Delta Care Rx

🎙️ NEW Podcast Episode Alert 🌟 "What are hospice pharmacy deserts?" Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eEMdg4qt Delta Care Rx is excited to share the latest episode of #TCNtalks, featuring our President of Pharmacy Services, Drew Mihalyo, where he discusses this novel idea. Although 'pharmacy deserts’ may be a familiar term in the context of healthcare accessibility, the unique needs that hospice and palliative care organizations face not only underscore the urgency for solutions - but also magnify the existing challenges. 👉 Tune in to uncover insights why these organizations should be concerned about this growing phenomenon, as well as the importance of gaining a comprehensive approach and partner in rendering pharmaceutical care. #pharmacy #innovation #partnership #deltacarerx #stateserv #pharmacydeserts #hospicepharmacydeserts

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Come see us at the 2024 Rocky Mountain Care, Home Health, and Hospice Conference this week in Lone Tree, CO! We can't wait to talk to you about how we are #servingpeople across the country with our patient-focused management solution.

Happy National Nurses Week! 🎉👩⚕️👨⚕️ We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible nursing colleagues and partners (and beyond) for their unwavering dedication and compassionate care for our patients and their families. Your commitment and invaluable contributions make a difference every day. Thank you for all that you do!

⬇ Check this out! 🌟 https://lnkd.in/eFAzNEai

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🌟Optimizing Metronidazole Dosing for Hospice Patients🌟 Metronidazole (Flagyl; Pfizer), a commonly used antibiotic for anaerobic infections, traditionally administered three times a day (TID), has been associated with adverse effects like gastrointestinal upset and neuropathies. However, evidence suggests that less frequent dosing could mitigate these issues, making it particularly relevant for hospice patients who often have complex medication needs, frequent cases of polypharmacy, and may be more susceptible to adverse effects. Pharmacokinetic Rationale💊 : Metronidazole, a prodrug, exhibits high bioavailability and extensive distribution into bodily fluids and tissues. It undergoes hepatic metabolism, producing an active metabolite with a half-life comparable to the parent compound. Being concentration-dependent, its efficacy benefits from peak concentrations above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the infecting organism. Clinical Evidence Supporting BID Dosing ✍: Earl et al. (1986) demonstrated comparable peak serum concentrations between oral 400 mg BID and intravenous 500 mg BID administrations, with peak levels exceeding the MIC breakpoint for anaerobes. Soule et al. (2018) found no significant difference in clinical cure rates between TID and BID regimens for presumed anaerobic infections, indicating non-inferiority of the 12-hour regimen. Shah et al. (2021) observed no disparity in mortality between 8-hour and 12-hour dosing in bloodstream infections caused by anaerobes, further supporting BID dosing efficacy. Lloyd et al. (1994) showed no significant difference in postoperative complications between BID and TID dosing regimens, with fewer incidences of nausea in the BID group. Implications for Hospice Patients: BID dosing aligns with metronidazole's pharmacokinetic profile, potentially reducing adverse effects like nausea. Implementation of BID dosing could lead to reduced yearly antibiotic expenditure, benefiting healthcare systems. However, clinical data supporting BID dosing for C. difficile and CNS infections are lacking, suggesting caution in these cases. Conclusion: For hospice patients, optimizing metronidazole dosing to BID regimens offers a rational approach supported by pharmacokinetic principles and clinical data, potentially reducing adverse effects and healthcare costs. Clinicians should consider this dosing strategy, especially in infections where TID dosing may not confer additional benefit, while being cautious in cases lacking robust clinical evidence. 🔗 Links to check out below in the comments ⬇⬇⬇ #hospice #pharmacy #innovation #partnership #deltacarerx

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🌟 In hospice care, vulnerable populations like 👴👵 receive therapies aimed at enhancing their quality of life, yet these treatments carry an inherent risk of adverse drug events (ADEs). Common pain and symptom management 💊💊 used in the hospice space can be particularly “problematic” in terms of overlapping risk factors for adverse effects. Factors such as multimorbidity, physiological changes, and polypharmacy additionally render this susceptible demographic to medication-related complications. Prescribing cascades further exacerbate ADE risks, especially among patients with complex medical conditions. This phenomenon occurs where the prescribing of one medication leads to the onset of adverse effects, which are then mistakenly treated with additional medications. These subsequent medications may not be necessary if the original adverse effect was recognized as being caused by the initial medication. To add insult to injury, documentation errors and fragmented healthcare systems also compound the risks of adverse drug events within hospice settings. ✍❌ Adverse drug reactions in palliative and hospice care have largely been found to be moderate in severity and preventable, with gastrointestinal and neurological systems most commonly affected. 🤮😵 Antimicrobials, opioids, and anticoagulants have been identified as frequent causative agents. 🆎🤕 To mitigate ADEs, robust medication reconciliation processes at admission and ongoing education on medication management are imperative. Collaboration with pharmacists and alignment with patient goals of care are crucial in fostering safe medication practices and optimizing the hospice experience. Through interprofessional teamwork, we can positively impact quality scores, reduce hospice revocations, and lower emergency care utilization and rehospitalizations. 👨⚕️👩⚕️😎🤝 #hospice #pharmacy #innovation #partnership #deltacarerx 🔗 Links to check out below ⬇⬇⬇: ⭕ https://lnkd.in/ejXYEvd7. ⭕ Kose E, Nakagawa S, Niki K, Hashizume J, Kawazoe T, Suzuki N, Uchida M, Takase H. Pharmacist Interventions for Adverse Drug Reactions in Palliative Care: A Multicentre Pilot Study. Pharmazie. 2023 Aug 1;78(8):141-149. ⭕ Krumm L, Bausewein C, Rémi C. Drug Therapy Safety in Palliative Care-Pharmaceutical Analysis of Medication Processes in Palliative Care. Pharmacy (Basel). 2023 Oct 7;11(5):160. ⭕ O'Mahony D. STOPP/START criteria for potentially inappropriate medications/potential prescribing omissions in older people: origin and progress. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2020 Jan;13(1):15-22. ⭕ Herledan C, Cerfon MA, Baudouin A, Larbre V, Lattard C, Poletto N, Ranchon F, Rioufol C. Impact of pharmaceutical care interventions on multidisciplinary care of older patients with cancer: A systematic review. J Geriatr Oncol. 2023 May;14(4):101450.

Tomorrow, Wednesday February 28, StateServ is hosting Respiratory Therapy Director, Annie Newman RT, MEd, as she presents "Navigating Oxygen Use in Healthcare Settings," a CEU webinar dedicated to oxygen education and safety. Annie will explore critical information on oxygen use, storage, and safety protocols with assistance from Manager of Client Services, Elizabeth Franklin. We are looking forward to learning more! You can register to join us by heading to www.dme.expert/CEUWebinar