Switching Topical Diclofenac from Higher to Lower Strength: Financial and Clinical Evaluation

Background

In February 2020, the Fraser Health Authority in British Columbia introduced an automatic therapeutic interchange policy, whereby orders for any strength of topical diclofenac would be automatically interchanged to the commercially available diclofenac 2.32% gel for twice-daily administration. The new policy was intended mainly as a cost-saving measure but had the potential for clinical impacts that needed to be considered.

Objectives

To evaluate the financial and clinical impact of the automatic therapeutic interchange policy for topical diclofenac.

Methods

A financial evaluation and a clinical evaluation were conducted. Expenditures for topical diclofenac before and after implementation of the automatic therapeutic interchange policy were compared. To obtain information about the clinical impact of the interchange, a retrospective chart review was conducted at long-term care sites. The primary outcome was a composite of 7 components that could indicate worsening of pain in 3 prespecified scenarios.

Results

The financial evaluation showed that the interchange could potentially save the health authority more than $200 000 over 12 months. The clinical evaluation showed that 25%-48% of patients met the primary outcome of worsening pain (analyzed according to 3 different scenarios) after the switch to lower-strength diclofenac, with increases in use of as-needed topical diclofenac and other analgesics being the main indicators of worsening pain.

Conclusions

An automatic therapeutic interchange policy that switched orders for higher strengths of diclofenac to the 2.32% concentration resulted in large financial savings and, in most cases (52%-75% of patients), did not appear to affect pain control. Prospective studies comparing the clinical impact of higher- and lower-strength topical diclofenac products are warranted.

Hiding in Plain Sight: Quantifying Salbutamol and Ipratropium Inhaler Wastage in Hospitals

Background

Previous studies have found significant inhaler wastage in the inpatient setting, which contributes to unnecessary health care expenditures. Wastage may involve inhalers available in automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs).

Objectives

To evaluate whether salbutamol and ipratropium inhalers were unnecessarily withdrawn from ADCs for hospital inpatients.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included patients from 16 health care facilities in British Columbia. ADC reports were run for the period August 2021 to January 2022 to identify salbutamol and ipratropium inhalers removed from ADCs.

Results

Over the study period, 8.3% (2180/26 324) of salbutamol and ipratropium inhalers were withdrawn from ADCs unnecessarily for the same patient encounter within a 2-day timeframe, and another 1118 (4.2%) represented instances when multiple inhalers were withdrawn for the same patient at the same time. Overall, 12.5% (3298/26 324) of all salbutamol and ipratropium inhalers were withdrawn unnecessarily. The total cost of these inhalers was about $31 600 over the 6-month period.

Conclusions

This evaluation revealed considerable wastage of inhalers, leading to wasted expenditures. Other health authorities should conduct similar analyses to determine whether similar problems exist in their settings.

Hidden Costs of Multiple-Dose Products: Quantifying Ipratropium Inhaler Wastage in the Hospital Setting

Background: Previous studies have quantified wastage involving drugs that are available in multiple-dose formats. Ipratropium bromide by metered dose inhaler (MDI) is commonly used in hospitals, and may be contributing to waste of pharmaceutical and financial resources. Objectives: The primary objective was to quantify the number of patients in the authors’ health authority with waste of at least 1 ipratropium MDI. Secondary outcomes were the total number of wasted inhalers, the total number of wasted doses, the cost of wasted inhalers, the cost of wasted doses, and possible factors or explanations for inhaler wastage. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients with an order for ipratropium by MDI in 2019 at one of the acute care sites within the health authority (predefined sample size 336). The number of inhalers dispensed was compared with doses received to determine the number of inhalers wasted. Each patient’s electronic chart was audited for possible factors and explanations for wasting of inhalers. Results: Of the 336 patients, 79 (24%) had wastage of at least 1 inhaler. In total, 34% (98/290) of all inhalers dispensed and 87% (50 693/58 000) of all doses dispensed were wasted. The total cost of wasted inhalers for the sample population was $2156. The most common reason for inhaler wastage was no doses being administered after an inhaler was dispensed; the second most common reason was dispensing of an extra inhaler associated with a change in directions for use. Conclusions: The use of multiple-dose MDI products in hospitals can lead to wastage of drugs and financial resources. Procedures need to be implemented to aid pharmacy and nursing staff in ensuring the most efficient use of these products. Evaluations of pilot methods to mitigate this waste are encouraged. RÉSUMÉ Contexte : Des études antérieures ont quantifié le gaspillage de médicaments disponibles dans des formats multidoses. Le bromure d’ipratropium administré par inhalateur-doseur (ID) est communément utilisé dans les hôpitaux et pourrait entraîner un gaspillage des ressources pharmaceutiques et financières. Objectifs : L’objectif principal consistait à quantifier le nombre de patients relevant de l’autorité sanitaire des auteurs, qui étaient source d’un gaspillage d’au moins un ID d’ipratropium. Les résultats secondaires visaient à déterminer le nombre total d’inhalateurs et de doses gaspillés, le coût associé au gaspillage des uns et des autres, ainsi que les facteurs pouvant expliquer cette situation. Méthodes : Les dossiers des patients ayant reçu une prescription d’ipratropium administrée par ID en 2019 dans l’un des sites de soins intensifs de l’autorité sanitaire ont fait l’objet d’un examen rétrospectif (taille de l’échantillon prédéfinie : 336). Une comparaison entre le nombre d’inhalateurs distribués et les doses reçues a permis de déterminer le nombre d’inhalateurs gaspillés. La vérification de chaque dossier électronique des patients a révélé les facteurs et les explications possibles du gaspillage des inhalateurs. Résultats : Sur les 336 patients, on a noté un gaspillage d’au moins un inhalateur tous les 79 patients (24 %). Au total, le gaspillage se montait à 34 % (98/290) de tous les inhalateurs distribués et à 87 % (50 693/58 000) de toutes les doses distribuées. Le coût total des inhalateurs distribués à l’échantillon de population se montait à 2156 $. La raison du gaspillage la plus fréquente était l’absence de doses administrées après la distribution d’un inhalateur; la deuxième raison concernait la distribution d’un inhalateur supplémentaire associée à une modification des instructions relatives à son utilisation. Conclusions : L’utilisation de produits ID multidoses dans les hôpitaux peut entraîner un gaspillage de médicaments et de ressources financières. Des procédures doivent être mises en place pour aider les membres du personnel des pharmacies et le personnel infirmier à utiliser plus efficacement ces produits. Il serait indiqué de procéder à des évaluations de méthodes pilotes pour atténuer ce gaspillage.

Hidden Costs of Multiple-Dose Products: Quantifying Ipratropium Inhaler Wastage in the Hospital Setting

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have quantified wastage involving drugs that are available in multiple-dose formats. Ipratropium bromide by metered dose inhaler (MDI) is commonly used in hospitals, and may be contributing to waste of pharmaceutical and financial resources.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective was to quantify the number of patients in the authors' health authority with waste of at least 1 ipratropium MDI. Secondary outcomes were the total number of wasted inhalers, the total number of wasted doses, the cost of wasted inhalers, the cost of wasted doses, and possible factors or explanations for inhaler wastage.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients with an order for ipratropium by MDI in 2019 at one of the acute care sites within the health authority (predefined sample size 336). The number of inhalers dispensed was compared with doses received to determine the number of inhalers wasted. Each patient's electronic chart was audited for possible factors and explanations for wasting of inhalers.

RESULTS

Of the 336 patients, 79 (24%) had wastage of at least 1 inhaler. In total, 34% (98/290) of all inhalers dispensed and 87% (50 693/58 000) of all doses dispensed were wasted. The total cost of wasted inhalers for the sample population was $2156. The most common reason for inhaler wastage was no doses being administered after an inhaler was dispensed; the second most common reason was dispensing of an extra inhaler associated with a change in directions for use.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of multiple-dose MDI products in hospitals can lead to wastage of drugs and financial resources. Procedures need to be implemented to aid pharmacy and nursing staff in ensuring the most efficient use of these products. Evaluations of pilot methods to mitigate this waste are encouraged.

A cautionary tale of multiple-dose drug products: Fluticasone and salmeterol combination inhaler waste

RATIONALE

Some drugs can only be dispensed in multiple-dose containers. Multiple-dose packaging may pose a problem for hospitals in terms of drug wastage and cost. Oral inhalers, such as fluticasone propionate and salmeterol combination inhalers, are only available as multiple-dose formats in Canada.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study are to quantify the amount of fluticasone propionate and salmeterol combination inhaler waste and to assess possible factors that could be contributing to waste.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of 189 patients was conducted. Patients were included if they had received an order for fluticasone propionate and salmeterol combination inhaler at one of the 12 acute hospital sites of Fraser Health Authority. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who were dispensed one or more inhalers unnecessarily. The number of inhalers dispensed was compared with the number of inhalers needed to complete a patient's order duration. The chart was also reviewed for possible factors that could have contributed to extra inhalers being dispensed unnecessarily.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients (19.6%) had at least one inhaler dispensed unnecessarily and thus wasted. About 17.4% of the total amount of inhalers dispensed were dispensed unnecessarily, and 76.3% of doses dispensed were wasted. The cost of inhalers wasted for our sample was $5151.12 (CAD). The most common factors that contributed to inhaler waste appeared to be loss of medication during patient transfers and storage of inhalers as wardstock.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of drugs that are only available in multiple-dose formats results in significant drug wastage and unnecessary health care expenditure. To minimize wastage of drug product, procedures could be implemented to ensure that drugs are properly transferred with the patient when a patient transfers locations in the hospital. As well, a review of wardstock inventory may minimize waste. Further assessment of multiple-dose drug product waste and evaluations of methods to mitigate waste are encouraged.

Acute Kidney Injury With Tobramycin-Impregnated Bone Cement Spacers in Prosthetic Joint Infections

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic-impregnated bone cement spacer (ACS) with tobramycin ± vancomycin is commonly used in a 2-stage replacement of infected prosthetic joints. This procedure has been associated with development of acute kidney injury (AKI).

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence and risk factors for AKI after implantation of tobramycin-impregnated ACS.

METHODS

This prospective, observational study evaluated 50 consecutive patients who received tobramycin ACS for first-stage revision of an infected hip or knee arthroplasty from August 2011 to February 2013. AKI was defined as 50% or greater rise in serum creatinine (SCr) from baseline within the first 7 postoperative days (PODs).

RESULTS

The incidence of AKI was 20%, with median onset occurring at POD 2 (interquartile range [IQR] = 1-3); patients with AKI had a longer median duration of hospital stay (16 days, IQR = 12-17, vs 10 days, IQR = 8-10; P = 0.03). Serum tobramycin concentrations were significantly higher in the AKI group, peaking on POD 1 (median 1.9 vs 0.9 µg/mL, P = 0.01). Risk factors for nephrotoxicity identified by multivariate analysis were use of bone cement premanufactured with gentamicin (OR = 8.2; 95% CI = 1.1-60; P = 0.04), administration of blood transfusions intraoperatively (OR = 32.5; 95% CI = 2.3-454.3; P = 0.01) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs postoperatively (OR = 23.0; 95% CI = 1.3-397.7; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Tobramycin ACS is associated with a high risk of AKI. Measures to minimize AKI risk in the perioperative period include early detection through close monitoring of SCr, avoiding use of premanufactured bone cement containing gentamicin, and avoiding potential nephrotoxins within the first 72 hours postoperatively.