tratamiento, asi como tambien se realizaron compras de antimaláricos en 28 farmacias privadas de los mismos departamentos. Resultados. El 76 por ciento (5/21) de los establecimientos evaluados no tienen registro de entrada y salida de medicamentos, la disponibilidad de medicamentos antimaláricos para malaria por P. vivax es del 100 por ciento, malaria no complicada por P.falciparum 53 por ciento, malaria y embarazo por P. falciparum 3 por ciento y malaria grave por P. falciparum 0 por ciento en los establecimientos de salud mientras que en los almacenes evaluados es el 90 por ciento, 25 por ciento, 25 por ciento y 38 por ciento respectivamente. los almacenes con mayor tiempo de desabastecimiento (365 días) fueron el de Riberalta y Guayaramerin para el artesunato,clindamicina y biclorhidrato ...

Research question How is it the availability and the use of antimalarial drugs in Bolivia?Objective Evaluate the availability and the use of antimalarial drugs in endemic areas of malaria according to the national norms.METHODS Following the indicator pre-designed in the manual of pharmaceutical management of the malaria of the Management for Sciences Health, the availability of the antimalarial drugs was evaluated revising the registers 2004-2005 of 21 health’s establishments level I and II and 4 regional depots of the Departments of Beni, Pando y Tarija. To...

O papel dos bloqueios anestésicos no tratamento da dor de origem cancerosa / Anesthetic blocks to treat cancer pain

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Tradicionalmente os anestesiologistas desenvolveram as técnicas de anestesia regional que hoje dominam. Para participarem do tratamento dos pacientes com dores crônicas, necessitam transferir os conhecimentos adquiridos, além das indicações cirúrgicas, indicando-os no momento correto, tornando-os úteis e eficazes, num atendimento que deve ser multidisciplinar. O objetivo deste trabalho é mostrar aos anestesiologistas que os bloqueios anestésicos, no tratamento da dor crônica de origem cancerosa, para serem úteis e eficazes, devem ser indicados no momento correto inserindo-os como parte de um tratamento sistêmico, do qual deve-se participar ativamente. CONTEUDO: O uso correto do protocolo da Organização Mundial da Saúde proporciona diretriz para o controle da dor na maioria dos pacientes com moléstia cancerosa avançada. A eficácia desta abordagem é demonstrada nos seus três primeiros passos, com pequeno número de complicações. Contudo, há pacientes que experimentam efeitos colaterais indesejáveis aos medicamentos opióides sistêmicos e a presença de metástases ósseas e as neuropatias podem determinar efeitos deletéricos nesses pacientes. Técnicas invasivas são raramente indicadas, mas podem resultar em analgesia no tratamento das dores resistentes aos opióides quando usados adequadamente. CONCLUSÕES: Bloqueios com agentes neurolíticos que exigiam alto grau de perícia dos anestesiologistas são as últimas opções de tratamento quando as drogas sistêmicas não mantêm o efeito desejado ou produzem efeitos colaterais de difícil tratamento. Bloqueios anestésicos e injeção de drogas opióides por via subaracnóidea, têm lugar de destaque no tratamento da dor de origem cancerosa e devem ser considerados em situações específicas como parte de um tratamento multidisciplinar.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Anesthesiologists have traditionally developed and mastered regional anesthetic techniques over the years. To help treating chronic pain, they need to transfer acquired know-how in addition to surgical indications, recommending procedures at the right time in a multidisciplinary approach. This research aimed at showing anesthesiologists that for anesthetic blocks to be useful and effective in treating chronic cancer pain, they have to be indicated in a timely manner, as part of a systemic approach where they need to play an active role. CONTENTS: WHO guidelines provide adequate pain control to most patients with advanced cancer disease. Its first three steps confirm the efficacy of this approach, with a low incidence of complications. There are however patients who experience undesirable side effects of systemic opioids, and the presence of bone metastases and neuropathies may determine noxious effects on those patients. Invasive techniques are seldom indicated, but they may provide analgesia in the treatment of opioid-resistant pain when adequately indicated. CONCLUSIONS: Neurolytic agent blocks, which require anesthesiologist skills, are the last treatment options when systemic drugs are unable to maintain desired effects or produce untreatable side effects. Anesthetic blocks and spinal opioids play an important role in the treatment of cancer pain and should be considered in specific situations as part of a multidisciplinary approach.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Tradicionalmente los anestesiologistas desarrollaron las técnicas regionales de anestesia que hoy dominan. Para participar del tratamiento de los pacientes con dolores crónicos, necesitan transferir los conocimientos adquiridos, además de las indicaciones quirúrgicas, indicándolos en el momento correcto, haciéndolos útiles y eficaces, a un atendimiento que debe ser multidisciplinar. El objetivo de este trabajo es mostrar a los anestesiologistas que los bloqueos anestésicos, en el tratamiento del dolor crónico de origen cancerosa, para que sean útiles y eficaces, deben ser indicados en el momento correcto, introduciéndolos como parte de un tratamiento sistémico, del cual se debe participar activamente. CONTENIDO: El uso correcto del protocolo de la Organización Mundial de la Salud proporciona orientación para el control del dolor en la mayoría de los pacientes con molestia cancerosa avanzada. La eficacia de este abordaje es demostrada en sus tres primeros pasos, con pequeño número de complicaciones. Con todo eso, hay pacientes que experimentan efectos colaterales indeseables a los medicamentos opioides sistémicos y a la presencia de metástases óseas y las neuropatias pueden determinar efectos deletéricos en esos pacientes. Técnicas invasivas son raramente indicadas, más pueden resultar en analgesia en el tratamiento de los dolores resistentes a los opioides, cuando usados adecuadamente. CONCLUSIONES: Bloqueos con agentes neurolíticos que exigían alto grado de pericia de los anestesiologistas son las últimas opciones de tratamiento cuando las drogas sistémicas no mantienen el efecto deseado o producen efectos colaterales de difícil tratamiento. Bloqueos anestésicos e inyección de drogas opioides por vía subaracnóidea tienen lugar de destaque en el tratamiento del dolor de origen canceroso y deben ser considerados en situaciones específicas como parte de un tratamiento multidisciplinar.