Pharmacist involvement in blood culture follow up for patients discharged from the emergency department.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the time to attempted patient contact for positive blood cultures in patients discharged from the Emergency Department (ED) resulting when an Emergency Medicine (EM) pharmacist is on-duty compared to off-duty. METHODS: This single center, retrospective study included patients who were discharged from the ED and had subsequent positive blood cultures. Blood cultures were reviewed utilizing an algorithm previously approved and implemented by an interdisciplinary team in 2016. Standard practice was for the microbiology lab to notify the ED charge nurse of the positive blood culture, however, the algorithm placed the pharmacist as the responsible reviewer when on duty, leaving charge nurses and physicians as the responsible reviewers when a pharmacist was off duty and not on site. The primary outcome was time from ED notification of the positive gram stain of the blood culture to first attempted patient contact; we compared this outcome for cultures resulting when an EM pharmacist was on duty to those resulting when an EM pharmacist was off duty. Despite being off duty, a pharmacist may have reviewed these cultures if they remained unaddressed when the pharmacist returned on-site. In this case, the blood culture review was included in the off-duty cohort. Secondary outcomes included evaluation for appropriateness of the recommendation made to the patient during contact, 30-day infection-related readmission rates, patient's adherence to the recommendations, and barriers to patient contact. An infectious disease attending physician independently reviewed cases where the algorithm was not followed. RESULTS: A total of 127 patients identified by a query of our institution's database were screened against inclusion/exclusion criteria and 56 were excluded, leaving 71 patients for final analysis (54 and 17 in the on- and off-duty cohorts, respectively). Baseline demographics with respect to sex, age and risk factors for bacteremia were not different between groups, except there were more immunocompromised patients in the on-duty cohort (35.2%) compared to off-duty cohort (5.9%) [p = 0.01]. Median [IQR] time to first attempted patient contact was significantly shorter in the on-duty cohort at 0.8 h [0.4-2.8] vs 5.6 h [1.4-11.7] (p = 0.025). A pharmacist acted upon 93% of all cultures, including several resulting during off-duty hours. Secondary outcomes did not differ. Fourteen (25.9%) of on-duty cultures and six (35.3%) of off-duty cultures were deemed contaminants. Two recommendations in the off-duty group were inappropriate based on the infectious disease attending physician review. The lack of active voicemail was the main barrier to contacting a patient. CONCLUSIONS: In patients discharged from the ED with subsequent positive blood cultures, time to attempted patient contact was significantly shorter when a pharmacist was on-duty. Our data emphasizes the importance of having a standardized practice in place to optimize ED patient care and outcomes and the benefit of a pharmacist's involvement in the process.

Privileging pharmacists improves time to patient notification in the microbiological test review process for patients discharged from the emergency department.

PURPOSE: Results of a study evaluating the impact of privileging pharmacists to manage microbiologic test results for patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) are reported. METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective pre-post study that was conducted at an urban academic medical center. Patients discharged from the ED with a subsequent positive microbiologic test result before and after privileging of an ED specialty practice pharmacist (ED-SPP) to manage the results independently were screened for inclusion. Time to patient notification of a required change in antimicrobial therapy was compared between groups. Numbers of erroneous interventions before and after pharmacist privileging were compared to assess the safety of implementation. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-eight positive microbiologic test results (n = 92 pre- and n = 86 postimplementation) were included. The median time to patient notification in the pre-implementation group was 23.6 hours (range, 12.4-93 hours) and in the postimplementation group was 14.9 hours (range, 2.5-27.9 hours; P = 0.0023). As determined by the board-certified infectious disease physician, 1.1% of reviewed microbiologic test results (1 of 92) was erroneous prior to implementation of pharmacist privileging compared with 2.3% (2 of 86) after implementation (P = 0.6105). CONCLUSION: Privileging ED-SPPs to assess microbiologic test results improved the time to patient notification with no statistical difference in the number of erroneous interventions between groups. These findings demonstrate the benefit of clinical privileging and provide support for expansion of this role to other ED-SPPs.

Piperacillin/Tazobactam versus Tobramycin-Based Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Type III Open Fractures.

Background: Type III open fractures are associated with an infection rate as high as 50%. The optimal antibiotic for open fracture prophylaxis remains unclear, and the literature comparing the safety and efficacy of different antibiotic regimens is limited. The aim of this study was to compare the composite adverse events (AEs) in patients before and after a change in prophylactic antibiotic management for these injuries from a tobramycin- to a piperacillin/tazobactam-based regimen. Methods: This was a retrospective single-center cohort study of patients with Type III open fractures admitted from January 2010 to December 2016. Patients were included if they received either tobramycin plus cefazolin or clindamycin or piperacillin/tazobactam for fracture prophylaxis. The primary outcome was the rate of composite AEs, which included nephrotoxicity, surgical site infection (SSI), and hospital re-admission with surgical intervention. Secondary outcomes included the rate of SSI within 30 and 60 days after injury. Data were analyzed using the Student t-, Mann-Whitney U, and Fisher exact tests. Results: Eighty-five patients were included. There were 29 events in the tobramycin group compared with three in the piperacillin/tazobactam group. At 30 days, SSI had occurred in 17 patients (27.5%) in the tobramycin group and 1 patient (4.3%) in the piperacillin/tazobactam group (p = 0.033). At 60 days, SSI had occurred in three additional patients in the tobramycin group (p = 0.009). Conclusion: There was no difference in the composite AEs in the piperacillin/tazobactam compared with the tobramycin group. However, SSI within 30 and 60 days was significantly more common with tobramycin.

Impact of Paralytic Agent on Postintubation Sedation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the difference in the time to postintubation sedation between patients receiving etomidate and either succinylcholine or rocuronium in the prehospital setting. SETTING: Patients who received rapid sequence intubation medications from transport service personnel and were subsequently intubated were included. The critical care transport agency operates 8 helicopter- and 3 ground-based emergency medical service units. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study compared the time to the first sedative in patients intubated with etomidate and succinylcholine versus etomidate and rocuronium. Enrollment of 64 patients per arm was needed to achieve 80% power with a 2-tailed alpha of 0.05. RESULTS: Sixty-four and 38 patients received succinylcholine or rocuronium, respectively. The median time to postetomidate sedation was 10 (range, 5.0-16.0) and 13.5 (range, 7.0-20.8) minutes for succinylcholine and rocuronium patients, respectively (P = .13). Given the average duration of effect of etomidate, succinylcholine, and rocuronium, 0 (0%) succinylcholine versus 33 (86.8%) rocuronium patients were found to be at risk of wakeful paralysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests rocuronium's long duration of effect puts patients at risk for wakeful paralysis once the short effects of etomidate have subsided.

Evaluation of Pharmacist Impact on Culture Review Process for Patients Discharged From the Emergency Department.

Background: Accurate and timely review of microbiological test results is a core component of antimicrobial stewardship. There is documented success of these programs in the inpatient setting; however, emergency department (ED) patients are typically not included in these initiatives. Objectives: To assess the impact of an emergency medicine pharmacist (EMP)-facilitated review process of positive microbiological test results from patients discharged from the ED as measured by time to positive result review and number of indicated interventions completed. Methods: This was a retrospective study that compared EMP-facilitated to ED charge nurse (CN)-facilitated physician review of randomly selected positive microbiological test results. Groups were compared concurrently within the time frame of July 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. Results: One hundred seventy-eight positive microbiological test results were included (EMP, n = 91; CN, n = 87). The median (IQR) time to initial review was 3 (1.0-6.3) hours for the EMP and 2 (0.3-5.5) hours for the CN group (p = .35). Four percent (1/25) of indicated interventions were not completed in the EMP group versus 47% (14/30) in the CN group (p = .0004). Conclusion: An EMP was significantly less likely to miss an intervention when indicated with no difference in time to review of positive microbiological results. These findings support the role of the EMP in antimicrobial stewardship in the ED.

A national survey of emergency pharmacy practice in the United States.

PURPOSE: The results of a survey to characterize pharmacy practice in emergency department (ED) settings are reported. METHODS: An electronic survey was sent to all members of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists' Emergency Medicine Connect group and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy's Emergency Medicine Practice and Research Network. Approximately 400 nontrainee pharmacy practitioners were invited to participate in the survey, which was open for 30 days. Descriptive statistics were used for all analyses. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-three responses to the survey that were at least partially completed were received. After the removal of duplicate responses and null records, 187 survey responses were retained. The majority of respondents were from community hospitals (59.6%) or academic medical centers (36.1%). A pharmacist's presence in the ED of more than eight hours per day on weekdays and weekends was commonly reported (68.7% of respondents); 49.4% of institutions provided more than eight hours of coverage daily. Nearly one in three institutions (34.8%) provided no weekend ED staffing. The most frequently reported hours of coverage were during the 1 p.m.-midnight time frame. The distribution of ED pharmacist activities, by category, was as follows (data are median reported time commitments): clinical, 25% (interquartile range [IQR], 15-40%); emergency response, 15% (IQR, 10-20%); order processing, 15% (IQR, 5-25%); medication reconciliation/history-taking, 10% (IQR, 5-25%); teaching, 10% (IQR, 5-15%); administrative, 5% (IQR, 3-10%); and scholarly endeavors, 0% (IQR, 0-5%). CONCLUSION: Pharmacists from academic and community EDs perform a variety of clinical, educational, and administrative activities.

Characterization of drug overdoses in an Ohio incarcerated population.

CONTEXT: Literature exists about drug overdose following release of recently incarcerated individuals and mortality among prisoners in the United States, but little information exists about drug overdoses in the imprisoned population. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to quantify and describe prisoner medication overdose requiring inpatient admission or assessment at a tertiary care facility and to assess the associated hospital charges. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted on all Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction inmates who presented to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center with drug overdose between 15 October 2011 and 14 October 2014. Demographic information, overdose substances, exposure reason, clinical effects, lengths of stay, outcomes, and hospital charges were collected. RESULTS: Of the 130 patients included in the study, there were 100 intentional overdoses, 7 unintentional overdoses, 3 adverse drug reactions, and 20 unknown intentions. The most common drug in prisoner overdose was phenytoin (n = 29, 22%). While anticonvulsants were the most common drug class overall, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and cardiovascular medications accounted for equal numbers of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. Most patients exhibited multiple symptoms on arrival, most commonly neurologic, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients were seen from 21 of the 28 Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction facilities, of which five facilities, that largely house minimum and medium security prisoners, accounted for 61% of patients sent to our institution. The total sum of charges was $2,606,942 with 55% of charges from ICU stays. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that drug overdoses within our incarcerated population were largely intentional overdoses of anticonvulsants, cardiovascular drugs, and antidepressants. Opportunities exist to target intentional drug overdoses that accounted for 80% of prisoner overdoses for potential cost-savings.

Thromboembolic events during continuous vasopressin infusions: a retrospective evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Published guidelines suggest that vasopressin has a role in shock treatment, although its safety has not been adequately evaluated in a clinical setting. Vasopressin causes platelet aggregation and has been associated with the release of factor VIII coagulant and von Willebrand factor. OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with a diagnosis of shock who received vasopressin with those who did not receive vasopressin for hemodynamic support. METHODS: A retrospective, single-center, cohort study was conducted at an academic, tertiary care center with 350 patients with a diagnosis of shock. Patients from the intensive care unit were randomly selected and separated into 2 groups for comparison of those receiving only catecholamines with those receiving vasopressin with or without catecholamines for hypotension. Patients with diabetes insipidus or variceal hemorrhage and those with any documented history of VTE were excluded. The primary outcome, VTE occurrence, was defined as a positive Doppler ultrasound, spiral computed tomography, or documented diagnosis in the discharge records. Frequency and type of risk factors for VTE were compared between the 2 study arms. A risk factor modeling approach was performed, using logistic regression to identify potential confounders and effect modifiers in the relationship between vasopressin and VTE. RESULTS: There were 175 patients in each arm of the study. The crude incidence of VTE was 7.4% and 8% in the vasopressin and catecholamine groups, respectively (p = 0.84). No significant difference in the incidence of deep venous thrombosis (vasopressin 5.1%, control 7.4%; p = 0.51) or pulmonary embolism (vasopressin 2.3%, control 0.6%; p = 0.37) was found between groups. After adjusting for covariates, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of VTE between the 2 arms (p = 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: This investigation provides initial evidence that vasopressin infusions do not increase the risk of VTE in patients with shock.

Unlabeled uses of nebulized medications.

PURPOSE: The uses, dosing recommendations, benefits, and disadvantages of unlabeled drugs administered by nebulization are reviewed. SUMMARY: Nebulization is gaining popularity as a treatment alternative, and many drugs are used unlabeled in a nebulized form, including the opioids, lidocaine, magnesium sulfate, amphotericin B, and colistin. The opioids are frequently used to treat dyspnea in end-stage diseases. Common dosages include 1-2 mg every two hours as needed for hydromorphone and 25-50 microg every two hours for fentanyl citrate. Lidocaine can be used to relieve bronchoconstriction and cough symptoms as well as acting as a local anesthetic. It is typically given in a dose between 20 and 160 mg. Nebulized magnesium sulfate can be used in managing acute asthma and is given in dosages between 125 and 250 mg every 20 minutes, with no more than four consecutive doses. Nebulized amphotericin B can be used to prevent infections in immunocompromised patients. A typical amphotericin B regimen is 25 mg every 24 hours. Nebulized colistin is being studied in the prevention and treatment of gram-negative infections and in patients awaiting lung transplants. Colistin is often given as 75 mg every 12 hours to combat infections. CONCLUSION: Unlabeled nebulization of opioids, lidocaine, magnesium, amphotericin B, and colistin is an alternative method of treatment for patients with pulmonary problems or infections or for those undergoing bronchoscopy. More research is needed to develop guidelines for their use since nebulization may provide benefits to many patients who otherwise cannot be treated or would be at risk of systemic adverse effects of the drugs.

Epoetin alfa protocol and multidisciplinary blood-conservation program for critically ill patients.

PURPOSE: An evidence-based epoetin alfa protocol and a multidisciplinary blood-conservation program were implemented in a medical intensive care unit (MICU) and surgical intensive care unit (SICU). SUMMARY: Baseline data were collected to evaluate the use of epoetin alfa and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in our MICU and SICU. An evidence-based protocol for epoetin alfa use and a multidisciplinary blood-conservation program were designed, approved, and implemented. Preprotocol patients consisted of a convenience sample of 18 patients receiving epoetin alfa for various indications who were admitted to our MICU and SICU from January 1 to December 31, 2002. The postprotocol sample consisted of 40 patients who received epoetin alfa for the treatment of anemia due to critical illness who were admitted to the MICU and SICU from March 25 to May 23, 2003. Postprotocol data were collected and compared with baseline data. All patients seen in the MICU and SICU, during the postprotocol period, regardless of whether they were receiving epoetin alfa, were included in the multidisciplinary blood-conservation program. Postprotocol data showed statistically significant improvements in epoetin alfa dosing and monitoring and in the use of adjunctive therapy. Pharmacist-initiated blood-conservation strategies resulted in several blood-draw reductions and discontinuations. Statistically significant reductions in the number of RBC units transfused per patient and per intensive care unit (ICU) day were also observed. CONCLUSION: An epoetin alfa protocol and a multidisciplinary blood-conservation program contributed to rational prescribing of epoetin alfa and to a reduction in the number of RBC units transfused per patient and per ICU day.

Toxicity of Food Drug and Cosmetic Blue No. 1 dye in critically ill patients.

Food Drug and Cosmetic Blue No. 1 dye (FD&C Blue No. 1) is commonly added to enteral nutrition formulations in order to facilitate the detection of gastric aspirate in tracheal secretions of critically ill patients. However, reports of systemic blue dye absorption and associated adverse outcomes are emerging. We report two cases of abnormal systemic absorption of FD&C Blue No. 1 in critically ill patients who subsequently died of refractory shock and metabolic acidosis. Risk factors and mechanisms of FD&C Blue No. 1 toxicity are discussed, and alternate approaches to gastric aspiration detection in critically ill patients are considered.

Intrapleural alteplase in a patient with complicated pleural effusion.

OBJECTIVE: To report the intrapleural use of alteplase in a patient diagnosed with complicated pleural effusion (CPE). CASE SUMMARY: A 62-year-old white woman admitted with respiratory distress and hypotension developed a right-sided multi-loculated pleural effusion. Thoracentesis and chest tube drainage were not successful in resolving the effusion. In an attempt to increase the drainage of the pleural effusion, alteplase 16 mg was administered into the pleural cavity via the chest tube on 6 consecutive days. As a result, the volume drained from the patient's chest tube increased, there was improvement on the chest X-ray, and she did not require surgical intervention. DISCUSSION: While streptokinase and urokinase have been shown to be useful adjuncts to chest tube drainage in the treatment of complicated pleural effusion and empyema, there have been no reports on the use of intrapleural alteplase. This report demonstrates that intrapleural administration of alteplase is a useful adjunct to tube drainage in resolving CPE. CONCLUSIONS: This patient's CPE resolved when intrapleural alteplase was used as an adjunct to chest tube drainage and antibiotics. Controlled trials need to be conducted to investigate fully the efficacy, dosing, and safety of intrapleural alteplase in the treatment of patients with CPE and empyema.