Impact of an HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis dashboard on veteran PrEP enrollment.

BACKGROUND: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective at reducing the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition in at-risk individuals; however, it is largely underutilized. The Veterans Health Administration has created an HIV PrEP dashboard to identify at-risk veterans in attempt to increase PrEP enrollment. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether the use of an HIV PrEP dashboard would prove effective at increasing PrEP enrollment at a single facility. METHODS: This was a single-center quality improvement project. Three pharmacists used the HIV PrEP dashboard and retrospective chart review to identify eligible patients for PrEP. A multimodal process of contacting patients was conducted. The primary objective was to evaluate the number of patients who enrolled in PrEP during the study period. Secondary objectives included evaluating the ability of the HIV PrEP dashboard to identify eligible patients, identify effective strategies to target PrEP enrollment, and compare those patients who accepted with those who declined PrEP to evaluate barriers to enrollment. RESULTS: Of the 94 patients reviewed, 26 patients (27.7%) were found eligible for PrEP. Of the eligible patients, 3 patients (11.5%) were enrolled, and 7 patients (26.9%) declined PrEP. The others were lost to follow-up (9 of 26, 34.6%), had no action taken on a chart note to provider (6 of 26, 23.1%), or did not have a primary care provider assigned at the local facility (1 of 26, 3.9%). The 3 patients who were successfully enrolled in PrEP were all contacted and prescribed PrEP through the infectious diseases (ID) clinic. There were no statistically significant differences between the cohorts of patients who accepted and declined PrEP. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an HIV PrEP dashboard aided in identifying eligible patients for PrEP. Enrollment through the ID clinic was the most successful modality. Further research is needed to characterize barriers to PrEP uptake and to develop strategies to increase prescribing from non-ID providers.

Perceived Barriers and Facilitators of Clozapine Use: A National Survey of Veterans Affairs Prescribers.

Although health care providers report that the frequent laboratory monitoring requirement is an unavoidable concern, other barriers, such as logistical concerns and the administrative burden that accompanies clozapine use, can be addressed.

Drug treatment strategies for depression in Parkinson disease.

INTRODUCTION: Depression is a common non-motor symptom in Parkinson disease (PD), occurring in approximately 20% of patients with PD. While depression can occur anytime in the disease process, it predates PD diagnosis in about 30% of patients. Between 20% and 60% of depressed patients with PD are either without recognition or treatment of their depression. AREAS COVERED: The pathophysiology of depression in PD is unclear. There are several structural changes seen in depressed patients with PD that are also seen in patients with depression. In addition, the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine are all depleted in PD. This article covers the pharmacological treatment of depression in PD; this involves standard antidepressant treatment such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. As with depression not associated with PD, most treatment is partially successful. Non-pharmacological approaches are also touched upon. EXPERT OPINION: Most antidepressant therapy shows partial efficacy in patients with PD. However, there is a need for better study design as well as more comparative studies for the treatment of depression in PD. Biomarkers will help identify patients with PD and depression earlier in the future.

Impact of Psychotropic Medication Reviews on Prescribing Patterns.

Clinical pharmacy specialist-led medication reviews may present an effective way to deliver provider education and improve safe prescribing practices.