Interventional, Quasi-Experimental Study of a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Education Care Plan for Hospital Discharge

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, and reduced quality of life for patients. Proper use of inhaler devices is critical for effective drug delivery and prevention of COPD progression. The primary endpoint of this study was a mean percent increase in correct steps associated with inhaler technique after pharmacist education. The co-primary endpoint was a 25% increase in the proportion of patients correctly identifying the appropriate use of short-acting versus long-acting inhaler types. This was an interventional quasi-experimental study of patients hospitalized at a 491-bed tertiary academic medical center with a COPD exacerbation to assess a pharmacist-led COPD care plan. Eligible patients included general floor, adult patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of COPD exacerbation. The primary investigator recorded initial inhaler technique scores through a paper checklist, and provided education about device types and usage. Patients were reassessed within 48 h to determine if pharmacist education improved inhaler knowledge. A total of 67 patients received the COPD care plan before hospital discharge. At baseline, patients scored a median of 81.8% (67.5–97.0) of steps correct across all inhaler device types. After pharmacist education, patient scores increased to a median of 100% (90.9–100.0) (p < 0.0001). The proportion of patients correctly identifying when to use short-acting versus long-acting inhalers increased from 73.1% to 98.5% (p < 0.0001). Implementation of a pharmacist-led care plan for patients admitted for COPD exacerbation was associated with an increase in correct steps for appropriate inhaler technique and understanding of inhaler device types after pharmacist education.

Telepharmacy during COVID-19: A Scoping Review

The objective of this scoping review is to summarize the implementation of telepharmacy during the surge of COVID-19. This review will focus on answering four questions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, (1) what were the various telepharmacy initiatives implemented? (2) what were the challenges faced when implementing telehealth initiatives? (3) what were the strategies used by pharmacies to overcome the challenges, and (4) what were some of the innovative methods used by pharmacies to implement telepharmacy? A literature search was conducted to include publications post-March 2020 about telepharmacy implementation via PubMed Central database and Google searches. All articles were examined for inclusion or exclusion based on pre-determined criteria. A total of 33 articles were reviewed. The most commonly observed telepharmacy initiatives were virtual consultations, home delivery of medicines and patient education. Limited access to technology and lack of digital access and literacy were major barriers in the implementation of telepharmacy. New protocols were developed by healthcare systems and regulations were relaxed by countries to accommodate telepharmacy. Pharmacies that successfully implemented telepharmacy overcame these challenges through patient and pharmacist education. The review also revealed the steps that can be taken by pharmacy organizations, payers and entrepreneurs in leveraging the convenience of telepharmacy.

Edukasi Apoteker Cilik Terkait Pengenalan Obat Kepada Siswa Kelas 5 SD Negeri Mangkura 1 Makassar

Sources of information about drugs are pharmacists, but many people do not know the Pharmacist profession. This is causes problems not only in adults but in children. Lack of knowledge about drugs in children can lead to drug abuse. The purpose of this activity is to educate Young Pharmacists regarding the introduction of drugs and as an embodiment of drug awareness ambassadors from an early age. This activity has been carried out at SD Negeri Mangkura 1 Makassar with 54 participants from 5th-grade elementary school students. The method of implementing the activity begins with educating the pharmacist on delivering the Young Pharmacist material, singing the Young Pharmacist jingle, and continuing with a question and answer session regarding drug knowledge to elementary school students. This Young Pharmacist education activity got positive results for 5th-grade students of SD Negeri Mangkura 1 Makassar which was seen from the increase in student's knowledge about the Pharmacist profession and students were very enthusiastic about giving good choices or bad choices regarding the safety of drug use. In addition, two Young Pharmacist ambassadors were chosen as the embodiment of drug awareness ambassadors from an early age.

Impact of Pharmacist Education on Inhaler Technique and Adherence in an Outpatient Clinic

Background and Objectives: To assess the impact that pharmacist education has on proper inhaler technique and adherence in a teaching clinic. Methods: This was prospective, non-randomized, pre-test/post-test study. Patients were 18 years or older, had a diagnosis of asthma or COPD, and prescribed at least 1 inhaled medication. Initial visits consisted of a baseline asthma control test (ACT) or COPD assessment test (CAT), the Test of Adherence to Inhalers (TAI), and a baseline inhaler technique evaluation. The pharmacist then educated the patient. Then inhaler technique was assessed again (post-education inhaler technique evaluation #1). Follow-up visits occurred 4 to 8 weeks later. ACT or CAT and TAI test were administered and inhaler technique was assessed again (post-education inhaler technique #2). The primary outcome was the comparison of the percentage of correct steps performed from baseline to post-education inhaler technique evaluation #1 and from baseline to post-education inhaler technique evaluation #2. Results: Eighteen patients were included, with a mean age of 58 years old. Over half had asthma, were female and African American. There was a significant difference in inhaler technique from baseline to post-education inhaler evaluation #1 and from baseline to post-education inhaler evaluation #2. The most common step missed was no exhalation before inhalation. There was no significant difference when comparing the individual and overall TAI test scores from initial to follow up visit. Conclusions: This study supports pharmacist-led inhaler technique education.

IMPACT OF CLINICAL PHARMACIST EDUCATION ON EVALUATION OF PREVALENCE, MONITORING AND LIPID CONTROL IN DYSLIPIDEMIC PATIENTS

Background: The importance of treating dyslipidemias based on cardiovascular risk factors is highlighted by the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines. Dyslipidemia is dened as a disorder of lipoprotein metabolism. In India ,the prevalence of dyslipidemia was found to be higher in males 38.7% than in females which is 23.3%. The hypercholesterolemia and hyper triglyceridemia are more prominent in the age group 31-40 years in both the age groups. objective: The main objective of the study is to assess clinical pharmacist education on evaluation of prevalence, monitoring and lipid control in dyslipidemic patients in a tertiary care hospital.method: The present study is a prospective observational study. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group and non-experimental group. Data were collected by using proforma and questionnaire after admission to the hospital and at the time of follow up in out-patient department. result: A total of 150 patients were recruited and 147 patients completed the study. Three patients in the non-experimental group dropped out of the study because they moved to another hospital. In the present study, we have analyzed 147 dyslipidemic patients. Among them in the experimental group, there were 75 participants. The patients aged above 18 years were included in the study. Prevalence of dyslipidemia was found to be highest in the patients aged above 61 years (56%) and least in the patients aged between 20-30 years (1%). All the Pvalues (p<0.05) considered statistically signicant. Results were analyzed by Graphpad prism

Patient Education and Sacubitril/Valsartan: A Randomized Comparative Trial

Objective: To compare video to pharmacist education for patients taking sacubitril/valsartan. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing video to pharmacist education with a second randomized intervention of education delivered through text or phone call at 14 days. The primary outcome compared the change in short term knowledge between groups and the secondary outcome was long term knowledge at 1 month. Results: Forty-three patients were included. Scores improved significantly ( P < .05) in the pharmacist group from 54.1% to 85.9% and from 64.3% to 86.1% in the video education group, although there was no difference between groups (31.8% vs 22.9%, P = .13). At 30 days, scores were significantly higher than baseline (difference 16.5%, P < .05) although did decrease from the posttest (difference 7.4%, P < .05). There was no difference at 30 days between those that received text messages versus phone calls (−10% vs −5.5%, respectively; P = .36). Conclusion: We saw improvements in both short term and long term knowledge for patients receiving education through pharmacist or video education. Neither approach was more effective than the other. Clinicians can use either approach based on patient preference.

COVID-19: Management and Challenges for Pharmacist, Education, and Society

Ever since the outbreak of highly contagious COVID-19, the world has been in combat to this disease. This disease is rarely fatal but to the patient with underlying conditions: cardiovascular, respiratory or organ failure pertaining to low immunity. With this emergence condition there arise a dire need to healthcare element, Pharmacist here play an integral and vital role by holding the link between society and physicians. The least basic duty a pharmacist can do is my spreading awareness about the spread of disease and its preventive measures. The present article aims to include the parameter that need to be workout in order to control the situation in various manners, its management for society and the most important is to ‘Break The Chain’ this would not only is in the benefit of individuals but also reduces the burden on healthcare system that already has been exploited enough.