Brolucizumab-Associated Intraocular Inflammation in Eyes Without Retinal Vasculitis

Purpose: This work analyzes a series of eyes with brolucizumab-associated intraocular inflammation (IOI) without retinal vasculitis reported to the American Society of Retina Specialists. Methods: The American Society of Retina Specialists Research and Safety in Therapeutics Committee analyzed clinical characteristics from submitted reports of IOI after brolucizumab. Eyes with retinal vasculitis or that received intraocular antibiotics were excluded. Results: Forty-nine eyes of 45 patients were collected. Mean visual acuity (VA) at baseline was 20/49 (range, 20/20-5/200). Patients presented with IOI a mean of 24 days (range, 3-63 days) after their most recent brolucizumab injection; 61% presented for an unscheduled visit while 39% presented at routine follow-up. Mean VA at IOI presentation was 20/67 (range, 20/20-3/200). The most common symptoms were floaters (78%) and blurry vision (76%). Pain (20%) and redness (16%) were less common; 3 (6%) eyes were asymptomatic. IOI was anterior only in 18%, posterior only in 31%, and both anterior and posterior in 51% of eyes. Treatment included topical steroids alone in 67% of eyes, whereas 10% of eyes received no treatment. Mean VA at last follow-up was 20/56 (range, 20/20-1/200). Three (6%) eyes lost 3 or more lines and 1 (2%) eye lost 6 or more lines. Conclusions: Brolucizumab-associated IOI without retinal vasculitis typically presented with a delayed onset of a few weeks. Often, VA decline was relatively mild. Most symptoms resolved and nearly all had a return-to-baseline VA, but a small percentage of patients had a significant decrease in VA at last follow-up.

Exploring perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship: a qualitative study of health managers in Kenya

Background Antimicrobial resistance is a significant public health concern with the establishment of antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals being increasingly obligatory. Perspectives and insights of health managers on antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), complementary health services and building blocks are imperative towards implementation of robust AMS programs. This study aimed to understand perspectives of hospital managers on AMS and identify areas of management engagement while addressing potential blockades to change. Methods A cross-sectional, qualitative, multicenter study was conducted in three hospitals in Kenya. Key-informant interviews on perspectives on AMS were administered to hospital managers. Qualitative data was captured using audio tapes and field notes, transcribed and managed using NVivo 12 software. An iterative process was used to develop the thematic framework and updated in two rounds of iteration analysis. Analysis charts for each emergent theme were developed and categorized across all participants. Results Perspectives on AMS are described in five thematic categories; Importance of antimicrobial stewardship and the role of medicines and therapeutics committee, availability of antimicrobial formulary and usage surveillance systems, laboratory competency and recommendations for infection prevention and management, educational resources and communications channels available, building blocks and low-lying fruits for Antimicrobial Stewardship Committees. The role of stewardship collaboration in diagnosis and antimicrobial prescription was alluded to with managers indicating a growing rise in occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. There lacked contextualized, hospital specific antimicrobial formulary and adequate laboratory competency. Staff training and communication channels were available in varying capacity across the three hospitals. Building blocks identified include medicines and therapeutics committee, education, and training platforms (Continuous Medical Education and Continuous Professional Development activities) and hospital leadership commitment. Conclusions The practice of antimicrobial stewardship is not implemented and well developed as demonstrated by lack of core AMS complementary health services. However, the health managers are aware of the fundamental importance of antimicrobial stewardship programs and the vast benefits of implementation and institutionalization of AMS to hospitals and their clients. The findings underpin the importance of understanding and incorporating perspectives of health managers on existing contextual mechanisms that can be leveraged on to establish robust AMS programs in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

Exploring perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship: a qualitative study of health managers in Kenya

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a significant public health concern with the establishment of antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals being increasingly obligatory. Perspectives and insights of health managers on antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), complementary health services and building blocks are imperative towards implementation of robust AMS programs. This study aimed to understand perspectives of hospital managers on AMS and identify areas of management engagement while addressing potential blockades to change.Methods: A cross-sectional, qualitative, multicenter study was conducted in three hospitals in Kenya. Key-informant interviews on perspectives on AMS were administered to hospital managers. Qualitative data was captured using audio tapes and field notes, transcribed and managed using NVivo 12 software. An iterative process was used to develop the thematic framework and updated in two rounds of iteration analysis. Analysis charts for each emergent theme were developed and categorized across all participants.Results: Perspectives on AMS are described in five thematic categories; Importance of antimicrobial stewardship and the role of medicines and therapeutics committee, availability of antimicrobial formulary and usage surveillance systems, laboratory competency and recommendations for infection prevention and management, educational resources and communications channels available, building blocks and low-lying fruits for Antimicrobial Stewardship Committees. The role of stewardship collaboration in diagnosis and antimicrobial prescription was alluded to with managers indicating a growing rise in occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. There lacked contextualized, hospital specific antimicrobial formulary and adequate laboratory competency. Staff training and communication channels were available in varying capacity across the three hospitals. Building blocks identified include medicines and therapeutics committee, education, and training platforms (Continuous Medical Education and Continuous Professional Development activities) and hospital leadership commitment.Conclusions: The practice of antimicrobial stewardship is not implemented and well developed as demonstrated by lack of core AMS complementary health services. However, the health managers are aware of the fundamental importance of antimicrobial stewardship programs and the vast benefits of implementation and institutionalization of AMS to hospitals and their clients. The findings underpin the importance of understanding and incorporating perspectives of health managers on existing contextual mechanisms that can be leveraged on to establish robust AMS programs in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

Exploring perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship: a qualitative study of health managers in Kenya

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a significant public health concern with the establishment of antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals being obligatory now more than ever. The perspectives and insights of health managers on antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), the complementary health services and building blocks are imperative towards implementation of robust antimicrobial stewardship programs. This study aimed to understand the perspectives of hospital managers to AMS and identify areas of management engagement and addressing potential blockades to change.Methods: A cross-sectional, qualitative, multicenter study was conducted in three hospitals in Kenya. Key-informant, face-to-face interviews with hospital health managers were carried out on their perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship. Qualitative data was captured using audio tapes and field notes, transcribed and managed using NVivo 12 software. An iterative process was used to develop the thematic framework and updated in two rounds of iteration analysis. Analysis charts for each emergent theme were developed and categorized across all participants.Results: Perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship are described in five thematic categories; Importance of antimicrobial stewardship and the role of medicines and therapeutics committee, availability of an antimicrobial formulary and usage surveillance systems, laboratory competency and recommendations for infection prevention and management, educational resources and communications channels available, building blocks and low-lying fruits for Antimicrobial Stewardship Committees. The role of stewardship collaboration in diagnosis and antimicrobial prescription was alluded to with managers indicating a growing rise in occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. There was no contextualized, hospital specific antimicrobial formulary based on the local antibiograms in any of the hospitals. Lack of adequate laboratory competency was a major deficit with most hospitals lacking culture and sensitivity testing services. Staff training and communication channels were available in varying capacity across the three hospitals. Building blocks identified include medicines and therapeutics committee, education, and training platforms (Continuous Medical Education and Continuous Professional Development activities) and hospital leadership commitment towards antimicrobial stewardship.Conclusions: The practice of antimicrobial stewardship is not implemented and well developed in the sampled healthcare facilities as demonstrated by lack of core AMS complementary health services. However, the health managers are aware of the fundamental importance of antimicrobial stewardship programs and the vast benefits of implementation and institutionalization of AMS to the hospital and its clients alike. The findings underpin the importance of understanding and incorporating the perspectives of health managers on the existing contextual mechanisms that can be leveraged on to establish robust Antimicrobial Stewardship programs in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

Exploring perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship: a qualitative study of health managers in Kenya

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a significant public health concern with the establishment of antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals being obligatory now more than ever. The perspectives and insights of health managers on antimicrobial stewardship, the complementary health services and building blocks are imperative towards implementation of robust antimicrobial stewardship programs.Methods: A cross-sectional, qualitative, multicenter study was conducted in three hospitals in Kenya. Key-informant, face-to-face interviews with hospital health managers were carried out on their perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship. Qualitative data was captured using audio tapes and field notes, transcribed and managed using QSR Nvivo 12 software. An iterative process was used to develop the thematic framework and updated in two rounds of iteration analysis. Analysis charts for each emergent theme were developed and categorized across all participants.Results: Perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship are described in five thematic categories; Importance of antimicrobial stewardship and the role of medicines and therapeutics committee, availability of an antimicrobial formulary and usage surveillance systems, Laboratory competency and recommendations for infection prevention and management, Educational resources and communications channels available, Building blocks and low-lying fruits for ASCs. The role of stewardship collaboration in diagnosis and antimicrobial prescription was alluded to with managers indicating a growing rise in occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. There was no contextualized, hospital specific antimicrobial formulary based on the local antibiograms in any of the hospitals. Lack of adequate laboratory competency was a major deficit with most hospitals lacking culture and sensitivity testing services. Staff training and communication channels were available in varying capacity across the three hospitals. Building blocks identified include medicines and therapeutics committee, education and training platforms (CMEs and CPDs) and hospital leadership commitment towards antimicrobial stewardship.Conclusions: The findings underpin the importance of understanding and incorporating the perspectives of health managers on the existing contextual mechanisms that can be leveraged on to establish robust AMS programs in the fight against AMR.

Exploring Perspectives on Antimicrobial Stewardship: A Qualitative Study of Health Managers in Kenya

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a significant public health concern with the establishment of antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals being obligatory now more than ever. The perspectives and insights of health managers on antimicrobial stewardship, the complementary health services and building blocks are imperative towards implementation of robust antimicrobial stewardship programs.Methods: A cross-sectional, qualitative, multicenter study was conducted in three hospitals in Kenya. Key-informant, face-to-face interviews with hospital health managers were carried out on their perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship. Qualitative data was captured using audio tapes and field notes, transcribed and managed using QSR Nvivo 12 software. An iterative process was used to develop the thematic framework and updated in two rounds of iteration analysis. Analysis charts for each emergent theme were developed and categorized across all participants.Results: Perspectives on antimicrobial stewardship are described in five thematic categories; Importance of antimicrobial stewardship and the role of medicines and therapeutics committee, availability of an antimicrobial formulary and usage surveillance systems, Laboratory competency and recommendations for infection prevention and management, Educational resources and communications channels available, Building blocks and low-lying fruits for ASCs. The role of stewardship collaboration in diagnosis and antimicrobial prescription was alluded to with managers indicating a growing rise in occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. There was no contextualized, hospital specific antimicrobial formulary based on the local antibiograms in any of the hospitals. Lack of adequate laboratory competency was a major deficit with most hospitals lacking culture and sensitivity testing services. Staff training and communication channels were available in varying capacity across the three hospitals. Building blocks identified include medicines and therapeutics committee, education and training platforms (CMEs and CPDs) and hospital leadership commitment towards antimicrobial stewardship.Conclusions: The findings underpin the importance of understanding and incorporating the perspectives of health managers on the existing contextual mechanisms that can be leveraged on to establish robust AMS programs in the fight against AMR.

Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Preparedness Plan for COVID-19

ABSTRACT As the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) committee acts as an advisory committee on therapeutic options, it is important during pandemics, such as the current Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, to quickly search the evidence, be able to select the most appropriate therapies despite the limited evidence, and make appropriate decisions related to which drugs to procure and stock. Potential therapies and recommendations to the P&T committee at a large healthcare institution as means of a preparedness plan are reviewed here.