Economic impact of pharmaceutical services on polymedicated patients: A systematic review

BackgroundPolypharmacy is commonly related to poor drug adherence, decreased quality of life and inappropriate prescribing in eldery. Furthermore, this condition also leads to a higher utilization of health services resources, due to the increased risk of adverse drug events, length of stays in hospitals and readmissions rates after discharge.ObjectiveThis Systematic Review aimed to synthesize the current evidence that evaluates pharmaceutical services on polymedicated patients, from an economic perspective.MethodsSystematic searches were conducted in MEDLINE, SCOPUS and Cochrane Library databases to identify studies that were published until January 2021. Experimental and observational studies were included in this review, using strict inclusion/exclusion criteria and were assessed for quality using the following tools: RoB and ROBINS-I. Two independent reviewers selected the articles and extracted the data.Results3,662 articles were retrieved from the databases. After the screening, 18 studies were included: 9 experimental and 9 observational studies. The studies reported that the integration of the pharmacist as a member of the healthcare team provides an optimized use of pharmacotherapy to polymedicated patients and contributes to health promotion, providing reduction of spending on medication, reduction of expenses related to emergency care and hospitalizations and other medical expenses. The ECRs made cost-effectiveness or cost-benefit analysis, and most of the Non Randomized studies had statistically significant cost savings even considering the expenses of pharmaceutical assistance. Experimental studies reported a cost reduction varying between US$ 193 to US$ 4,966 per patient per year. Furthermore, observational studies estimated a cost reduction of varying from US$ 3 to US$ 2,505 per patient per year. The cost savings are related to decrease in emergency visits and hospitalizations, through pharmacist intervention (medication review and pharmacotherapy follow-up).ConclusionsConsidering the set of studies included, pharmaceutical care services directed to polymedicated patients may cooperate to save financial resources. Most of the interventions showed positive economic trends and also contributed to improving clinical parameters and quality of life. However, due to the majority of the studies having exploratory or qualitative methodology, it is essential to carry out more robust studies, based on full economic evaluation.     

川东北地区社会心理服务现状调查

目的 调查川东北地区各组织机构开展社会心理服务的现状以及居民的心理健康状况，为该地区社会心理服务体系建设工作的进一步开展提供参考。方法 采用自编调查表对巴中市通江县、广元市利州区、达州市大竹县共计148家组织机构进行调查，包括各组织机构社会心理服务体系建设工作现状及心理健康服务开展情况；采用患者健康问卷抑郁量表（PHQ-9）、广泛性焦虑障碍量表（GAD-7）和自编心理健康服务需求调查表，对三地试点地区21 505名居民的心理健康状况及其对心理服务的需求进行调查。结果 在试点地区148家组织机构中，81家（54.7%）机构有开展心理健康服务的场所，58家（39.2%）机构配备了专兼职心理健康服务工作人员。在2019年，有95家（64.2%）机构开展了职工心理健康服务活动，104家（70.3%）机构开展了心理健康科普宣传活动。在75家教育机构中，67家（89.3%）机构对学生开展了心理健康教育活动，47家（62.7%）机构实现了心理健康课程在学生中全覆盖。居民的抑郁、焦虑检出率分别为36.8%和30.8%，有83.7%的居民有心理健康服务的需求，主要集中在个人成长、婚姻家庭、子女教育和压力管理方面。结论 川东北三市试点地区的社会心理服务工作有序进行，场地、经费及人才保障有待进一步加强。居民的抑郁和焦虑问题较突出，且对心理健康服务的需求较高。     

社区严重精神障碍患者规律面访情况及其影响因素研究

背景严重精神障碍患者因自知力欠缺及高复发性、高致残性等特点，对社会稳定造成严重威胁。做好社区面访管理工作意义重大，通过定期面访患者本人，可以更好地综合评估患者病情，以便及时采取措施，提高管理服务质量。目的了解社区严重精神障碍患者规律面访情况及其影响因素，为提高社区患者的面访服务管理质量提供参考依据。方法2020年10—12月，利用2019年底江苏省严重精神障碍管理系统中建档管理的无锡市严重精神障碍患者基础档案及随访管理信息，分析当年度无锡市社区严重精神障碍患者规律面访情况，采用Logistic回归分析规律面访的影响因素。结果共纳入27 778例研究对象，其规律面访率为81.08%（22 523/27 778）。Logistic回归分析结果显示，非本地户籍〔OR（95%CI）=0.704（0.640，0.775）〕、年龄≤44岁〔OR（95%CI）=0.522（0.472，0.578）〕、学历为高中及以上〔高中/中专OR（95%CI）=0.493（0.446，0.545），大专及以上OR（95%CI）=0.470（0.415，0.532）〕、目前有正式工作〔OR（95%CI）=0.715（0.668，0.766）〕、未婚〔OR（95%CI）=0.746（0.665，0.838）〕、经济状况为非贫困〔OR（95%CI）=0.587（0.517，0.666）〕、没有进行抗精神病药物治疗〔OR（95%CI）=0.491（0.440，0.548）〕、服药时长0~10年〔OR（95%CI）=0.881（0.778，0.998）〕、不是"以奖代补"监护补助对象〔OR（95%CI）=0.807（0.704，0.926）〕、不参加社区康复服务〔OR（95%CI）=0.844（0.716，0.996）〕是患者规律面访的消极影响因素（P<0.05）。结论无锡市社区严重精神障碍患者规律面访率尚需进一步提高，应重点关注非本地户籍、年龄≤44岁、高中及以上学历、目前有正式工作、未婚、经济非贫困、没有进行抗精神病药物治疗、服药时长0~10年、不是监护补助对象和不参加社区康复服务的社区严重精神障碍患者。可通过制定倾斜性政策、开展宣传教育、降低患者病耻感、改善患者疾病认知、加强患者社会支持等措施提高患者规律面访率。     

Adopting global tools for the advancement of pharmacy practice and workforce in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundThe continuing expansion of the pharmacist’s role necessitates continuous evaluation of current practice to identify strategies for improvements. The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has developed tools to support stakeholders in identifying development needs and planning advancement strategies. The aim of this research was to utilise the FIP Global Competency Framework, version 2 (GbCF v2), and FIP Development Goals (DGs) to evaluate competencies related to pharmacy practice in Saudi Arabia, and to understand the strategies needed to develop and improve the current practice.MethodsThe study involved four phases. Phase 1 involved translation of the FIP GbCF v2 into the Arabic language. Phase 2 was a consensus panel validation to establish the initial relevance of the competencies to current practice. Phase 3 included a national survey distributed to all registered pharmacists in Saudi Arabia. The final phase was conducted through mapping ‘not relevant’ competencies to FIP DGs to identify priorities.ResultsThe translation phase yielded a bilingual framework that could be utilized by pharmacists in Saudi Arabia. The initial validation phase identified 61 behavioral statements (from 124 in the GbCF v2) as ‘highly relevant’ or ‘relevant’ to pharmacy practice. Findings from the national survey identified a list of ‘not relevant’ competencies that could highlight gaps in current practice. The final mapping phase generated a list of three FIP DG priorities: DG5 (competency development), DG8 (working with others) and DG11 (impact and outcomes).ConclusionThe study indicated that competencies in the GbCF v2 were relevant to pharmacists practicing in the country. However, some competencies were perceived as ‘not relevant’ to current practice and these highlighted gaps in the current practice that need attention. Mapping ‘not relevant’ competencies to FIP DGs should be used as a starting point towards developing strategies, systems, and protocols to advance pharmacy practice in Saudi Arabia.     

Occurrence,detection and ecotoxicity studies of selected pharmaceuticals in aqueous ecosystems- a systematic appraisal

Pharmaceutical compounds (PCs) have globally emerged as a significant group of environmental contaminants due to the constant detection of their residues in the environment. The main scope of this review is to fill the void of information on the knowledge on the African occurrence of selected PCs in environmental matrices in comparison with those outside Africa and their respective toxic actions on both aquatic and non-aquatic biota through ecotoxicity bioassays. To achieve this objective, the study focused on commonly used and detected pharmaceutical drugs (residues). Based on the conducted literature survey, Africa has the highest levels of ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, lamivudine, acetaminophen, and diclofenac while Europe has the lowest of all these PC residues in her physical environments. For ecotoxicity bioassays, the few data available are mostly on individual groups of pharmaceuticals whereas there is sparsely available data on their combined forms.     

Collaborating toward equity in Pennsylvania: The Age-Friendly Care,PA project

Objective

To collaboratively implement the age-friendly health systems framework, known as the 4Ms: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility, at The Primary Health Network (PHN), a federally qualified health center.

Data Sources

Data were collected from PHN electronic medical records (EMRs) for individuals over age 65 from December 30, 2019 to December 24, 2021 and from Project ECHO© attendance and evaluation surveys.

Study Design

The telementoring educational program, Project ECHO©, was used to engage PHN health care professionals working in rural areas of Pennsylvania to incorporate the 4Ms into their practice starting with the annual wellness visit (AWV). Project ECHO© was launched at three primary care sites. After 18 months, it was then disseminated to an additional 18 sites creating pilot and comparison groups. Outcomes included codesigned patient process metrics using EMR data and project ECHO© participant data.

Data Collection Methods

EMR data were generated by system reports created by PHN's quality assurance program manager. Project ECHO© data were collected and managed using REDCap electronic data capture tools. Outcomes were aggregated, analyzed for trends over time, and compared between groups.

Principal Findings

All nine process outcomes increased from baseline to follow-up at the three initial sites, ranging from 4% to 43% g. At year two, the three initial sites had higher rates on AWVs (pilot 24%, comparison 12%; p < 0.0001), Advance Care Planning (New on file, pilot 8%, comparison 2%; Discussed with patient, pilot 18%, comparison 13%; Patient declined, pilot 0%, comparison 0%; p = 0.0001), Dementia Screening (pilot 24%, comparison 12%; p < 0.0001), Fall Risk Management (pilot 43%, comparison 10%; p < 0.0001), and Mobility Goal (pilot 19%, comparison 9%; p < 0.0001); and lower rates on High-Risk Medication Elimination (pilot 54%, comparison, 63%, p < 0.02).

Conclusions

Access to high-quality geriatric care for rural older adults can be improved by increasing health care professionals' knowledge of the 4Ms, beginning with its incorporation into the AWV.     

日本居家安宁疗护服务体系构建经验及其对我国的启示

21世纪的日本"少子高龄化"特征明显，发展居家安宁疗护、构建完备的居家安宁疗护服务体系，是日本卫生服务提供体制改革的重要方向。本文介绍了日本居家安宁疗护的含义与理念，以及关于居家安宁疗护服务提供机构、提供人员、提供内容及费用保障的法律规定，提示我国在条件成熟时应尽快健全安宁疗护相关立法，在卫生服务提供体系框架下实现居家安宁疗护的稳定发展，建立并强化安宁疗护过程中的协作机制，并为居家安宁疗护提供必要的经费保障，通过完善的制度设计保障老年人"居家善终"的权益。