Effects of clinical interventions through a comprehensive medication management program: A retrospective study among outpatients in a private hospital

Introduction

The intricate nature of certain diseases necessitates complex medication regimens, utilization including high-cost medications, and continual vigilance to avoid potential complications. To address these exigencies, numerous healthcare institutions have instituted multidisciplinary management teams, exemplified in pharmaceutical care through Comprehensive Medication Management (CMM) programs. These programs oversee diverse facets such as patient education, medication adherence promotion, clinical monitoring, dose adjustments, and scrutiny of prescribed drug therapies. Given the emphasized significance, it is relevant to possess evidence to continue endorsing these initiatives from management positions within health centers, and it is for this reason that this study aims to evaluate the clinical and economic benefits provided by a CMM program within a private hospital in Latin America, by analyzing the effects of clinical interventions.

Methods

A retrospective examination was conducted involving documented pharmaceutical interventions in an outpatient setting from January 2019 to September 2022. To assess the interventions' repercussions, a retrospective analysis was undertaken. The collated data included patients' basic characteristics, a comprehensive pharmacist-generated description of interventions, potential associated complications, and avoided medical services. Multiple clinical projections, which were endorsed by internal medicine physicians, were developed to explore potential scenarios in the absence of pharmaceutical care. These projections were associated with conceivable complications, aligned with the most plausible circumstances. Subsequently, utilizing the average cost of healthcare within a private hospital in Latin America, the cumulative savings were quantified. These savings were then attributed to the intrinsic advantages offered by pharmaceutical care.

Results

The study discloses demographic trends among patients within distinct age groups in the CMM program. Rheumatology predominated as the main referral source, and interventions centering on monitoring emerged as the pivotal drug-related concern. This encompassed a collaborative approach, involving interdisciplinary efforts toward patient education and critical parameter monitoring. Of the total 347 pharmaceutical interventions, 66.3% (N = 230) specialty office visits, 14.1% (N = 49) general practitioner consultations, 12.4% (N = 43) hospitalizations, and 7.2% (N = 25) ER visits were avoided. The economic analysis underscores cost savings ensuing from pharmaceutical interventions, amounting to a cumulative 603,792.82 USD. Extrapolating these findings to a patient cohort of 400 enrolled in the pharmaceutical care program approximates per-patient savings of 361.47 USD.

Conclusion

This study reveals the significant clinical and economic benefits of CMM programs, led by multidisciplinary pharmaceutical professionals. The findings provide compelling evidence for hospital management to consider promoting such programs, drawing from the patient-centered care model in the United States applicable to Latin America.

Optimizing Heart Failure Management: A Review of the Clinical Pharmacist Integration to the Multidisciplinary Health Care Team

Heart failure (HF) stands as a prevalent chronic ailment, imposing a substantial burden on global healthcare systems due to recurrent hospitalizations, intricate management, persistent symptoms, and polypharmacy challenges. The augmentation of patient safety and treatment efficacy across various care stages, facilitated by a multidisciplinary HF team inclusive of a clinical pharmacist, emerges as paramount. Evidence underscores that the collaborative engagement of a physician and a clinical pharmacist engenders proficient and secure management, forestalling avoidable adversities stemming from drug reactions and prescription inaccuracies. This synergistic approach tailors treatments optimally to individual patients. Post-discharge, the vulnerability of HF patients to re-hospitalization looms large, historically holding sway as the foremost cause of 30-day readmissions. Diverse strategies have been instituted to fortify patient well-being, leading to the formulation of specialized transitional care programs that shepherd patients effectively from hospital to outpatient settings. These initiatives have demonstrably curtailed readmission rates. This review outlines a spectrum of roles assumed by clinical pharmacists within the healthcare cohort, spanning inpatient care, transitional phases, and outpatient services. Moreover, it traverses a compendium of studies spotlighting the affirmative impact instigated by integrating clinical pharmacists into these fields.

Impact of the Five-Year Intervention of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on the Optimal Selection of Surgical Prophylaxis in a Hospital without Antibiotic Prescription Restrictions in Costa Rica: A Retrospective Study

This study aims to characterize the impact of the implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship program (AMS) on the optimal selection of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in adult patients. This is a retrospective quasi-experimental study that compared the selection and duration of antibiotics for all surgical prophylaxis prescriptions over six months, both before (pre-AMS) and after a five-year intervention of AMS (post-AMS). In addition, data related to the consumption of antibiotics, adverse drug reactions, and surgical site infections throughout the years of the intervention were analyzed. The rate of appropriate selection of antibiotic prophylaxis in surgical procedures improved to 80% during the post-AMS period. The percentage of optimal duration increased from 69.1% (N = 1598) in the pre-AMS period to 78.0% (N = 841) in the post-AMS period (p < 0.001). The consumption of ceftriaxone significantly decreased, while the use of cefazolin increased more than nine times. No severe adverse reactions or increases in surgical site infections were detected after the intervention. The implementation of an AMS in the surgical ward demonstrated a trend towards a positive overall impact on the selection and duration of prophylactic antibiotics for surgery, with positive results also observed in other variables associated with the prescription of these antibiotics.

Antibiotic Consumption in Primary Care in Costa Rica and Italy: A Retrospective Cross-Country Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

 The increasing emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens resulting from inappropriate antibiotic usage have become more evident in recent years, particularly with the rising incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Since joining the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Costa Rica can now compare its healthcare system with other countries, and similarities have been noted with Italy regarding health indicators. Both nations have universal healthcare systems, covering their entire populations, and hold similar positions in the Human Development Index (HDI). Consequently, the goal is to compare antibiotic prescribing and consumption patterns to collaboratively develop strategies against bacterial resistance.

METHODS

 In order to compare antibiotic consumption between regions, a standardized contrast was utilized, specifically using the defined daily dose (DDD). An Orthogonal Contrast test was performed to test the means, followed by the application of the Student's t-test on these contrasts. This analysis aimed to assess the potential influence of regions on DDD values. Antibiotic consumption data were collected between January 2021 and December 2022 from the Local Health Authority of Naples 3 South (LHANS) in Italy and IMS Health, Q Quintiles, and VIA by way of (IQVIA) reports in Costa Rica.

RESULTS

 LHANS shows a considerable disparity in gross expenditure compared to Italy's overall expenditure, while the private sector of Costa Rica exhibits even lower gross expenditure than Italy. Antibiotic consumption in Italy exceeds that of Costa Rica, with Costa Rica's consumption amounting to 47.70% of Italy's total consumption. Additionally, LHANS exhibited a 22.43% higher gross expenditure compared to the Campania region, emphasizing the variability in antibiotic usage within the same country The results indicated no statistically significant differences in antibiotic consumption between the regions, as none of the null hypotheses were rejected.

CONCLUSIONS

The study provides valuable insights into expenditure patterns and antibiotic consumption, highlighting the need for improved prescribing practices and awareness campaigns to address the issue of antibiotic resistance. The findings emphasize the importance of implementing international guidelines to combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance and ensure the effective management of infectious diseases.

Uncommon Progressive Systemic Tetanus: A Case Report

Tetanus is a bacterial infection caused by the toxin of Clostridium tetani. While it primarily affects newborns, people with incomplete vaccination schedules, it can also impact people of any age, especially in developing countries. Even though in the last 20 years several initiatives have been implemented worldwide to reduce the impact of this disease, regions like South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa have registered mortality rates highest since 2015-2019. In Latin America, regional immunization coverage rates were reported at 89% in 2017 for diphtheria-tetanus toxoid and pertussis (DTP-3), although Costa Rica has reported decreased coverage rates of the national immunization schedule from 2019 to 2021. In this case study, we present a 53-year-old woman from Puntarenas, Costa Rica diagnosed with progressive systemic tetanus who developed status epilepticus. She previously was assessed in a central hospital of Costa Rica for paresthesia in her right upper limb of three months of duration, myoclonus and difficulty walking in the last weeks; the presumed diagnosis was Guillain-Barré syndrome. During her hospitalization she had three generalized tonic-clonic seizures treated with diazepam and phenytoin. Since there was no improvement, she was transferred to our medium-sized private hospital for the treatment of painful spasms and weakness in the lower limbs. On initial evaluation, no injury was found. She was initially treated with midazolam and magnesium sulfate for presenting seizures-like spasms in the lower limbs and then generalized without loss of consciousness for up to 15 minutes, mainly associated with desaturation, tachycardia and tachypnea. In the differential diagnosis, muscle contractions linked to hypocalcemia, neurosyphilis and epilepsy were ruled out. Despite this, magnetic resonance imaging showed fractures in T11, L1 and L2. Mainly due to the presence of spasms, opisthotonos and history of seizures and a wound on the hand four months ago, she was diagnosed with tetanus.  Among the initial management, tetanus toxoid (Td), antimicrobial therapy, and human antitetanic immunoglobulin (HTIG) were administered, which partially improved the patient's condition, although she remained dependent on the infusions. On the sixth week of hospitalization, the patient developed status epilepticus which is explained by the magnetic resonance findings that show subacute bi-occipital infarcts caused by hypoxia from the previous crises. Lacosamide therapy reversed the condition and kept the patient free of seizures.  It was necessary to carry out a lumbar osteosynthesis which was highly favorable to stabilize the patient's condition. The frequency and intensity of the spasms were gradually reduced, which allowed the gradual suspension of the infusions and the benzodiazepine overlap intravenous (IV) to oral (PO). The patient now has only self-limiting spasms and her maintenance therapy consists of lacosamide and oral clonazepam.  This case highlights the importance of considering tetanus in the differential diagnosis even if the vaccination schedule is complete, especially if there are spasms, convulsions, or a history of wounds or bites. It is important to monitor this type of report to reconsider and update the key elements in the prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment of tetanus; as well as improve access to essential medicines, including the HTIG, and the patient's prognosis in terms of symptom resolution and associated sequelae.

904. Impact of a Pharmacist-driven Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on Prescribing Practices by Intensive Care Physicians in a Latin American Hospital

Background

In a recent report from Latin American hospitals, only 59.7% of the prescriptions of patients admitted to the ICU followed treatment guidelines. Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (AMS) have proven to be an effective tool for the rational use of antimicrobials, but their implementation has been a challenge in this region due to resources limitations. One significant barrier is the lack of clinical pharmacists with specialized training in infectious diseases. This study aims to determine the impact of a pharmacy driven AMS on the optimal prophylactic and empirical therapy prescription by intensive care physicians (ICP) in a Latin American hospital.

Methods

A retrospective observational study that compared the optimal selection and the consumption (DOTs/1000 ICP patient days) of antibiotics in patients treated by intensive care physicians before and after the implementation of the AMS at Clínica Biblica Hospital, Costa Rica. The comparison was made from January to December 2014 (preAMS) and from January 2020 to March 2021 (postAMS). Bacterial resistance patterns before and after AMS implementation were also compared.

Results

A total of 333 patients met the inclusion criteria (52% preAMS and 48% postAMS). After a five-year intervention, the optimal antibiotic selection prescribed by ICP was 43.1% (n=75) in the preAMS period and 86.8% (n=138) in the postAMS period (43.7% absolute improvement, p < 0.001). The prescription of most antibiotics showed an improvement (Fig 1), such as ertapenem in 45% (p< 0.001) and levofloxacin in 59% (p< 0.001). Similarly, there was a trend towards improvement of the prescription by diagnosis (Fig 2), including an increase of 32% (p< 0.001) in CAP. There was a reduction of the consumption of most antimicrobials (Fig 3) including a decrease of 66.9% (p =0.017) for vancomycin and 64.7% (p =0.033) for meropenem. Regarding bacterial resistance, there was found a decrease of 11% (p=0.048) of P. aeruginosa resistant to meropenem and a reduction in the detection of ESBL in E. coli (11% decrease; p=0.007).

Conclusion

The AMS implementation showed an overall positive impact on antibiotics selection and consumption. In addition, is thought that the intervention could had a positive effect on antibiotic resistance.

Disclosures

José Pablo Díaz-Madriz, PharmD, MSc, Eli Lilly: Stocks/Bonds|Pfizer: Advisor/Consultant.

955. Improving Pharmacist Access to Training in Antimicrobial Stewardship in Latin American Countries: Partnership between the Pharmaceutical Forum of the Americas (PFA) and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP)

Background

Antimicrobial stewardship programs (AMS) in Latin America have varying degrees of development. One significant barrier is the lack of clinical pharmacists with specialized training in infectious diseases, as there are no residency programs or certifications available to train pharmacists in AMS in Latin America. To overcome this limitation and based on the roadmap for antimicrobial resistance action from the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), the PFA established a partnership with SIDP to support specialized training and mentoring in AMS for pharmacists working in Latin America. Herein, we describe characteristics of this innovative program and its initial participants.

Methods

Pharmacist members of associations belonging to the PFA (9 Latin American countries) were invited to apply for the SIDP AMS Certificate Program (SIDP-CP) with additional mentoring. Selection was based on current employment status, support from hospital leadership, and an intermediate level of English. A 14-item survey was disseminated to the participants of this program and responses were collected in March 2022, at the beginning of their SIDP-CP. The survey collected information on demographics, characteristics of the AMS at their hospital, experience with AMS to-date, and support requirements to finish the SIDP-CP.

Results

The description of the SIDP-CP can be found in Figure 1. Surveys were completed by 11/12 (91.7%) program participants: 6 (54.5%) from Costa Rica, 4 (36.4%) from Colombia, and 1 (9.1%) from Argentina. Seven (63.6%) pharmacists work in hospitals with a formally approved AMS, with 6 providing basic and 1 reporting intermediate AMS services. None of the pharmacists have positions dedicated exclusively to AMS, and the majority of those surveyed work ≤ 25% of their time on AMS-related activities. In addition to completing the SIDP-CP, participants indicated high interest in attending periodic virtual meetings to increase their knowledge of how to implement, strengthen, or begin research in AMS.

Conclusion

Incorporating antimicrobial stewardship in all healthcare institutions worldwide is vital in the fight to slow antimicrobial resistance. Partnerships like this one between PFA and SIDP can inform future planning for expansion of AMS training.

Disclosures

José Pablo Díaz-Madriz, PharmD, MSc, Eli Lilly: Stocks/Bonds|Pfizer: Advisor/Consultant Melissa D. Johnson, PharmD, MHS, AAHIVP, Charles River Laboratories: Grant/Research Support|Entasis: Honoraria|Merck: Grant/Research Support|Pfizer: Honoraria|Scynexis: Grant/Research Support|Theratechnologies: Honoraria|UpToDate: Honoraria Scott J. Bergman, PharmD, BCIDP, FCCP, FIDSA, Merck & Co., Inc: Advisor/Consultant|Merck & Co., Inc: Grant/Research Support|Merck & Co., Inc: Honoraria|Pfizer: Advisor/Consultant|Pfizer: Honoraria.

The risk of treatment-induced QT interval prolongation

OBJECTIVE

QT interval prolongation can increase patients' hospital stay and  mortality rate. This study aims to determine the incidence of drug-induced QT  interval prolongation and establish which QT interval measurement method is  the most appropriate for electrocardiographic monitoring.

METHOD

A retrospective observational study was conducted of patients admitted to the Clínica Bíblica Hospital during 2018. The electronic  medical records of patients hospitalized for longer than 48 hours and whose drug regimen included at least one drug potentially able to prolong the  QT interval were reviewed. Manually-measured QT intervals were corrected using Fridericia's and Rautaharju's formulae, while automatically- measured QT intervals were corrected with Bazett's formula. Risk was assessed  using the RISQ-PATH scale.

RESULTS

Of the 141 patients analyzed, 23 had arrhythmia as per their clinical  history and 14 suffered a complication during their stay in hospital. A total of  113 (80%) had a high RISQ-PATH score and only 64 were subjected to an  electrocardiogram on admission. Patients received a mean of three potentially  QT interval prolonging drugs. Most of the QT intervals measured automatically  were shorter than those obtained manually. Of all corrections, the longest QTc  interval values were obtained with Bazett's formula, and the shortest with  Rautaharju's formula. None of the patients developed TdP or complex  ventricular tachycardia.

CONCLUSIONS

Every effort should be made to implement strategies conducive to more effective monitoring of the QT interval to prevent QT  nterval prolongation related complications in hospitalized patients.

Impact of a pharmacist-driven antimicrobial stewardship program in a private hospital in Costa Rica

Objective.

To measure the impact generated by the implementation of the pharmacy-driven antimicrobial stewardship program of the Clínica Bíblica Hospital.

Methods.

This is a retrospective observational study that evaluates the consumption of antibiotics for the periods before and during implementation of the Clínica Bíblica Hospital antimicrobial stewardship program, calculated by means of defined daily dose per 1 000 patient-days and days of therapy per 1 000 patient-days. In addition, bacterial resistance patterns for the periods 2014–2015 and 2016–2017 were compared.

Results.

Consumption of most-used antibiotics was calculated, looking for trends that might be associated with the activities implemented by the Clínica Bíblica Hospital antimicrobial stewardship program. Comparing some of the antibiotics with the highest consumption in periods I and II, use of levofloxacin and ceftriaxone showed a decrease of 54.0% (p < 0.001) and 14.6% (p = 0.003), respectively, whereas there was an increase in the use of cefazolin of 4 539.3% (p < 0.001). Regarding percentage of bacterial resistance, in most bacterial isolates no statistically significant changes were observed between the two periods.

Conclusions.

A reduction in the overall consumption of antibiotics has been achieved over time, most likely attributable to the antimicrobial stewardship program. However, this trend was not observed for all the antibiotics studied. The pattern of resistance among the commonly isolated microorganisms did not vary greatly between the periods studied, which suggests that either the antimicrobial stewardship program may have prevented an increase in bacterial resistance since its implementation, or that it is too soon to see impact on bacterial resistance.