Drug-related problems (DRP) cause preventable negative health outcomes, especially during hospital admissions. The aim of our study was to examine the prevalence and characteristics of DRP in regular clinical pharmacy, as well as to determine those factors associated with a higher risk of DRP in the hospital setting. We analyzed data from a standardized registry database of regular pharmacy practice (2015- 2016). DRP were classified according to the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe v6.2 classification. Cross-sectional data were obtained from 1602 adults admitted to medical wards. Crude and adjusted binary logistic regressions were performed to identify associations between potential risk factors and DRP. Overall DRP prevalence was high across medical specialties (45,1%), in a population characterized by advanced age, polypharmacy and multimorbidity. Problems leading to DRP were mainly classified into two domains (effectiveness and adverse reactions), being drug and dose selection the most frequent causes. Interventions were accepted and DRP were totally or partially solved in 74.1% and 4.81% of cases, respectively. In the adjusted model polypharmacy, allergies, BMI > 25 kg/m2 and clearance < 30 mL/min were associated with a higher risk of DRP. The participation of clinical pharmacists into multidisciplinary teams promotes the detection and solution of DRP. Polypharmacy, obesity, renal impairment and allergy are associated with a higher risk of DRP during admission.

Critically ill patients suffering from severe infections are prone to pathophysiological pharmacokinetic changes that are frequently associated with inadequate antibiotic serum concentrations. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the causative pathogens tend to be higher in intensive care units. Both pharmacokinetic changes and high antibiotic resistance likely jeopardize the efficacy of treatment. The use of extracorporeal circulation devices to support hemodynamic, respiratory, or renal failure enables pharmacokinetic changes and makes it even more difficult to achieve an adequate antibiotic dose. Besides a clinical response, antibiotic pharmacokinetic optimization is important to reduce the selection of strains resistant to common antibiotics. In this review, we summarize the present knowledge regarding pharmacokinetic changes in critically ill patients and we discuss the effects of extra-corporeal devices on antibiotic treatment together with potential solutions.

Background: Drug-related problems (DRPs) are a frequent reason for emergency departments (EDs) visits. However, data about the risk factors associated with EDs revisits are limited. Objective: To develop and validate a predictive model indicating the risk factors associated with EDs revisit within 30 days of the first visit. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving patients who attended an ED for DRPs related to cardiovascular drugs. A 30-day prediction model was created in a derivation cohort by logistic regression. An integer score proportional to the regression coefficient was assigned to the variables with P < .100 in the multivariate analysis. Results: 581 patients (mean age: 80.0 [12.6] years) were included, 133 (22.9%) revisited the ED within 30 days from discharge. Six factors (chronic kidney disease, chronic heart failure, visit to an ED in the preceding 3 months, high anticholinergic burden, DRPs associated with heparin, and safety-related DRPs) were identified as risk factors and combined into a final score, termed the DREAMER score. The model reached an area under the receiver operating curve values of 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.67-0.77) in the referral cohort and 0.71 (95% CI = 0.65-0.74) in the validation cohort ( P = .273). Three risk categories were generated, with the following scores and estimated risks: low risk (0-8 points): 11.6%; intermediate risk (9-14 points): 21.3%; and high risk (>14 points): 41.2%. Conclusion and Relevance: The DREAMER score identifies patients at high risk for ED revisit within 30 days from the first visit for a DRPs, being a useful tool to prioritize interventions on discharge.

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to gain insight into the characteristics and clinical impact of electronic monitoring devices of inhalers (EMDs) and their clinical interventions in adult patients with asthma or COPD. The search included PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Scopus and Embase databases, as well as official EMDs websites. We found eight observational studies and ten clinical trials, assessing a wide range of clinical outcomes. Results from the meta-analysis on adherence to inhalers in a period over three months were favourable in the EMD group (fixed effects model: SMD: 0.36 [0.25–0.48]; random effects model SMD: 0.41 [0.22–0.60]). An exploratory meta-analysis found an improvement in ACT score (fixed effect model SMD: 0.25 [0.11–0.39]; random effects model: SMD: 0.47 [−0.14–1.08]). Other clinical outcomes showed mixed results in the descriptive analyses. The findings of this review highlight the benefits of EMDs in the optimization of adherence to inhaled therapy as well as the potential interest in other clinical outcomes.