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Tasaka Y, Uchikura T, Hatakeyama S, Kikuchi D, Tsuchiya M, Funakoshi R, Obara T. Evaluation of hospital pharmacists' activities using additional reimbursement for infection prevention as an indicator in small and medium-sized hospitals. J Pharm Health Care Sci 2024; 10:6. [PMID: 38200588 PMCID: PMC10782696 DOI: 10.1186/s40780-023-00327-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospitals in Japan established the healthcare delivery system from FY 2018 to 2021 by acquiring an additional reimbursement for infection prevention (ARIP) of category 1 or 2. However, research on outcomes of ARIP applications related to the practice of hospital pharmacists is scarce. METHODS This study assessed the activities performed by hospital pharmacists in hospitals with 100 to 299 beds, using ARIP acquirement as an indicator, using data from an annual questionnaire survey conducted in 2020 by the Japanese Society of Hospital Pharmacists on the status of hospital pharmacy departments. Out of the survey items, this study used those related to hospital functions, number of beds, number of pharmacists, whether the hospital is included in the diagnosis procedure combination (DPC) system, average length of stay, and nature of work being performed in the analysis. The relationship between the number of beds per pharmacist and state of implementation of pharmacist services or the average length of hospital stay was considered uncorrelated when the absolute value of the correlation coefficient was within 0-0.2, whereas the relationship was considered to have a weak, moderate, or strong correlation when the absolute value ranged at 0.2-0.4, 0.4-0.7, or 0.7-1, respectively. RESULTS Responses were received from 3612 (recovery rate: 43.6%) hospitals. Of these, 210 hospitals meeting the criteria for ARIP 1 with 100-299 beds, and 245 hospitals meeting the criteria for ARIP 2 with 100-299 beds, were included in our analysis. There was a significant difference in the number of pharmacists, with a larger number in ARIP 1 hospitals. For the pharmacist services, significant differences were observed, with a more frequency in ARIP 1 hospitals in pharmaceutical management and guidance to pre-hospitalization patients, sterile drug processing of injection drugs and therapeutic drug monitoring. In DPC hospitals with ARIP 1 (173 hospitals) and 2 (105 hospitals), the average number of beds per pharmacist was 21.7 and 24.7, respectively, while the average length of stay was 14.3 and 15.4 d, respectively. Additionally, a weak negative correlation was observed between the number of pharmacist services with "Fairly well" or "Often" and the number of beds per pharmacist for both ARIP 1 (R = -0.207) and ARIP 2 (R = -0.279) DPC hospitals. Furthermore, a weak correlation (R = 0.322) between the average number of beds per pharmacist and the average length of hospital stay was observed for ARIP 2 hospitals. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that lower beds per pharmacist might lead to improved pharmacist services in 100-299 beds DPC hospitals with ARIP 1 or 2. The promotion of proactive efforts in hospital pharmacist services and fewer beds per pharmacist may relate to shorter hospital stays especially in small and medium-sized hospitals with ARIP 2 when ARIP acquisition was used as an indicator. These findings may help to accelerate the involvement of hospital pharmacists in infection control in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Tasaka
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Shujitsu University, 1-6-1 Nishigawara, Naka-ku, Okayama, Okayama, 703-8516, Japan
- First Subcommittee, Committee on Academic, The Japanese Society of Hospital Pharmacists, 2-12-15, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0002, Japan
| | - Takeshi Uchikura
- First Subcommittee, Committee on Academic, The Japanese Society of Hospital Pharmacists, 2-12-15, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0002, Japan.
- Department of Hospital Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Showa University, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8666, Japan.
| | - Shiro Hatakeyama
- First Subcommittee, Committee on Academic, The Japanese Society of Hospital Pharmacists, 2-12-15, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0002, Japan
- Division of Pharmacy, Yamagata University Hospital, 2-2-2 Iida-nishi, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kikuchi
- First Subcommittee, Committee on Academic, The Japanese Society of Hospital Pharmacists, 2-12-15, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0002, Japan
- Department of Pharmacy, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital, 1-12-1 Fukumuro, Miyagino-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 983-8512, Japan
| | - Masami Tsuchiya
- First Subcommittee, Committee on Academic, The Japanese Society of Hospital Pharmacists, 2-12-15, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0002, Japan
- Department of Pharmacy, Miyagi Cancer Center, 47-1 Nodayama, Medeshimashiote, Natori, Miyagi, 981-1293, Japan
| | - Ryohkan Funakoshi
- First Subcommittee, Committee on Academic, The Japanese Society of Hospital Pharmacists, 2-12-15, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0002, Japan
- Department of Pharmacy, Kameda General Hospital, 929 Higashi-cho, Kamogawa-City, Chiba, 296-8602, Japan
| | - Taku Obara
- First Subcommittee, Committee on Academic, The Japanese Society of Hospital Pharmacists, 2-12-15, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0002, Japan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University Hospital, 1-1, Seriyo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
- Division of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, 2-1, Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8573, Japan
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Dighriri IM, Alnomci BA, Aljahdali MM, Althagafi HS, Almatrafi RM, Altwairqi WG, Almagati AA, Shunaymir AM, Haidarah GA, Alanzi MH, Hadadi AA, Suwaydi HM, Aqdi MJ, Alharthi HN, Alshahrani AF. The Role of Clinical Pharmacists in Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs): A Systematic Review. Cureus 2023; 15:e50151. [PMID: 38186441 PMCID: PMC10771624 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat, increasing deaths and healthcare costs. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) have been implemented to optimize antibiotic use and curb resistance. This systematic review aimed to summarize evidence on the role and impact of pharmacists in hospital ASPs. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across databases to identify relevant studies published from 2016 to 2023. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising global observational and randomized clinical trials. Pharmacists performed various stewardship activities, including prospective audits, formulary management, de-escalation, guideline development, and education. Pharmacist-led interventions significantly improved antibiotic prescribing, reduced unnecessary antibiotic use, optimized therapy, and enhanced outcomes. Multiple studies found that pharmacist reviews decreased the time to optimal antibiotics and improved guideline compliance without affecting readmissions or revisits. De-escalation programs safely reduced antibiotic duration and length of stay. Acceptance rates for recommendations were high. Pharmacist stewardship curbed overall antibiotic use, costs, and duration across hospital departments, leading to savings. While most studies showed positive impacts, fewer detected significant changes in resistance or mortality over short periods. More research is needed, but current evidence demonstrates that pharmacists play critical roles in ASPs, leading to improved antibiotic use and patient outcomes. These findings support integrating pharmacists into stewardship activities, significantly extending programs to ambulatory settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mohmmad H Alanzi
- Department of Emergency Pharmacy, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital, Riyadh, SAU
| | | | | | - Maha J Aqdi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, SAU
| | - Hamed N Alharthi
- Department of Forensic Center, Forensic Medical Services Center, Al Baha, SAU
| | - Amaal F Alshahrani
- Department of Pharmacy, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Abha, SAU
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Jantarathaneewat K, Camins B, Apisarnthanarak A. The role of the clinical pharmacist in antimicrobial stewardship in Asia: A review. ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP & HEALTHCARE EPIDEMIOLOGY : ASHE 2022; 2:e176. [PMID: 36386007 PMCID: PMC9641507 DOI: 10.1017/ash.2022.310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Clinical pharmacist-driven antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) have been successfully implemented. Although relevant guidance and several studies suggest that clinical pharmacists be integrated into the current ASP team model, barriers still exist in Asia, primarily due to lack of dedicated personnel and lack of career advancement. We review the effectiveness and the ideal role of clinical pharmacist among ASPs in Asia. Several studies conducted in Asia have shown the effectiveness of pharmacist-led ASP interventions in hospitals and other healthcare settings. However, opportunities to expand the role of clinical pharmacists in ASPs in Asia exist in the implementation of rapid diagnostic test and drug allergies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kittiya Jantarathaneewat
- Center of Excellence in Pharmacy Practice and Management Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
- Research Group in Infectious Diseases Epidemiology and Prevention, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Bernard Camins
- Division of Infection Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States
| | - Anucha Apisarnthanarak
- Research Group in Infectious Diseases Epidemiology and Prevention, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
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