[Failure mode and effects analysis to improve quality in clinical trials]. / Análisis modal de fallos y efectos para mejorar la calidad en los ensayos clínicos.

INTRODUCTION: The failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) has been used as a tool in risk management and quality improvement. The objective of this study is to identify the weaknesses in processes in the clinical trials area, of a Pharmacy Department (PD) with great research activity, in order to improve the safety of the usual procedures. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team was created to analyse each of the critical points, identified as possible failure modes, in the development of clinical trial in the PD. For each failure mode, the possible cause and effect were identified, criticality was calculated using the risk priority number and the possible corrective actions were discussed. RESULTS: Six sub-processes were defined in the development of the clinical trials in PD. The FMEA identified 67 failure modes, being the dispensing and prescription/validation sub-processes the most likely to generate errors. All the improvement actions established in the AMFE were implemented in the Clinical Trials area. DISCUSSION: The FMEA is a useful tool in proactive risk management because it allows us to identify where we are making mistakes and analyze the causes that originate them, to prioritize and to adopt solutions to risk reduction. The FMEA improves process safety and quality in PD.

Decreased INR after acenocoumarol, ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir co-administration.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Limited data are available on co-administration of acenocoumarol with direct-acting antiviral agents for chronic hepatitis C virus infection. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of a patient who required a significant increase in acenocoumarol weekly dose probably due to an interaction with ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and/or dasabuvir. A causality assessment of the drug-drug interaction leading to a reduced INR was conducted according to the Naranjo algorithm. A score of 6 suggested that the adverse drug reaction was probable. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Because of possible INR abnormalities during the concomitant use of acenocoumarol, ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir, clinicians should closely monitor INR values.

[Systemic cytomegalovirus infection: changes in serum calcium and magnesium levels with foscarnet treatment]. / Infección sistémica por citomegalovirus: influencia del tratamiento con foscarnet en los niveles plasmáticos de calcio y magnesio.

Cytomegalovirus infection is common in cardiac transplant patients. Foscarnet is used, with limited evidence, as second-line treatment after ganciclovir failure in these patients. We describe the case of a paediatric cardiac transplant patient who developed electrolyte disturbances during foscarnet treatment for cytomegalovirus infection. The infection resolved after 6 weeks of treatment. Low ionized calcium and magnesium levels were observed during the drug infusion, which were treated with supplements. The serum levels reverted to normal after drug withdrawal.