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Frontiers in Public Health 2023The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has prompted the exploration of new response strategies for such health contingencies in the near future. Over the last 15 years,...
BACKGROUND
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has prompted the exploration of new response strategies for such health contingencies in the near future. Over the last 15 years, several pharmacy-based immunization (PBI) strategies have emerged seeking to exploit the potential of pharmacies as immunization, medication sale, and rapid test centers. However, the participation of pharmacies during the last pandemic was very uneven from one country to another, suggesting a lack of consensus on the definition of their roles and gaps between the literature and practice.
PURPOSE
This study aimed to consolidate the current state of the literature on PBI, document its progress over time, and identify the gaps not yet addressed. Moreover, this study seeks to (i) provide new researchers with an overview of the studies on PBI and (ii) to inform both public health and private organization managers on the range of possible immunization models and strategies.
METHODOLOGY
A systematic review of scientific qualitative and quantitative studies on the most important scientific databases was conducted. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyzes guidelines were followed. Finally, this study discusses the trends, challenges, and limitations on the existing literature on PBI.
FINDINGS
Must studies concluded that PBI is a beneficial strategy for the population, particularly in terms of accessibility and territorial equity. However, the effectiveness of PBI is affected by the economic, political, and/or social context of the region. The collaboration between the public (government and health departments) and private (various pharmacy chains) sectors contributes to PBI's success.
ORIGINALITY
Unlike previous literature reviews on PBI that compiled qualitative and statistical studies, this study reviewed studies proposing mathematical optimization methods to approach PBI.
Topics: Humans; Pharmacies; COVID-19; Immunization; Vaccination; Pharmacy
PubMed: 37124782
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1152556 -
The Lancet. Infectious Diseases Sep 2023This mixed-method systemic review estimated the pooled prevalence of non-prescription antibiotic dispensing in community pharmacies worldwide and identified associated... (Review)
Review
This mixed-method systemic review estimated the pooled prevalence of non-prescription antibiotic dispensing in community pharmacies worldwide and identified associated factors influencing the practice. 162 studies covering 52 countries were included. The pooled prevalence of community pharmacy non-prescription antibiotic dispensing was 63·4% (95% CI 59·6-67·1). The prevalence was significantly higher in low-income countries than in high-income countries. Additionally, the situation of dispensing antibiotics without prescriptions has not improved over time in the past two decades. Quantitative studies showed that pharmacies located in poorer economic areas, pharmacy staff who were also the pharmacy owners, and private pharmacies were more likely to dispense non-prescription antibiotics. Qualitative findings suggested four major factors driving antibiotics being dispensed without a prescription. First, strong customer demand for non-prescription antibiotics and a lack of relevant knowledge; second, pharmacy staff motivated by financial or personal viewpoints; third, alternative health-care services being expensive or inconvenient, or having irregular prescribing practices; and finally, weak social, industry, and legal regulation. The current antibiotic stewardship needs to be strengthened.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Pharmacies; Drug Prescriptions; Community Pharmacy Services; Pharmacists
PubMed: 37105212
DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00130-5 -
Journal of the American Medical... Jun 2023To evaluate properties of psychotropic adverse drug event (ADE) monitoring tools intended for use in long-term care facilities. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate properties of psychotropic adverse drug event (ADE) monitoring tools intended for use in long-term care facilities.
DESIGN
Systematic review.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS
Adults aged 18 years and older in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
METHODS
Medline, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycInfo were searched from inception to August 2022 for studies reporting the development, validation, or application of tools to monitor psychotropic ADEs. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed independently by 2 authors. Each tool was assessed under the domains of test-retest reliability, interrater reliability, content validity, and construct validity.
RESULTS
Eight studies that described 6 tools were included. Tools were developed in Wales (n = 2), United States (n = 1), Ireland (n = 1), Canada (n = 1), and Singapore (n = 1). Tools monitored 4 to 95 items related to antipsychotics (n = 6 tools), antidepressants (n = 4), benzodiazepines or hypnotics (n = 4), antiepileptics (n = 4), and dementia medications (n = 1). Tools commonly monitored sedation, tiredness, or sleepiness (n = 6), falls (n = 4), and tremor or extrapyramidal symptoms (n = 4). Tools were designed for application by nurses (n = 4), during family conferences (n = 1), and by general medical practitioners before repeat prescribing (n = 1). Two tools were reported to require 10 to 60 minutes to administer. Four tools were determined to have adequate content validity and 2 tools adequate interrater reliability. No tools reported test-retest reliability or construct validity.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
Six published psychotropic ADE monitoring tools are heterogeneous in design and intended application. Existing tools are predominately designed for application by nurses with or without direct involvement of the wider multidisciplinary team. Further research is needed into models of care that facilitate psychotropic ADE monitoring in the long-term care facility setting, and the extent to which application of specific tools is associated with reduced medication-related harm.
Topics: Humans; Long-Term Care; Reproducibility of Results; Nursing Homes; Psychotropic Drugs; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
PubMed: 37037347
DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.03.003 -
Research in Social & Administrative... Jul 2023Decreasing the prevalence of antibiotic self-medication among the public requires proper understanding of the risk factors involved. However, the determinants of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Decreasing the prevalence of antibiotic self-medication among the public requires proper understanding of the risk factors involved. However, the determinants of antibiotic self-medication are not well defined.
OBJECTIVES
To identify patient and health system-related determinants of antibiotic self-medication among the public.
METHODS
A systematic review of quantitative observational studies and qualitative studies was undertaken. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched to identify studies on determinants of antibiotic self-medication. The data were analyzed using meta-analysis, descriptive analysis, and thematic analysis.
RESULTS
Sixty-eight studies were included in the review. From meta-analyses, male sex (pooled odds ratio [POR]: 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-1.75), lack of satisfaction with healthcare services/physicians (POR: 3.53, 95% CI: 2.26-4.75) were associated with antibiotic self-medication. In subgroup analysis, lower age was directly associated with self-medication in high-income countries (POR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.10-2.36). In low- and middle-income countries, people with greater knowledge of antibiotics were less likely to self-medicate (POR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.08-0.47). Patient-related determinants identified from descriptive and qualitative studies included previous experience with antibiotics and similar symptoms, perceived low severity of disease, intention to save time and get better quickly, cultural beliefs about curative power of antibiotics, advice from family/friends, and having home stock of antibiotics. Health system-related determinants included high cost of consulting physicians and low cost of self-medication, lack of access to physician/medical care, lack of trust/confidence in physicians, greater trust in pharmacists, long distance of physicians/healthcare facilities, long waiting time at healthcare facilities, easy access to antibiotics from pharmacies, and convenience associated with self-medication.
CONCLUSIONS
Patient and health system-related determinants are associated with antibiotic self-medication. Interventions to decrease antibiotic self-medication should incorporate community programs along with appropriate policies and healthcare reforms targeting these determinants with specific attention to population at high risk of self-medication.
Topics: Humans; Male; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Self Medication; Pharmacists; Health Services; Physicians
PubMed: 37019706
DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.03.009 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Feb 2023: With the increased prevalence of patients with cancer, the demand for preparing cytotoxic drugs was increased by health-system pharmacists. To reduce the workload and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
: With the increased prevalence of patients with cancer, the demand for preparing cytotoxic drugs was increased by health-system pharmacists. To reduce the workload and contamination of work areas in pharmacies, compounding robots preparing cytotoxic drugs have been introduced, and the use of the robots has been expanded in recent years. As reports on the comprehensive and quantitative evaluation of compounding robots remain lacking, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to provide descriptive and quantitative evaluations of the accuracy of preparing injectable cytotoxic drugs. : A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using published studies up to 2020. To identify eligible studies, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were used. All studies reporting the outcomes relevant to drug-compounding robots such as accuracy, safety, and drug contamination were included. Outcomes from included studies were descriptively summarized. Drug contamination by the robot was quantitatively analyzed using the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Studies (RoBANS). : A total of 14 compounding robot studies were eligible for review and 4 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Robotic compounding showed failure rates of 0.9-16.75%, while the accuracy range was set at 5%. Two studies reported that robotic compounding needed more time than manual compounding, two reported that robotic compounding needed less time, and one just reported preparation time without a control group. In a meta-analysis regarding the contamination of the compounding area, manual compounding was associated with lower contamination, although the result was not statistically significant (OR 4.251, 95% CI 0.439-51.772). For the contamination of infusion bags, the robot was associated with lower contamination (OR 0.176, 95% CI 0.084-0.365). : Robotic compounding showed better accuracy than manual compounding and, without control groups, showed a high accuracy rate and also reduced the risk of drug contamination and compounding workload. The preparation time of the robot was not consistent because the type of robot and introduced system were different. In conclusion, robotic compounding showed mixed results compared to the manual compounding of drugs, so the system should be introduced considering the risks and benefits of robots.
Topics: Humans; Robotic Surgical Procedures; Drug Compounding; Antineoplastic Agents; Robotics
PubMed: 36984432
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59030431 -
The Journal of Infection May 2023The clinical impact of rapid sample-to-answer "syndromic" multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for respiratory viruses is not clearly established. We... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
The clinical impact of rapid sample-to-answer "syndromic" multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for respiratory viruses is not clearly established. We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to evaluate this impact for patients with possible acute respiratory tract infection in the hospital setting.
METHODS
We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases from 2012 to present and conference proceedings from 2021 for studies comparing clinical impact outcomes between multiplex PCR testing and standard testing.
RESULTS
Twenty-seven studies with 17,321 patient encounters were included in this review. Rapid multiplex PCR testing was associated with a reduction of - 24.22 h (95% CI -28.70 to -19.74 h) in the time to results. Hospital length of stay was decreased by -0.82 days (95% CI -1.52 to -0.11 days). Among influenza positive patients, antivirals were more likely to be given (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.06-1.48) and appropriate infection control facility use was more common with rapid multiplex PCR testing (RR 1.55, 95% CI 1.16-2.07).
CONCLUSIONS
Our systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates a reduction in time to results and length of stay for patients overall along with improvements in appropriate antiviral and infection control management among influenza-positive patients. This evidence supports the routine use of rapid sample-to-answer multiplex PCR testing for respiratory viruses in the hospital setting.
Topics: Humans; Influenza, Human; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; Viruses; Respiratory Tract Infections; Antiviral Agents
PubMed: 36906153
DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.03.005 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Mar 2023Immersive virtual reality (IVR) applications are gaining popularity in health care education. They provide an uninterrupted, scaled environment capable of simulating the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Immersive virtual reality (IVR) applications are gaining popularity in health care education. They provide an uninterrupted, scaled environment capable of simulating the full magnitude of sensory stimuli present in busy health care settings and increase students' competence and confidence by providing them with accessible and repeatable learning opportunities in a fail-safe environment.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of IVR teaching on the learning outcomes and experiences of undergraduate health care students compared with other teaching methods.
METHODS
MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus were searched (last search on May 2022) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-experimental studies published in English between January 2000 and March 2022. The inclusion criteria were studies involving undergraduate students majoring in health care, IVR teaching, and evaluations of students' learning outcomes and experiences. The methodological validity of the studies was examined using the Joanna Briggs Institute standard critical appraisal instruments for RCTs or quasi-experimental studies. The findings were synthesized without a meta-analysis using vote counting as the synthesis metric. A binomial test with P<.05 was used to test for statistical significance using SPSS (version 28; IBM Corp). The overall quality of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool.
RESULTS
A total of 17 articles from 16 studies totaling 1787 participants conducted between 2007 and 2021 were included. The undergraduate students in the studies majored in medicine, nursing, rehabilitation, pharmacy, biomedicine, radiography, audiology, or stomatology. The IVR teaching domains included procedural training (13/16, 81%), anatomical knowledge (2/16, 12%), and orientation to the operating room setting (1/16, 6%). The quality of the 75% (12/16) of RCT studies was poor, with unclear descriptions of randomization, allocation concealment, and outcome assessor blinding procedures. The overall risk of bias was relatively low in the 25% (4/16) of quasi-experimental studies. A vote count showed that 60% (9/15; 95% CI 16.3%-67.7%; P=.61) of the studies identified similar learning outcomes between IVR teaching and other teaching approaches regardless of teaching domains. The vote count showed that 62% (8/13) of the studies favored using IVR as a teaching medium. The results of the binomial test (95% CI 34.9%-90%; P=.59) did not show a statistically significant difference. Low-level evidence was identified based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool.
CONCLUSIONS
This review found that undergraduate students had positive learning outcomes and experiences after engaging with IVR teaching, although the effects may be similar to those of other forms of virtual reality or conventional teaching methods. Given the identification of risk of bias and low level of the overall evidence, more studies with a larger sample size and robust study design are required to evaluate the effects of IVR teaching.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) CRD42022313706; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=313706.
Topics: Humans; Health Education; Learning; Pharmacies; Students
PubMed: 36877550
DOI: 10.2196/39989 -
Research in Social & Administrative... Jul 2023Pharmacists in the community are often among the first health professionals encountered by new arrivals. Their accessibility and the longevity of the relationship gives... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pharmacists in the community are often among the first health professionals encountered by new arrivals. Their accessibility and the longevity of the relationship gives pharmacy staff unique opportunities to work with migrants and refugees to meet their health needs. While the language, cultural and health literacy barriers that cause poorer health outcomes are well documented in medical literature, there is a need to validate the barriers to accessing pharmaceutical care and to identify facilitators for efficient care in the migrant/refugee patient-pharmacy staff interaction.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this scoping review was to investigate the barriers and facilitators that migrant and refugee populations experience when accessing pharmaceutical care in host countries.
METHODS
A comprehensive search of Medline, Emcare on Ovid, CINAHL and SCOPUS databases, guided by the PRISMA-ScR statement, was undertaken to identify the original research published in English between 1990 and December 2021. The studies were screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.
RESULTS
A total of 52 articles from around the world were included in this review. The studies revealed that the barriers to migrants and refugees accessing pharmaceutical care are well documented and include language, health literacy, unfamiliarity with health systems, and cultural beliefs and practises. Empirical evidence was less robust for facilitators, but suggested strategies included improvement of communication, medication review, community education and relationship building.
CONCLUSIONS
While barriers experienced are known, there is a lack of evidence for facilitators for provision of pharmaceutical care to refugees and migrants and poor uptake of available tools and resources. There is a need for further research to identify facilitators that are effective in improving access to pharmaceutical care and practical for implementation by pharmacies..
Topics: Humans; Refugees; Transients and Migrants; Communication; Language; Pharmaceutical Services; Health Services Accessibility
PubMed: 36868911
DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.02.016 -
Nutrients Feb 2023It is estimated that three to five million sports injuries occur worldwide each year. The highest incidence is reported during competition periods with mainly... (Review)
Review
It is estimated that three to five million sports injuries occur worldwide each year. The highest incidence is reported during competition periods with mainly affectation of the musculoskeletal tissue. For appropriate nutritional management and correct use of nutritional supplements, it is important to individualize based on clinical effects and know the adaptive response during the rehabilitation phase after a sports injury in athletes. Therefore, the aim of this PRISMA in Exercise, Rehabilitation, Sport Medicine and Sports Science PERSiST-based systematic integrative review was to perform an update on nutritional strategies during the rehabilitation phase of musculoskeletal injuries in elite athletes. After searching the following databases: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, PEDro, and Google Scholar, a total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria (Price Index: 66.6%). The risk of bias assessment for randomized controlled trials was performed using the RoB 2.0 tool while review articles were evaluated using the AMSTAR 2.0 items. Based on the main findings of the selected studies, nutritional strategies that benefit the rehabilitation process in injured athletes include balanced energy intake, and a high-protein and carbohydrate-rich diet. Supportive supervision should be provided to avoid low energy availability. The potential of supplementation with collagen, creatine monohydrate, omega-3 (fish oils), and vitamin D requires further research although the effects are quite promising. It is worth noting the lack of clinical research in injured athletes and the higher number of reviews in the last 10 years. After analyzing the current quantitative and non-quantitative evidence, we encourage researchers to conduct further clinical research studies evaluating doses of the discussed nutrients during the rehabilitation process to confirm findings, but also follow international guidelines at the time to review scientific literature.
Topics: Humans; Sports; Athletes; Dietary Supplements; Exercise; Athletic Injuries
PubMed: 36839176
DOI: 10.3390/nu15040819 -
Archives of Disease in Childhood Jul 2023Every year, medication errors harm children in hospitals. Ward rounds are a unique opportunity to bring information together and plan management. There is a need to...
OBJECTIVE
Every year, medication errors harm children in hospitals. Ward rounds are a unique opportunity to bring information together and plan management. There is a need to understand what strategies can improve medication safety on ward rounds. We systematically reviewed published interventions to improve prescribing and safety of medicines on ward rounds.
DESIGN
Systematic review of randomised controlled trials and observational studies.
SETTING
Studies examining inpatient ward rounds.
PATIENTS
Children and young people aged between 0 and 18 years old.
INTERVENTIONS
Any intervention or combination of interventions implemented that alters how paediatric ward rounds review inpatient medications.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Primary outcome was improvement in medication safety on paediatric ward rounds. This included reduction in prescribing error rates, healthcare professionals' opinions on prescribing and improvement in documentation on ward rounds.
RESULTS
Three studies were eligible for review. One examined the use of an acrostic, one the use of a checklist, and the other a use of a specific prescribing ward round involving a clinical pharmacist and doctor. None of the papers considered weight-based errors or demonstrated reductions in clinical harm. Reductions in prescribing errors were noted by the different interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
There are limited data on interventions to improve medication safety in paediatric ward rounds, with all published data being small scale, either quality improvement or audits, and locally derived/delivered. Good-quality interventional or robust quality improvement studies are required to improve medication safety on ward rounds.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022340201.
Topics: Humans; Child; Adolescent; Infant, Newborn; Infant; Child, Preschool; Hospitalization; Hospitals; Medication Errors; Quality Improvement; Pharmacists
PubMed: 36792347
DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2022-324772