scholarly journals Assessing automated product selection success rates in transmissions between electronic prescribing and community pharmacy platforms

Author(s):  
Jennifer Panich ◽  
Natalee Larson ◽  
Luanne Sojka ◽  
Zach Wallace ◽  
James Lokken

Abstract Objective Wrong drug product errors occurring in community pharmacies often originate at the transcription stage. Electronic prescribing and automated product selection are strategies to reduce product selection errors. However, it is unclear how often automated product selection succeeds in outpatient pharmacy platforms. Materials and Methods The intake of over 800 e-prescriptions was observed at baseline and after intervention to assess the rate of automated product selection success. A dispensing accuracy audit was performed at baseline and postintervention to determine whether enhanced automated product selection would result in greater accuracy; data for both analyses were compared by 2x2 Chi square tests. In addition, an anonymous survey was sent to a convenience sample of 60 area community pharmacy managers. Results At baseline, 79.8% of 888 e-prescriptions achieved automated product selection. After the intervention period, 84.5% of 903 e-prescriptions achieved automated product selection (P = .008). Analysis of dispensing accuracy audits detected a slight but not statistically significant improvement in accuracy rate (99.3% versus 98.9%, P = .359). Fourteen surveys were returned, revealing that other community pharmacies experience similar automated product selection failure rates. Discussion Our results suggest that manual product selection by pharmacy personnel is required for a higher than anticipated proportion of e-prescriptions received and filled by community pharmacies, which may pose risks to both medication safety and efficiency. Conclusion The question of how to increase automated product selection rates and enhance interoperability between prescriber and community pharmacy platforms warrants further investigation.

Author(s):  
Yaser Mohammed Al-worafi

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the dispensing errors, its types, and causes in community pharmacies in Ibb, Yemen.Methods: A prospective study was conducted among community pharmacies in the Ibb, Yemen, over 4 months’ period. Dispensing errors that were detected during the dispensing process were recorded by the pharmacy dispensers using a data collection form. Detecting and reporting of dispensing errors, types, and causes of dispensing errors were explained to the participated pharmacists before starting the study. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences® (IBM SPSS) version 21 for Windows.Results: A total of 35 (0.80%) dispensing errors were reported in this study. Wrong dosage form was the most common dispensing error type reported in this study followed by wrong quantity, wrong strength, and wrong drug. Factors most commonly reported as contributing to dispensing errors in this study were prescriptions poor handwriting, similar medications packaging, more than one patient at the same time, and similar drug names.Conclusion: This study explored the type and causes of dispensing errors at five community pharmacies in the Ibb city, Yemen. Dispensing errors can be prevented by educational interventions about dispensing error’s and its potential causes. Effective collaboration and communication between community pharmacy dispensers and prescribers are an important key to minimize and prevent dispensing errors.


2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 1039-1046 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Simon Bell ◽  
Minna Väänänen ◽  
Harri Ovaskainen ◽  
Ulla Närhi ◽  
Marja S Airaksinen

OBJECTIVE: To describe the provision of patient care in community pharmacies in Finland. FINDINGS: The network of 799 community pharmacies across Finland dispensed 42.1 million prescriptions in 2005. Medication counseling has been mandated by law since 1983 and only pharmacists are permitted to provide therapeutic advice in pharmacies. Measurable improvements in the rates of pharmacists' medication counseling have been observed since 2000. Long-term national pharmacy practice initiatives commenced with the World Health Organization EuroPharm Forum's Questions to Ask About Your Medicines campaign from 1993 to 1996. This was followed by the larger Customized Information for the Benefit of Community Pharmacy Patients project. Since the late 1990s, Finnish pharmacies have actively participated in ongoing national public health programs, initially in the areas of asthma and diabetes, and more recently in the treatment and prevention of heart disease. Automated dose dispensing and electronic prescribing are in the process of wider uptake and implementation. A nationwide multidisciplinary project to improve the use of drugs in older people has recently been announced and research in this area is underway. DISCUSSION: Research has focused on improving the quality of patient care as a strategic priority in community pharmacies. The development of community pharmacy services in Finland has been characterized by strong collaboration among the professional associations, university departments of social pharmacy, continuing education centers, and practicing pharmacists. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of new patient care services has required long-term, systematic, and well coordinated actions at the local and national levels. Future services will seek to promote the quality use of medications and to ensure that rising costs do not limit uniform access to drugs by all Finnish residents.


2017 ◽  
pp. 75-80
Author(s):  
Quoc Duong Doan ◽  
Thi Ha Vo

Background: Community pharmacists play an important role in counseling of rational drug use for population. The study aimed to characterize counselling activities of drug use and demand of counselling tools at some community pharmacies at Hue City. Materials and method: A 17-question survey were asked to fill pharmacy staffs of a convenient sample of 100 community pharmacies at Hue City from 2/2017 to 7/2017. Results: There were 58 pharmacies (58.0%) answered this survey. Cough, headache, fever, high blood pressure and diabetes were the most popular symptoms/diseases presented in pharmacies. Patients often need counselling about dose (82.8%) and when to take medicine (79.3%). The main bariers for counselling were a lack of time (53.4%), and of skills/medthods for counseling (31.7%). About 96.6% pharmacies demanded counselling tools and favorite formats were book (32.9%) or pocket handbook (29.3%). Conclusion: Most pharmacies demanded counselling tools. Other studies should be conducted to develop supporting tools for counseling and to assess the quality of counseling in pharmacies. Key words: community pharmacy, counseling of drug use, pharmacist, Hue


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S82-S83
Author(s):  
Laura M King ◽  
Lauri Hicks ◽  
Sarah Kabbani; Sharon Tsay ◽  
Katherine E Fleming-Dutra

Abstract Background The objective of our study was to describe oral antibiotic prescriptions associated with procedures in ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) to evaluate if there are major national opportunities to improve antibiotic use in this setting. Methods We identified surgical procedures in ASCs and oral antibiotic prescriptions in the IBM® MarketScan® Commercial 2018 database, a large convenience sample of privately-insured individuals aged < 65 years. We excluded visits with same-day hospitalizations and those with infectious diagnoses that may warrant antibiotic treatment. We included only antibiotic prescriptions dispensed on the same day as an ASC visit. We calculated the number of visits and oral antibiotic prescriptions and the percent of visits with oral antibiotic prescriptions overall, and by patient age group (< 18 and 18–64 years), antibiotic class, and procedure type. We also calculated median antibiotic course length. Across-group comparisons were evaluated using chi-square tests. Results In 2018, 918,127 ASC visits with surgical procedure codes were captured, of which 37,032 (4.0%) were associated with same-day oral antibiotic prescriptions. The percent of visits with antibiotic prescriptions was significantly higher among children compared to adults (9.4% vs 3.8%; p< 0.01); however, adults accounted for 89% of prescriptions. Respiratory/nasal and urinary tract system procedures were most frequently associated with antibiotic prescriptions (Figure). Median course length was 5 (interquartile range 3–7) days. The most common antibiotic class was cephalosporins (49.6% of prescriptions), followed by penicillins (12.6%) and fluoroquinolones (10.9%). Figure. Percent of ambulatory surgery center visits with same-day antibiotic prescriptions by procedure category, IBM® MarketScan® Commercial Database, 2018 Conclusion Only 4% of ASC procedures were associated with same-day oral antibiotic prescriptions, suggesting antibiotics are not commonly prescribed in ASCs on the day of surgical procedures. Additionally, the observed 5-day median duration may suggest that some of these courses are intended for treatment rather than prophylaxis. Our estimates represent lower bounds for oral antibiotic prescriptions in this setting, as we only captured same-day prescriptions. However, our findings suggest that ASC facilities may not be high-impact targets for national, public health antibiotic stewardship efforts. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i35-i35
Author(s):  
S S Alghamdi ◽  
R Deslandes ◽  
S White ◽  
K Hodson ◽  
A Mackridge ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Since 2019, the role of independent pharmacist prescribers (IPPs) in primary care has extended to community pharmacies in Wales [1]. This was in response to a Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee report in 2019 that outlined a plan to include an IPP in each community pharmacy in Wales by 2030. This aimed to relieve pressure on general practices, enhance patient care and reduce referral and admission rates to secondary care [2]. As funding was provided by the Government, the number of community pharmacists completing the independent prescribing course increased and many have implemented their prescribing role. Aim To explore the views of community IPPs regarding their prescribing role within community pharmacies in Wales. Methods Semi-structured face-to-face and telephone interviews were conducted with community IPPs from all seven health boards (HBs) in Wales. Ethical approval was obtained from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Cardiff University and the School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering at Keele University. Purposive sampling was used to identify potential participants. Gatekeepers (HB community pharmacy leads and directors of IPP courses in Wales) sent invitation emails, participant information sheet and consent form to potential participants. Written consent was obtained. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed ad verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results Thirteen community IPPs across Wales participated. Six themes were identified, including the utilisation of their role as community IPPs, their experiences with their independent prescribing training, motivation to obtain their prescribing qualification and utilise it, the impact, barriers and facilitators to implement and utilise their role. Participants practised as IPPs in the management of minor ailments and some other conditions, such as respiratory and sexual health. The course and training for community IPPs was helpful, but there was a need to focus more on therapeutic and clinical examination skills. The main impact of the role was that it helped to improve communication between community pharmacies and general practices and relieved some pressure on general practices. The main barriers were the lack of appropriate funding by the Government to develop the role, lack of access to patients’ medical records, lack of support and high workload. “One of the areas identified as high risk is for pharmacy prescribers is the lack of access to clinical records. How can you [as community IPPs] make any sensible decisions with half the information?” IPP6 Facilitators included that some services were already in place and the drive from the 2030 vision. Conclusion This is the first study that explored the views of community IPPs regarding their prescribing role in community pharmacies in Wales. It provided an insight into this new role that can be considered by the Welsh Government to achieve the 2030 vision for this role. A limitation to this study was that the role is still new in community pharmacies, which may affect the views of the community IPPs. Many of them have obtained their prescribing qualification but have not started to utilise it yet. Further work is needed to explore a wider population of community IPPs’ experiences as the role develops. References 1. Wickware, C. 2019. All community pharmacies in Wales to have an independent prescriber as part of long-term plan for Welsh pharmacy. Available at: https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/news-and-analysis/news/all-community-pharmacies. 2. Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee. 2019. Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales. Available at: https://www.rpharms.com/Portals/0/RPS%2.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105477382098668
Author(s):  
Kathleen Schell ◽  
Denise Lyons ◽  
Barry Bodt

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of orthostatic hypotension (OH) among a convenience sample of older adults on two Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE) units of the ChristianaCare™ in Delaware. Another aim was to determine if subjects with documented OH experienced falls. Retrospective de-identified data was obtained from electronic medical records for the years 2015 to 2018. Among all patients who had valid first orthostatic vital sign (OVS) readings ( n = 7,745), 39.2% had orthostatic hypotension on the first reading. Among the patients, 42.8% were found to be hypotensive during OVS. Thirty-one (0.9%) of those with OH fell at some point during their stay. The odds ratio for falls in the presence of OH was 1.34 with a 95% confidence interval (0.82, 2.21), but a chi-square test failed to find significance ( p = .2494). The results could not determine if OVS should be mandatory in fall prevention protocols.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia Moussa ◽  
Shalom Benrimoj ◽  
Katarzyna Musial ◽  
Simon Kocbek ◽  
Victoria Garcia-Cardenas

Abstract Background Implementation research has delved into barriers to implementing change and interventions for the implementation of innovation in practice. There remains a gap, however, that fails to connect implementation barriers to the most effective implementation strategies and provide a more tailored approach during implementation. This study aimed to explore barriers for the implementation of professional services in community pharmacies and to predict the effectiveness of facilitation strategies to overcome implementation barriers using machine learning techniques. Methods Six change facilitators facilitated a 2-year change programme aimed at implementing professional services across community pharmacies in Australia. A mixed methods approach was used where barriers were identified by change facilitators during the implementation study. Change facilitators trialled and recorded tailored facilitation strategies delivered to overcome identified barriers. Barriers were coded according to implementation factors derived from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and the Theoretical Domains Framework. Tailored facilitation strategies were coded into 16 facilitation categories. To predict the effectiveness of these strategies, data mining with random forest was used to provide the highest level of accuracy. A predictive resolution percentage was established for each implementation strategy in relation to the barriers that were resolved by that particular strategy. Results During the 2-year programme, 1131 barriers and facilitation strategies were recorded by change facilitators. The most frequently identified barriers were a ‘lack of ability to plan for change’, ‘lack of internal supporters for the change’, ‘lack of knowledge and experience’, ‘lack of monitoring and feedback’, ‘lack of individual alignment with the change’, ‘undefined change objectives’, ‘lack of objective feedback’ and ‘lack of time’. The random forest algorithm used was able to provide 96.9% prediction accuracy. The strategy category with the highest predicted resolution rate across the most number of implementation barriers was ‘to empower stakeholders to develop objectives and solve problems’. Conclusions Results from this study have provided a better understanding of implementation barriers in community pharmacy and how data-driven approaches can be used to predict the effectiveness of facilitation strategies to overcome implementation barriers. Tailored facilitation strategies such as these can increase the rate of real-time implementation of innovations in healthcare, leading to an industry that can confidently and efficiently adapt to continuous change.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 375-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moritz Hertel ◽  
Katja Sommer ◽  
Eckehard Kostka ◽  
Sandra Maria Imiolczyk ◽  
Husam Ballout ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical outcomes of two different standardized endodontic irrigation protocols. It was assumed that the additional use of ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) and passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) would result in an increased rate of absence of symptoms and remission based on the periapical index (PAI) compared to passive irrigation using only sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). Data and radiographs from 199 teeth retrieved from the institutional endodontic database were analyzed retrospectively. In 106 teeth irrigation was performed using only NaOCl (protocol 1). Ninety-three teeth were irrigated using NaOCl and EDTA (protocol 2). Chlorhexidine (CHX) was additionally used in revision treatments in both groups. All irrigants in group 2 were activated by PUI. Mean follow-up periods were: protocol 1 = 9.2 ± 4.4 and protocol 2 = 6.6 ± 2.5 months (p < 0.0001 (chi-square test). The frequencies of the PAImasterpoint and PAIfollow-up scores did not differ significantly between teeth, which received either protocol 1 or 2 (p = 0.555 and 0.138). Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between treatment success (absence of clinical symptoms and PAIfollow-up = I or PAImasterpoint > PAIfollow-up > I) and the applied protocol (success rates: protocol 1 = 72.6% vs. protocol 2 = 82.8%; p = 0.203). Furthermore, the frequency of extractions did not differ significantly between the two protocols (p = 0.102). No association was found between follow-up time and treatment success (p = 0.888). The hypothesis was not confirmed. Even though the obtained success rate was higher after supplementing the irrigation protocol with EDTA and PUI, no significance was recorded. Hence, protocol 2 was not superior to protocol 1 regarding therapy success, at least within the limited follow-up period. It may be cautiously concluded that sufficient mechanical debridement combined with passive NaOCl irrigation results in comparably high success rates compared to EDTA and PUI.


Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Sara S. McMillan ◽  
Hidy Chan ◽  
Laetitia H. Hattingh

Community pharmacies are well positioned to participate in harm-minimisation services to reduce harms caused by both licit and illicit substances. Considering developments in pharmacist practices and the introduction of new professional pharmacy services, we identified a need to explore the contemporary role of community pharmacy in harm minimisation. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken to explore the opinions of stakeholders, pharmacy staff, and clients about the role of community pharmacy in harm minimisation, including provision of current services, experiences, and expectations. Participants (n = 28) included 5 stakeholders, 9 consumers, and 14 staff members from seven community pharmacies. Three over-arching themes were identified across the three participants groups: (i) scope and provision, (ii) complexity, and (iii) importance of person-centred advice and support in relation to community pharmacy harm minimisation services. Community pharmacies are valuable healthcare destinations for delivery of harm minimisation services, with scope for service expansion. Further education, support, and remuneration are needed, as well as linkage to other sector providers, in order to ensure that pharmacists and pharmacy staff are well equipped to provide a range of harm minimisation services.


PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3973 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Balayssac ◽  
Bruno Pereira ◽  
Julie Virot ◽  
Céline Lambert ◽  
Aurore Collin ◽  
...  

Background Like other health professionals, community pharmacists are exposed to stress factors (being efficient, avoiding mistakes and bearing emotional load), but they are also under the pressure of entrepreneurial responsibilities. The main objective was to assess the level of work-related stress in French community pharmacies. The other objectives of the study were to assess the associated comorbidities and causes of work-related stress. Methods This observational cross-sectional study was sent to all French community pharmacies by email. The survey was anonymous and designed to collect the following items: socio-demographic factors, professional status, characteristics of community pharmacy, work-related stress (visual analogic scale—VAS), fatigue (VAS), sleep disturbances (questions), anxiety and depression symptoms (hospital anxiety and depression scale), medical consultation for work-related stress, medication use for work related stress, psychoactive drug-use and causes of work-related stress. Participants were included in the survey if they were pharmacists (owner or assistant) or pharmacy technicians working in a community pharmacy at the time of the survey. Exclusion criteria were defined as follows: pharmacy students or other professionals involved in a community pharmacy (e.g. dietician, beautician) and lack of professional status information. There was no age limitation. Results After three months of data collection, 1,339 participants answered the survey and 1,272 participants were included in conformity with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and to avoid missing data on the primary endpoint. Work-related stress was detected in 32.8% (417/1,272) of individuals (scores ≥70/100). Men were significantly more affected than women and there was no difference between professional statuses and no relation with the age of the participants. Work-related stress was significantly associated with anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbances, medical consultations, medication use, alcohol consumption above the WHO recommendations for men and psychoactive drug use. Three causes of stress were clearly identified and related to stress levels, workload, working atmosphere and deterioration of work quality. However, causes of work-related stress were significantly different among professionals, for example: entrepreneurial burden for pharmacists-in-charge and workload for employees (assistant pharmacists and pharmacy technicians). Discussion Work-related stress has a very strong impact in French community pharmacies. This stress was associated with several comorbidities and induces health resource consumption. Several causes of work-related stress have been identified such as workload, working atmosphere and deterioration of work quality; however, these causes could be detected and managed to improve stress levels. We recommend developing individual and organizational stress management in French community pharmacies.


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