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.     

Systematic Review of Health Economic Evaluations Focused on Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: The Tortoise and the Cheetah

ObjectivesThis study aimed to systematically review recent health economic evaluations (HEEs) of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in healthcare. The aim was to discuss pertinent methods, reporting quality and challenges for future implementation of AI in healthcare, and additionally advise future HEEs.MethodsA systematic literature review was conducted in 2 databases (PubMed and Scopus) for articles published in the last 5 years. Two reviewers performed independent screening, full-text inclusion, data extraction, and appraisal. The Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards and Philips checklist were used for the quality assessment of included studies.ResultsA total of 884 unique studies were identified; 20 were included for full-text review, covering a wide range of medical specialties and care pathway phases. The most commonly evaluated type of AI was automated medical image analysis models (n = 9, 45%). The prevailing health economic analysis was cost minimization (n = 8, 40%) with the costs saved per case as preferred outcome measure. A total of 9 studies (45%) reported model-based HEEs, 4 of which applied a time horizon >1 year. The evidence supporting the chosen analytical methods, assessment of uncertainty, and model structures was underreported. The reporting quality of the articles was moderate as on average studies reported on 66% of Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards items.ConclusionsHEEs of AI in healthcare are limited and often focus on costs rather than health impact. Surprisingly, model-based long-term evaluations are just as uncommon as model-based short-term evaluations. Consequently, insight into the actual benefits offered by AI is lagging behind current technological developments.     

左乙拉西坦治疗小儿癫痫的影响分析

目的研究左乙拉西坦治疗小儿癫痫的疗效以及对智力的影响。方法在本院2017年4月-2019年5月收治的小儿癫痫患儿中选取74例开展研究,按照随机数表法分两组观察组和对照组,观察组37例,对照组37例,对照组采用奥卡西平进行治疗,观察组采用左乙拉西坦进行治疗,对比观察组与对照组组的治疗总有效率和智力评分变化。结果观察组与对照组比较,观察组的治疗总有效率较高,智力评分明显较高,两项对比差异有统计学意义(P <0.05)。结论左乙拉西坦治疗小儿癫痫有较好的治疗效果,治疗总有效率较高,且对患儿的智力有明显的改善作用,在实际临床小儿癫痫的治疗中具有较高的运用价值。     

优化急诊护理对急性心肌梗死患者抢救效果的影响

目的评价急性心肌梗死(心肌梗死)患者抢救期间配合应用优化急诊护理干预对抢救效果的影响。方法选择本院收治的急性心肌梗死患者,总计80例。除抢救治疗外,给予患者随机分组进行护理干预,对照组40例急性心肌梗死患者采取常规急诊护理,试验组40例急性心肌梗死患者采取优化急诊护理干预。比较对照组与试验组急性心肌梗死患者组间分诊评估时间、急救总时间、住院时间、救治成功率、护理满意度。结果经优化急诊护理的试验组急性心肌梗死患者的分诊评估、急救以及住院时间均少于对照组,护理满意度高于对照组(P<0.05)。另外,组间救治成功率比较(P>0.05)。结论急性心肌梗死患者抢救中运用优化急诊护理可以缩短患者抢救时间、提高抢救成功率。     

Rapid identification of nonblood sterile site broth cultures using the FilmArray blood culture identification panel

The FilmArray Blood Culture Identification Panel was validated for nonblood sterile site specimens with clinical impact of rapid identification compared to conventional diagnostics. The panel accurately identified target organisms from 98% of positive broth cultures a median 1.1?day faster than conventional techniques (P?<?0.0001) with potential clinical impact in 22% of cases.     

综合护理干预对肺癌胸腔镜术后患者的影响

目的探讨对肺癌胸腔镜术后患者行综合护理干预对于并发症以及生存质量的临床影响。方法抽取到本院接受治疗的132例肺癌胸腔镜术后患者,研究时间为2017年1月—2018年12月,将其按照双盲法分成综合组和对照组,分别为66例患者。综合组行综合护理措施,对照组行常规护理措施,观察两组患者的临床资料,并且比较两组患者的并发症以及生存质量。结果综合组患者接受护理后并发症发生率3例(4.55%),明显低于对照组11例(16.67%),综合组生存质量评分均高于对照组,P<0.05。结论对肺癌胸腔镜术后患者行综合护理干预,降低并发症的发几率,提高了生存质量。     

Management of hip fracture in COVID-19 infected patients

Given that the global population of elderly individuals is expanding and the difficulty of recovery, hip fractures will be a huge challenge and a critical health issue for all of humanity. Although people have spent more time at home during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, hip fractures show no sign of abating. Extensive studies have shown that patients with hip fracture and COVID-19 have a multifold increase in mortality compared to those uninfected and a more complex clinical condition. At present, no detailed research has systematically analyzed the relationship between these two conditions and proposed a comprehensive solution. This article aims to systematically review the impact of COVID-19 on hip fracture and provide practical suggestions. We found that hip fracture patients with COVID-19 have higher mortality rates and more complicated clinical outcomes. Indirectly, COVID-19 prevents hip fracture patients from receiving regular medical treatment. With regard to the problems we encounter, we provide clinical recommendations based on existing research evidence and a clinical flowchart for the management of hip fracture patients who are COVID-19 positive. Our study will help clinicians adequately prepare in advance when dealing with such patients and optimize treatment decisions.     

Vulneración de derechos humanos en las movilizaciones de octubre de 2019 en Chile

Chile's October 2019 popular revolt has again made human rights violations visible in the context of mass mobilizations. In terms of damage to the population's health, multiple eye injuries produced by kinetic impact projectiles and tear bombs against people were reported, leading to an outbreak of unpublished eye injuries worldwide. There was excessive use of chemical weapons, and the totality of the chemicals used has not been transparent. The impact on mental health, especially of the population who lived during dictatorship in the 1970s, is uncertain and, health care was overwhelmed in the most vulnerable geographic areas. It is urgent to establish a timely and transparent system for monitoring such lesions and transparent all chemical compounds in tear-tearing and the composition of kinetic impact projectiles.