1
|
Wooten A, Wright J, Thakrar T, Barron A, Grove M, Duggal R, Lee BJ, Doh J, Di Tomasso PM, Joe MD, Griffin SP. Clinical Oncology Pharmacy Technician: Impact of a New Role on Pharmacy and Patient Metrics at a Large Academic Cancer Center. JCO Oncol Pract 2024:OP2300582. [PMID: 38941576 DOI: 10.1200/op.23.00582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe the impact of an inpatient clinical oncology pharmacy technician program. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted to observe outcomes in patients discharged from the hematology/oncology or bone marrow transplant (BMT) units at Indiana University Health in the year before (April 1, 2016-March 31, 2017) compared with the year after (April 1, 2018-March 31, 2019) the implementation of expanded technician services. The technician performed admission medication histories and ensured access to discharge medications. RESULTS There were 1,169 and 1,112 encounters included in the pre- and post-technician cohorts. The median age was lower (54 v 61 years; P < .001), and there was a higher percentage of male patients (62% v 52.3%; P < .001) in the pre- compared with post-technician cohort. There were a higher percentage of oncology (36.4% v 31%; P = .007) and no difference in hematology (37.4% v 40.2%; P = .17) nor BMT encounters (26.3% v 28.8%; P = .18) in the pre- compared with post-technician cohort. The discharge prescription capture rate increased (42.7% v 78.5%; P < .001) from the pre- to post-technician cohort, resulting in a 34.2% increase ($314,639.46 in US dollars [USD]-$422,129.20 USD) in retail pharmacy revenue. More admission medication histories were completed by pharmacy staff (64.4% v 91.9%; P < .001), and there was an increase in the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems-derived patient satisfaction results for both hematology/oncology (79% v 88%; P < .001) and BMT units (77% v 84%; P = .02) in the pre- compared with post-technician cohort. There was no difference in rates of unplanned readmissions (16.4% v 18.2%; P = .69) in the pre- compared with post-technician cohort. CONCLUSION The overall capture rate of discharge prescriptions, revenue for the retail pharmacy, and patient satisfaction scores significantly increased after the implementation of expanded, inpatient clinical pharmacy technician services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Austin Wooten
- Purdue University College of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, IN
- Indiana University Health University Hospital, Indianapolis, IN
| | - John Wright
- Purdue University College of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, IN
- Indiana University Health University Hospital, Indianapolis, IN
| | | | - Adri Barron
- Indiana University Health University Hospital, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Meagan Grove
- Indiana University Health University Hospital, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Raj Duggal
- Indiana University Health University Hospital, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Benjamin J Lee
- University of California, Irvine Health, Orange, CA
- University of California, Irvine School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irvine, CA
| | - Jean Doh
- University of California, Irvine Health, Orange, CA
| | | | - Melanie D Joe
- University of California, Irvine Health, Orange, CA
- University of California, Irvine School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irvine, CA
| | - Shawn P Griffin
- University of California, Irvine Health, Orange, CA
- University of California, Irvine School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irvine, CA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hovey SW, Cho HJ, Kain C, Sauer HE, Smith CJ, Thomas CA. Pharmacist-Led Discharge Transitions of Care Interventions for Pediatric Patients: A Narrative Review. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther 2023; 28:180-191. [PMID: 37303760 PMCID: PMC10249976 DOI: 10.5863/1551-6776-28.3.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Transitions of care (TOC) before, during, and after hospital discharge are an opportune setting to optimize medication management. The quality standards for pediatric care transitions, however, are lacking, leading to reduced health outcomes in children. This narrative review characterizes the pediatric populations that would benefit from focused, TOC interventions. Different types of medication-focused TOC interventions during hospital discharge are described, including medication reconciliation, education, access, and adherence tools. Various TOC intervention delivery models following hospital discharge are also reviewed. The goal of this narrative review is to help pediatric pharmacists and pharmacy leaders better understand TOC interventions and integrate them into the hospital discharge process for children and their caregivers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara W. Hovey
- Department of Pharmacy Practice (SWH), University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Pharmacy, Chicago, IL
| | - Hae Jin Cho
- Department of Pharmacotherapy (HJC), College of Pharmacy, The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX
| | - Courtney Kain
- Department of Pharmacy (CK), Nemours Children's Hospital, Wilmington, DE
| | - Hannah E. Sauer
- Department of Pharmacy (HES), Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
| | - Christina J. Smith
- Department of Pharmacy (CJS), Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sourisseau A, Fronteau C, Bonsergent M, Peyrilles E, Huon JF. Practicing and evaluating clinical pharmacy in oncology: Where are we now? A scoping review. Res Social Adm Pharm 2023; 19:699-706. [PMID: 36682897 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical pharmacy is a discipline structured around multiple activities whose objective is to secure patient care. Among all the specialties where it can be applied, oncology is a field of choice. More and more studies are being conducted on the impact of this activity, but their methodology and results seem at first sight very heterogeneous. OBJECTIVE(S) The objective of this literature review was to describe the clinical oncology pharmacy activities found in the literature, and analyze the methodology used and the outcomes measured by the authors for their evaluation. METHODS This literature review was based on the PRISMA-ScR criteria. The Embase, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and PsycINFO databases were searched. All studies reporting the evaluation of hospital-based clinical pharmacy activity in cancer patients were included based on a previously validated search equation. The search was conducted until the end of 2020. The quality of all studies was assessed using the MMAT. RESULTS Of the 2521 results of the initial query, 93 were selected for complete review. The main interventions implemented were pharmaceutical analysis as well as pharmaceutical interviews. The indicators assessed most often were the number of pharmaceutical interventions as well as treatment-related problems. The overall quality assessment score was 55%. CONCLUSION Clinical pharmacy activity in oncology still lacks robust studies, whether methodologically or of the measured indicator. Patient-centered impact indicators are still too rare. This area of research should focus on the homogenization of indicators and their relevance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jean-François Huon
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Pharmacy, F-44000, France; INSERM UMR 1246 SPHERE: Methods in Patient-centered Outcomes and Health Research, Nantes, France.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Harris M, Moore V, Barnes M, Persha H, Reed J, Zillich A. Effect of pharmacy-led interventions during care transitions on patient hospital readmission: A systematic review. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2022; 62:1477-1498.e8. [PMID: 35718715 DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2022.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) established the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) to reduce reimbursement payments to hospitals with excessive patient readmissions. Because of this program, hospitals have developed transitions of care (TOC) programs to improve patient outcomes. OBJECTIVES To identify and uniformly summarize the impact of pharmacy-led TOC interventions on 30-day readmission rates since the implementation of CMS HRRP. METHODS This study followed an a-priori protocol that was registered to International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and CINAHL from January 1, 2013 through January 14, 2022. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: pharmacy-led intervention, 30-day readmission outcomes, patients at least 18 years old, original research performed in the United States, and English language only articles. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize study characteristics, outcomes, and elements of the study interventions. RESULTS A total of 1964 abstracts were screened with 123 studies being included in the review. A total of 110 (89.4%) studies showed a decrease in readmission rates. The largest decrease in readmission rates was 44.5% (range 0.2%-44.5%, median = 7.4%) and the most common pharmacy-led intervention was patient counseling (n = 119, 96.7%) followed by medication reconciliation (n = 111, 90.2%). High-risk patient populations were commonly targeted with 52 studies (42.3%) focusing on CMS HRRP related diagnoses. CONCLUSION Most pharmacist-led TOC interventions contributed to lower rates of 30-day readmission. Future studies should investigate the types of interventions that most significantly impact readmission rates.
Collapse
|
5
|
Elbeddini A, To A, Tayefehchamani Y, Wen CX. Importance of medication reconciliation in cancer patients. J Pharm Policy Pract 2021; 14:98. [PMID: 34844645 PMCID: PMC8628436 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-021-00379-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer patients are a complex and vulnerable population whose medication history is often extensive. Medication reconciliations in this population are especially essential, since medication discrepancies can lead to dire outcomes. This commentary aims to describe the significance of conducting medication reconciliations in this often-forgotten patient population. We discuss additional clinical interventions that can arise during this process as well. Medication reconciliations provide the opportunity to identify and prevent drug-drug and herb-drug interactions. They also provide an opportunity to appropriately adjust chemotherapy dosing according to renal and hepatic function. Finally, reconciling medications can also provide an opportunity to identify and deprescribe inappropriate medications. While clinical impact appears evident in this landscape, evidence of economic impact is lacking. As more cancer patients are prescribed a combination of oral chemotherapies, intravenous chemotherapies and non-anticancer medications, future studies should evaluate the advantages of conducting medication reconciliations in these patient populations across multiple care settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Elbeddini
- Chairman of the Pharmacy Department, Winchester District Memorial Hospital, 566 Louise Street, Winchester, ON KK0C2K0 Canada
| | - Anthony To
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 college st, Toronto, M5S 3M2 Canada
| | - Yasamin Tayefehchamani
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 college st, Toronto, M5S 3M2 Canada
| | - Cindy Xin Wen
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 college st, Toronto, M5S 3M2 Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
King PK, Burkhardt C, Rafferty A, Wooster J, Walkerly A, Thurber K, Took R, Masterson J, St. Peter WL, Furuno JP, Williams E, Ferren J, Rascon K. Quality measures of clinical pharmacy services during transitions of care. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CLINICAL PHARMACY 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jac5.1479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Roxane Took
- American College of Clinical Pharmacy Lenexa Kansas USA
| | | | | | - Jon P. Furuno
- American College of Clinical Pharmacy Lenexa Kansas USA
| | - Evan Williams
- American College of Clinical Pharmacy Lenexa Kansas USA
| | - Janie Ferren
- American College of Clinical Pharmacy Lenexa Kansas USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Coutsouvelis J, Siderov J, Tey AY, Bortz HD, O’Connor SR, Rowan GD, Vasileff HM, Page AT, Percival MA. The impact of pharmacist‐led strategies implemented to reduce errors related to cancer therapies: a systematic review. JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE AND RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/jppr.1699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John Coutsouvelis
- Pharmacy Department The Alfred Melbourne Victoria Australia
- Centre for Medication Use and Safety Monash University Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Jim Siderov
- Pharmacy Department Austin Health Heidelberg Victoria Australia
| | - Amanda Y. Tey
- Pharmacy Department Monash Health Clayton Victoria Australia
| | | | - Shaun R. O’Connor
- Haematology Department St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Victoria Australia
- Health & Wellbeing Division Department of Health & Human ServicesMelbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Gail D. Rowan
- Pharmacy Department Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Hayley M. Vasileff
- SA Pharmacy Women’s and Children’s Hospital North Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Amy T. Page
- Pharmacy Department The Alfred Melbourne Victoria Australia
- Centre for Medication Use and Safety Monash University Parkville Victoria Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Herledan C, Baudouin A, Larbre V, Gahbiche A, Dufay E, Alquier I, Ranchon F, Rioufol C. Clinical and economic impact of medication reconciliation in cancer patients: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer 2020; 28:3557-3569. [PMID: 32189099 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-020-05400-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Medication reconciliation can reduce drug-related iatrogenesis by facilitating exhaustive information transmission at care transition points. Given the vulnerability of cancer patients to adverse drug events, medication reconciliation could provide a significant clinical benefit in cancer care. This review aims to synthesize existing evidence on medication reconciliation in cancer patients. METHODS A comprehensive search was performed in the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, associating the keywords "medication reconciliation" and "cancer" or "oncology." RESULTS Fourteen studies met the selection criteria. Various medication reconciliation practices were reported: performed at admission or discharge, for hospitalized or ambulatory patients treated with oral or parenteral anticancer drugs. In one randomized controlled trial, medication reconciliation decreased clinically significant medication errors by 26%. Although most studies were non-comparative, they highlighted that medication reconciliation led to identification of discrepancies and other drug-related problems in up to 88% and 94.7% of patients, respectively. The impact on post-discharge healthcare utilization remains under-evaluated and mostly inconclusive, despite a trend toward reduction. No comparative economic evaluations were available but one study estimated the benefit:cost ratio of medication reconciliation to be 2.31:1, suggesting its benefits largely outweigh its costs. Several studies also underlined the extended pharmacist time required for the intervention, highlighting the need for further cost analysis. CONCLUSION Medication reconciliation can reduce adverse drug events in cancer patients. More robust and economic evaluations are still required to support its development in everyday practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Herledan
- Unité de Pharmacie Clinique Oncologique, Groupement Hospitalier Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet, Pierre-Bénite, France
- EMR3738, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Amandine Baudouin
- Unité de Pharmacie Clinique Oncologique, Groupement Hospitalier Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet, Pierre-Bénite, France
| | - Virginie Larbre
- Unité de Pharmacie Clinique Oncologique, Groupement Hospitalier Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet, Pierre-Bénite, France
- EMR3738, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Anas Gahbiche
- Unité de Pharmacie Clinique Oncologique, Groupement Hospitalier Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet, Pierre-Bénite, France
| | - Edith Dufay
- Service Pharmacie, Centre Hospitalier de Lunéville, 6 Rue Jean Girardet, Lunéville, France
| | - Isabelle Alquier
- Direction de l'Amélioration de la Qualité et de la Sécurité des Soins, Service Evaluation et Outils pour la Qualité et la Sécurité des Soins, Haute Autorité de Santé, 5 avenue du Stade de France, Saint-Denis la Plaine, France
| | - Florence Ranchon
- Unité de Pharmacie Clinique Oncologique, Groupement Hospitalier Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet, Pierre-Bénite, France
- EMR3738, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Catherine Rioufol
- Unité de Pharmacie Clinique Oncologique, Groupement Hospitalier Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet, Pierre-Bénite, France.
- EMR3738, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Traynor K. Practice Advancement Initiative looks to next decade. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2019; 76:1004-1005. [DOI: 10.1093/ajhp/zxz093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
10
|
The Case Against. JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE AND RESEARCH 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jppr.1579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
|