Development of a quality measures tool for the utilization of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer: An integrated specialty pharmacy initiative.

BACKGROUND: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, commonly prescribed for non-small cell lung cancer, are efficacious but pose safety risks that can diminish quality of life. Quality measures to ensure appropriate utilization and monitoring of tyrosine kinase inhibitors are needed to reduce unnecessary healthcare costs and maximize therapeutic benefit. With integrated clinical and pharmaceutical care services, a health-system specialty pharmacy is the ideal setting for quality measures development. PURPOSE: The purpose of this initiative was to develop a tool to assess quality in the utilization of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer by engaging multiple key stakeholder perspectives to identify the fundamental elements of high-quality clinical and specialty pharmacy care. SUMMARY: Quality measures for the utilization of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer were developed by conducting package insert, guideline, and literature review followed by integrating feedback from key stakeholder groups through individual conversations and a structured assessment. The finalized guide assesses safety, efficacy, persistence, and patient-reported outcomes using defined clinical and specialty pharmacy measures. Most stakeholders agreed that the proposed measures were relevant as well as accurate and expressed support for implementation. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed tool provides a framework for specialty pharmacies to deliver quality care in the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Further work is needed to implement and validate this tool.

From natural disaster to pandemic: A health-system pharmacy rises to the challenge.

PURPOSE: This report describes a health-system pharmacy's response to a natural disaster while staff members simultaneously prepared for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. By detailing our experience, we hope to help other institutions that are current facing or could encounter similar crises. SUMMARY: In early March 2020, a tornado destroyed the health system's warehouse for storage of most clinical supplies, including personal protective equipment and fluids. The pharmacy purchasing team collaborated with suppliers and manufacturers to recover losses and establish alternative storage areas. Days later, the pharmacy department was forced to address the impending COVID-19 pandemic. Key elements of the COVID-19 response included reducing the potential for virus exposure for patients and staff; overcoming challenges in sourcing of staff, personal protective equipment, and medications; and changing care delivery practices to maintain high-quality patient care while maximizing social distancing. The pharmacy department also created distance learning opportunities for 70 pharmacy students on rotations. After an initial plan, ongoing needs include adjustment in patient care activities if significant staff losses occur, when and how to resume clinical activities, and how to best utilize the resources accumulated. Elements of practice changes implemented to reduce COVID-19 threats to patients and pharmacy personnel have proven beneficial and will be further evaluated for potential continuation. CONCLUSION: The pharmacy department's efforts to respond to a natural disaster and unprecedented pandemic have proven successful to this point and have illuminated several lessons, including the necessity of cohesive department communication, staff flexibility, prioritization of teamwork, and external collaboration.

Evaluating the Impact of Auto-Calculation Settings on Opioid Prescribing at an Academic Medical Center.

BACKGROUND: Overprescribing of opioids is a key contributor to the opioid epidemic, which has led to a substantial increase in overdose deaths. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the discontinuation of a dispense quantity automatic calculation function on prescribing of as needed (PRN) opioids. METHODS: During the implementation of a new electronic health record (EHR), Vanderbilt University Medical Center discontinued functionality that autocalculated the maximum needed dispense quantity for PRN outpatient prescription opioids. This study analyzed prescribing trends for immediate-release hydrocodone- and oxycodone-containing prescriptions 90 days before and after implementation of the new EHR. RESULTS: A total of 21,323 prescriptions were analyzed in the preintervention group and 22,730 prescriptions in the postintervention group. Discontinuing the autocalculation functionality resulted in a mean decrease of 1.4 dispense units per prescription (58.5 vs. 57.1; p = 0.006) across all patient care areas. The most significant finding was a 10.5% relative decrease in dispense units from inpatient discharge prescriptions (37.2 vs. 33.3; p < 0.001). In the new EHR, PRN oxycodone products defaulted to a dispense quantity of 30, which resulted in a 142.0% (10.0% vs. 24.2%; p < 0.001) increase in oxycodone prescriptions ordered for 30 dispense units but was a net reduction in the doses dispensed per oxycodone prescription. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that removing the autocalculation functionality reduced the number of opioid units ordered. In addition, using a default dispense quantity for PRN opioid prescriptions may decrease the number of opioid dispense units per prescription.