Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · Nov 2016
Antibiotic prescriptions in the community by type of provider in the United States, 2005-2010.
Although antibiotic prescriptions are decreasing in the United States, broad-spectrum prescribing is increasing. It is unknown if decreases observed in national antibiotic prescribing differ by provider group. Understanding prescribing trends over time by provider group can be helpful for customizing antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to describe outpatient antibiotic prescribing by provider group overall and adjusted for population and number of providers. In addition, trends in prescribing by class and seasonal variation are described by provider group over 6 years. ⋯ Over 6 years, antibiotic prescriptions overall and for broad-spectrum agents decreased for physicians and increased for NPs and PAs. Thus, increasing trends in the US of broad-spectrum antibiotic prescriptions can be attributed to midlevel providers. Interventions should be designed to reverse increasing prescribing trends, especially of broad-spectrum agents prescribed by NPs and PAs. Stewardship efforts should also be targeted towards dentists, since this group prescribes a higher proportion of antibiotics compared with midlevel providers.
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · Nov 2016
Impact of a pharmacist-driven beta-lactam allergy interview on inpatient antimicrobial therapy: A pilot project.
To determine the impact of a pharmacist-driven beta-lactam allergy interview on antimicrobial therapy. ⋯ A pharmacist-driven beta-lactam allergy interview was effective in switching eligible patients to beta-lactam therapy and identifying discrepancies between EMR-documented allergies and confirmed allergies. Antimicrobial recommendations were well received by medical providers with a high acceptance rate.
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · Nov 2016
Pharmacist engagement within a hepatitis C ambulatory care clinic in the era of a treatment revolution.
To describe an innovative hepatitis C virus (HCV) care program and treatment outcomes resulting from pharmacist services. ⋯ Through a structured process employing a scope of practice, pharmacists can extend the capacity of medical hepatology providers and provide pharmacotherapy services to enhance care. Information provided here may serve beneficial to others looking to initiate or expand existing HCV pharmacist services.
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · May 2016
Assessment of medication adherence app features, functionality, and health literacy level and the creation of a searchable Web-based adherence app resource for health care professionals and patients.
To assess the features and level of health literacy (HL) of available medication adherence apps and to create a searchable website to assist health care providers (HCP) and patients identify quality adherence apps. ⋯ App design, functionality, and level of HL varies widely among adherence apps. While no app is perfect, several apps scored highly across all domains. The website www.medappfinder.com is a searchable tool that helps HCP and patients identify quality apps in a crowded marketplace.
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J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) · Jan 2016
SafeMed: Using pharmacy technicians in a novel role as community health workers to improve transitions of care.
To describe the design, implementation, and early experience of the SafeMed program, which uses certified pharmacy technicians in a novel expanded role as community health workers (CPhT-CHWs) to improve transitions of care. ⋯ The early experience of the SafeMed program demonstrates that CPhT-CHWs are well suited for novel expanded roles to improve care transitions for superutilizing populations. CPhT-CHWs can identify and report potential DTPs to the pharmacist to help target medication therapy management. Critical success factors include strong CPhT-CHW patient-centered communication skills and strong pharmacist champions. In collaboration with state pharmacy boards and pharmacist associations, the SafeMed CPhT-CHW model can be successfully scaled to serve superutilizing patients throughout the country.