Assessment and Application of the Hear Score in Remote Emergency Medicine Outposts in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Background and Objectives. In emergency departments, chest pain is a common concern, highlighting the critical importance of distinguishing between acute coronary syndrome and other potential causes. Our research aimed to introduce and implement the HEAR score, specifically, in remote emergency outposts in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Materials and Methods. This follow-up study conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort consisting of patients who were admitted to the remote emergency medicine outposts in Canton Sarajevo and Zenica from 1 November to 31 December 2023. Results. This study comprised 103 (12.9%) patients with low-risk HEAR scores and 338 (83.8%) with high-risk HEAR scores, primarily female (221, 56.9%), with a mean age of 63.5 ± 11.2). Patients with low-risk HEAR scores were significantly younger (50.5 ± 15.6 vs. 65.9 ± 12.1), had fewer smokers (p < 0.05), and exhibited a lower incidence of cardiovascular risk factors compared to those with high-risk HEAR scores. Low-risk HEAR score for prediction of AMI had a sensitivity of 97.1% (95% CI 89.9-99.6%); specificity of 27.3% (95% CI 22.8-32.1%); PPV of 19.82% (95% CI 18.67-21.03%), and NPV of 98.08% (95% CI 92.80-99.51%). Within 30 days of the admission to the emergency department outpost, out of all 441 patients, 100 (22.7%) were diagnosed with MACE, with AMI 69 (15.6%), 3 deaths (0.7%), 6 (1.4%) had a CABG, and 22 (4.9%) underwent PCI. A low-risk HEAR score had a sensitivity of 97.0% (95% CI 91.7-99.4%) and specificity of 27.3% (95% CI 22.8-32.1%); PPV of 25.5% (95% CI 25.59-28.37%); NPV of 97.14% (95% CI 91.68-99.06%) for 30-day MACE. Conclusions. In conclusion, the outcomes of this study align with existing research, underscoring the effectiveness of the HEAR score in risk stratification for patients with chest pain. In practical terms, the implementation of the HEAR score in clinical decision-making processes holds significant promise.

Pharmacists' Attitudes and Role in Diabetes Management in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic diseases worldwide and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. International standards for diabetes care have recognized the crucial role of pharmacists in diabetes management. Community pharmacists can provide services beyond medication dispensing inducing patient identification, assessment, education, referral, monitoring and behavioral counseling. Pharmacists' attitudes toward diabetes are generally positive but do not correlate with the degree of their involvement in diabetes management and frequency of providing diabetes-related services varied throughout countries. AIM: To measure pharmacists' attitude toward diabetes management and to identify pharmacy services that are currently provided to patients with diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional survey-based study among pharmacists from Bosnia and Herzegovina attending on of the conferences in May 2018. Majority of pharmacist attending such conferences are from community pharmacies across the whole country considering surveyed sample was representative. The questionnaire contained 3 different sections: a) participants' demographics, b) measured participants' attitude toward diabetes using the DAS-3 to measure participants' degree of agreement to 33 diabetes-related statements, on a 5-point Likert type scale and c) a list of possible diabetes patient support activities that could be delivered by pharmacists based on authors experience and available literature. RESULTS: The majority of respondents (86,5%) were female and 53,8% work in private owned pharmacies. Interest in diabetes was indicated by 94,2% while 59,6% completed special diabetes continuing education in the past. All the respondents expressed positive attitudes in all DAS-3 with no significant difference between overall DAS-3 and subscale values. Provided services differ but mainly drug oriented and partially include comorbidity counseling. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists had positive attitudes toward diabetes but they provided limited diabetes-related services to patients. Additional special education is needed.

Budget Impact of Introducing Linagliptin into Bosnia and Herzegovina Health Insurance Drug Reimbursement List in 2016-2018.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes is reaching epidemiological scales worldwide. Beside health implications diabetes bears significant financial impact on health systems. Different treatment options aiming to prevent diabetes complications are available. Dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV (DPP-4) inhibitors like linagliptin are usually add-on therapy to metformin in order to achieve glycemic control. Expenditure for oral antidiabetic medicines in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) is low accounting for only 2.53% of the total drug market expenditure. Linagliptin is not reimbursed in B&H mainly due to it's perception of high cost medication. AIM: To assess budget impact (BI) of introducing linagliptin into health insurance reimbursement list in B&H through development of the budget impact model (BIM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Budget impact model was developed using Microsoft Excel 2010 based on current legislation and practice in B&H. Local epidemiology data and data on drug consumption from government reports in 2014 were used. Two scenarios with three-year time horizon have been developed: 1) without and 2) with linagliptin reimbursed and compared. RESULTS: Inclusion of linagliptin into reimbursement list in Canton Sarajevo and Canton Tuzla would have positive budget impact on national level of B&H resulting in total savings of 18,194€, 235,570€ and 699,472€, in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. CONCLUSION: Introduction of linagliptin into reimbursement list would decrease total costs for DPP-4 inhibitors and is favorable for positive decision on reimbursement in B&H. Applying BIM in decision making would assure better allocation and planning of resources at any region or administrative level in B&H.