Pilot Evaluation of Pharmacists’ and Pharmacy Technicians’ Knowledge and Understanding of a Medication Synchronization Program

2021 ◽  
pp. 089719002110483
Author(s):  
Janet N. Pham ◽  
Amy D. Robertson ◽  
Brittany L. Melton ◽  
Brent J. Rohling ◽  
Bradley J. Newell
Keyword(s):  
Final Analysis ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Good Standing ◽  
Video Tutorial ◽  
Pharmacy Technicians ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
Previous Training

Background: Medication synchronization (MS) improves adherence by allowing patients to pick up all medications at the same time. Pharmacy staff need training to utilize a MS program effectively. Objective: Evaluate the impact of a video tutorial with decreased extraneous and intrinsic load on pharmacists’ and pharmacy technicians’ knowledge and understanding of a MS program. Study Method: Participants completed a prequestionnaire to assess knowledge and understanding of the MS process. They then watched a step-by-step video tutorial and were reassessed by a postquestionnaire 2 weeks later. Study participants included pharmacists and pharmacy technicians employed at 1 of 2 pharmacies in 1 regional division of a large community-based chain pharmacy. Participants were eligible if they were registered and in good standing with the Kansas Board of Pharmacy and employed for greater than 30 days since July 1, 2018. Results: Twenty participants were included in the final analysis. The median age was 36 years, 14 (70%) were female, 13 (65%) were pharmacy technicians, and each study site had equal representation. Most participants, 15 (75%), had previously completed the standard MS training. There was a significant improvement in number of correct responses after the intervention with a prequestionnaire score of 61.3% to postquestionnaire score of 70% ( P=.002). Significant improvement in knowledge was seen in participants who completed the previous training as well as first-time learners of the MS process. Conclusion: Optimizing training on MS processes by decreasing extraneous and intrinsic load improved the pharmacy team’s knowledge and understanding of the MS process.

Effectiveness of a decontamination procedure in a pharmacy buffer room contaminated by 5 antineoplastic agents

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (24) ◽  
pp. 2081-2088
Author(s):  
Paul Arpino ◽  
Jason Yeomelakis ◽  
Anisha Oommen
Keyword(s):  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Wipe Sampling ◽  
Sufficient Detail ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Pharmacy Technicians ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hazardous Drugs

Abstract Purpose Healthcare facilities are obligated to implement strategies to protect healthcare workers from exposure to hazardous drugs, including any real or potential risk from contaminated surfaces. Guidelines are broad and lack sufficient detail for healthcare facilities to establish clear effectiveness targets for their decontamination procedures. Our goal in this analysis was to measure the effectiveness of a decontamination procedure in a pharmacy buffer room contaminated with 5 antineoplastic drugs. Methods Six rounds of contamination, decontamination, and wipe sampling were performed in a pharmacy buffer room designated for hazardous drug (HD) compounding. Ten locations in the buffer room were contaminated with 5-fluorouracil, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel, and doxorubicin. Pharmacy staff were blinded to contamination sites. After contamination, 3 pharmacy technicians following the same decontamination procedure decontaminated the buffer room. To assess the impact of decontamination, residual hazardous drug levels were assessed after contamination and after decontamination using a commercially available wipe sampling product. Results The mean (SD) residual contamination levels for the 239 wipe samples taken before and after decontamination were 63 (60) ng and 3.9 (8.2) ng, respectively, representing a 94% reduction in residual HD contamination. Residual contamination was not detectable (<5 ng) in 221 (~93%) of the samples after decontamination. Conclusion The employed decontamination procedures effectively reduced residual HD surface contamination.

scholarly journals Cerebrotypes in Cephalopods: Brain Diversity and Its Correlation With Species Habits, Life History, and Physiological Adaptations

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Ponte ◽  
Morag Taite ◽  
Luciana Borrelli ◽  
Andrea Tarallo ◽  
A. Louise Allcock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Input Tree ◽  
Cephalopod Species ◽  
Physiological Adaptations ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time

Here we analyze existing quantitative data available for cephalopod brains based on classical contributions by J.Z. Young and colleagues, to cite some. We relate the relative brain size of selected regions (area and/or lobe), with behavior, life history, ecology and distribution of several cephalopod species here considered. After hierarchical clustering we identify and describe ten clusters grouping 52 cephalopod species. This allows us to describe cerebrotypes, i.e., differences of brain composition in different species, as a sign of their adaptation to specific niches and/or clades in cephalopod molluscs for the first time. Similarity reflecting niche type has been found in vertebrates, and it is reasonable to assume that it could also occur in Cephalopoda. We also attempted a phylogenetic PCA using data by Lindgren et al. (2012) as input tree. However, due to the limited overlap in species considered, the final analysis was carried out on <30 species, thus reducing the impact of this approach. Nevertheless, our analysis suggests that the phylogenetic signal alone cannot be a justification for the grouping of species, although biased by the limited set of data available to us. Based on these preliminary findings, we can only hypothesize that brains evolved in cephalopods on the basis of different factors including phylogeny, possible development, and the third factor, i.e., life-style adaptations. Our results support the working hypothesis that the taxon evolved different sensorial and computational strategies to cope with the various environments (niches) occupied in the oceans. This study is novel for invertebrates, to the best of our knowledge.

scholarly journals The Scope of the Powers of the Minister of Finance in Terms of Section 48(1)(b) of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964: An Appraisal of Recent Developments in Case Law

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Clive Vinti
Keyword(s):  
Final Analysis ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Veto Power ◽  
High Court ◽  
The Public ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Relationship

This paper evaluates the scope of the powers of the Minister of Finance upon a request from the Minister of Trade and Industry to amend Schedule 1 to the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 (hereafter, CEA) in respect of imported goods as provided by section 48(1)(b) of the CEA. This assessment entails a case analysis of the High Court decisions in South Africa Sugar Association v the Minister of Trade and Industry 2017 4 All SA 555 (GP) and Pioneer Foods (Pty) Ltd v Minister of Finance 2017 ZAWCHC 110 (29 September 2017). These two cases offer for the first time, clarification on the nature of the power conferred on the Minister of Finance by section 48(1)(b) of the CEA. The High Court in these two cases rejected the argument that the role of the Minister of Finance in respect of the power conferred upon him/her by section 48(1)(b) is that of a "registrar" who merely 'rubberstamps' the decision of the Minister of Trade and Industry. Consequently, the High Court in both matters held that a veto power is conferred on the Minister of Finance which permits him/her to either accept or decline the request of the Minister of Trade and Industry to amend Schedule 1 of the CEA.To the contrary, this paper argues that if the Minister of Finance declines the request of the Minister of Trade and Industry, s/he is not 'giving effect' to the request of the Minister of Trade and Industry as required by section 48(1)(b) of the CEA and is thus acting ultra vires because s/he is assuming powers which never conferred on him/her by the legislature. This paper also argues that the High Court in both matters, misconstrued the relationship between section 48(1)(b) and the "public interest" provisions in section 48 and thus unjustifiably stripped the Minister of Trade and Industry of his/her power to implement an amendment to Schedule 1. In the final analysis, this paper explores the impact of the Customs Duty Act 30 of 2014 on the Minister of Finance's powers in this regard.    

scholarly journals Mammals on the Sangihe and Talaud Islands, Indonesia, and the impact of hunting and habitat loss

Oryx ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Riley
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Conservation ◽  
Wildlife Reserve ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
Flying Fox

Surveys between 1995 and 1999 brought the number of mammal species known to occur on the remote Sangihe and Talaud islands, Indonesia, from 34 to 37, of which 30 are indigenous and 22 are bats. Populations of bear cuscus Ailurops ursinus and Sulawesi small cuscus Strigocuscus celebensis are represented by endemic subspecies, whilst five little-studied species (Talaud Islands flying fox Acerodon humilis, Sangihe tarsier Tarsius sangirensis, Sangihe squirrel Prosciurillus rosenbergi, short-tailed Talaud melomys Melomys caurinus and long-tailed Talaud melomys M. talaudium) are endemic to the archipelago. Two squirrel species were recorded on Sangihe for the first time: Sulawesi dwarf squirrel P. murinus and Sulawesi giant squirrel Rubrisciurus rubriventer. In total, eight species occurring on the islands are categorized as globally threatened on the 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Habitat loss and hunting are the main threats on the Sangihe islands, where only 800 ha of primary forest remain. Large areas of Karakelang, in the Talaud Islands, are still forested, and a 24,669 ha wildlife reserve has been recently established. The main pressure facing mammal species on the Talaud Islands is hunting, particularly mist-netting of fruit bats for local consumption and trade. In order to control hunting and prevent further forest loss and degradation, future conservation efforts should focus on community-based conservation, in particular raising community awareness and increasing law enforcement. Two concurrent projects are now tackling some of these issues.

scholarly journals T.E.A.M.S.Work: Leveraging Technicians to Enhance ABM Med Sync in Community Pharmacies

Pharmacy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamera D. Hughes ◽  
Lana M. Minshew ◽  
Stacey Cutrell ◽  
Stefanie P. Ferreri
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Clinical Services ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Pharmacy Technicians ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Prescription Volume

The expansion of pharmacy technicians’ roles in community pharmacies allows pharmacists the opportunity to focus on providing clinical services to patients. This study explores the tasks pharmacy technicians’ perform to support Med Sync programs in community pharmacies. Pharmacy staff members at North Carolina pharmacies with more than fifty percent of their prescription volume being dispensed as part of a Med Sync program were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Inductive coding and summary analysis were used to analyze the interview data. Study participants described pharmacy technicians’ roles in identifying patients for marketing and enrollment, reviewing patients’ medications list, choosing alignment dates based on patient preference, contacting patients in preparation for dispensing and, lastly, engaging in pickup or delivery of medications. This study highlights technicians’ vital role in completing tasks that support Med Sync programs in community pharmacies.

scholarly journals Effect of community-based nutrition on infant nutrition and associated health practices in Narok, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 724-734
Author(s):  
Job Mapesa ◽  
Joyce Meme ◽  
Olive Muthamia
Keyword(s):  
Rural Women ◽  
Child Nutrition ◽  
Infant Nutrition ◽  
Antenatal Clinic ◽  
Complementary Foods ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Infant And Young Child ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
The Impact

Background: Lack of knowledge, and poor attitudes and practices among rural women have been shown to negatively influence maternal, infant and young child nutrition outcomes as well as child health and cognitive development. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of community-based nutrition on infant nutrition. Methods: A mixed method approach using a structured questionnaire to collect quantitative data (n=234) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) for qualitative data was used in Narok County, Kenya. Results: About 57% of the participants received nutrition and health information from hospital trained health person- nel. Whereas most women indicated having attended antenatal clinics, very few delivered in the hospital (17%). Exclusive breastfeeding knowledge was below 50%, although not statistically significant (p=0.584) across the education spectrum as opposed to identification of malnutrition signs, which was significant (p<0.05). Whereas 74% of the participants had knowledge about signs of malnutrition, only 58% could identify the causes. Rating for complementary feeding among the study participants was about 61% for introduction of complementary foods and 80% for frequency of feeding. Vitamin A supplementation knowledge, antenatal clinic attendance and type of waste disposal were statistically significant (p<0.05) in relation to education level of the study participants. Conclusion: This study reveals the need to educate rural women for increased understanding and practice of appropriate infant and nutrition care through sustainable and effective essential nutrition actions. Keywords: Community; nutrition; breastfeeding; complementary foods; health; practice.

scholarly journals A survey of Alberta pharmacists’ attitudes, comfort and perceived barriers to a community-based naloxone program

2021 ◽  
pp. 171516352110182
Author(s):  
Sarah-Emily Nowlan ◽  
Neil J. MacKinnon ◽  
Ana Hincapie ◽  
Matt Tachuk
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Program Participation ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Comfort Levels ◽  
First Time

Background: Community pharmacists play an important role in the wellness of patients, families and friends affected by prescription and illicit opioid drugs. They are key partners of the Community Based Naloxone (CBN) Program in Alberta and similar programs across other Canadian jurisdictions. This publicly funded program is an evidence-based response to the opioid overdose crisis, facilitating access to and distribution of naloxone kits through pharmacies. The study aimed to describe Alberta community pharmacists’ practices, training, comfort levels and views in dispensing naloxone kits through the CBN program and detail potential perceived barriers to program participation. Methods: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional online survey of Alberta pharmacists. Data collected from the survey were descriptive and evaluated using Microsoft Excel. Fisher exact tests were used to study the associations in responses among several demographic characteristics and related to dispensing practices, pharmacists’ beliefs and perceived barriers. Results: A total of 255 responses were included in the final analysis, with 89.8% of pharmacists replying “yes” to CBN program participation. Pharmacists on average were “comfortable” dispensing naloxone to patients for varying indications, with 85% reporting always providing education when dispensing naloxone to an individual for the first time. About 41% of pharmacists reported no barriers to the program, with the most common perceived barriers being lack of time (29%), demand (20%) and funding (19%). Conclusion: Most community pharmacists who responded to the survey participate in the CBN program in Alberta. They held positive beliefs about their role in screening patients for the risk of opioid overdose and are confident in their abilities to recommend and educate on naloxone kits. Proactive screening appeared lower, however, and dispensing kits were potentially variable. Addressing factors such as time, funding for services and demand may help further pharmacist uptake and success of the program. Can Pharm J (Ott) 2021;154:xx-xx.

The Stereotype Threat Effect

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen Moritz ◽  
Insa Happach ◽  
Karla Spirandelli ◽  
Tania M. Lincoln ◽  
Fabrice Berna
Keyword(s):  
Stereotype Threat ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Neuropsychological Performance ◽  
Neurocognitive Deficits ◽  
Online Study ◽  
Memory And Attention ◽  
Threat Effect ◽  
Efficacy Expectations ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Neurocognitive deficits in patients with mental disorders are partially due to secondary influences. “Stereotype threat” denotes the phenomenon that performance is compromised when a participant is confronted with a devaluing stereotype. The present study examined the impact of stereotype threat on neuropsychological performance in schizophrenia. Seventy-seven participants with a self-reported diagnosis of schizophrenia were randomly assigned to either an experimental condition involving stereotype threat activation or a control condition in an online study. Participants completed memory and attention tests as well as questionnaires on motivation, self-efficacy expectations, cognitive complaints, and self-stigmatization. Contrary to our prediction, the two groups showed no significant differences regarding neuropsychological performance and self-report measures. Limitations, such as a possibly too weak threat cue, are discussed and recommendations for future studies are outlined.

The impact of participant pathways on the effectiveness of a community-based physical activity intervention grounded in motivational interviewing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Wade ◽  
Nicola Brown ◽  
James Steele ◽  
Steven Mann ◽  
Bernadette Dancy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Motivational Interviewing ◽  
Social Action ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Time Point

Background: Brief advice is recommended to increase physical activity (PA) within primary care. This study assessed change in PA levels and mental wellbeing after a motivational interviewing (MI) community-based PA intervention and the impact of signposting [SP] and Social Action [SA] (i.e. weekly group support) pathways. Methods: Participants (n=2084) took part in a community-based, primary care PA programme using MI techniques. Self-reported PA and mental wellbeing data were collected at baseline (following an initial 30-minute MI appointment), 12-weeks, six-months, and 12-months. Participants were assigned based upon the surgery they attended to the SP or SA pathway. Multilevel models were used to derive point estimates and 95%CIs for outcomes at each time point and change scores. Results: Participants increased PA and mental wellbeing at each follow-up time point through both participant pathways and with little difference between pathways. Retention was similar between pathways at 12-weeks, but the SP pathway retained more participants at six-months and 12-months. Conclusions: Both pathways produced similar improvements in PA and mental wellbeing, suggesting the effectiveness of MI based PA interventions. However, due to lower resources required yet similar effects, SP pathways are recommended over SA to support PA in primary care settings.

Relationship between big five personality model and abusive supervision

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bibi Tahira ◽  
Naveed Saif ◽  
Muhammad Haroon ◽  
Sadaqat Ali
Keyword(s):  
Big Five ◽  
Abusive Supervision ◽  
State Universities ◽  
Big Five Personality ◽  
Big Five Model ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
Supervisor Behavior ◽  
Moderating Role

The current study tries to understand the diverse nature of relationship between personality Big Five Model (PBFM) and student's perception of abusive supervision in higher education institutions of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Pakistan. Data was collected in dyads i.e. (supervisors were asked to rate their personality attributes while student were asked to rate the supervisor behavior) through adopted construct. For this purpose, data was collected from three government state universities and one Private Sector University. The focus was on MS/M.Phill and PhD student and their supervisors of the mentioned universities. After measuring normality and validity regression analysis was conducted to assess the impact of supervisor personality characteristics that leads to abusive supervision. Findings indicate interestingly that except agreeableness other four attributes of (PBFM) are play their role for abusive supervision. The results are novel in the nature as for the first time Neuroticism, openness to experience, extraversion and conscientiousness are held responsible for the abusive supervision. The study did not explore the demographic characteristics, and moderating role of organizational culture, justice and interpersonal deviances to understand the strength of relationship in more detail way. Keywords: Personality big five model, abusive supervision, HEIs

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document