Amanda G. Kennedy

Limitations of diabetes pharmacotherapy: results from the Vermont Diabetes Information System study

BackgroundThere are a wide variety of medications available for the treatment of hyperglycemia in diabetes, including some categories developed in recent years. The goals of this study were to describe the glycemic medication profiles in a cohort of adult patients enrolled in primary care, to compare the regimens with measures of glycemic control, and to describe potential contraindicated regimens.MethodsOne thousand and six subjects with diabetes cared for in community practices in the Northeast were interviewed at home at the time of enrollment in a trial of a diabetes decision support system. Laboratory data were obtained directly from the clinical laboratory. Current medications were obtained by direct observation of medication containers by a research assistant.ResultsThe median age of subjects was 63 years; 54% were female. The mean A1C was 7.1%, with 60% of subjects in excellent glycemic control (A1C < 7%). Ninety percent of patients were taking 2 or fewer medications for glycemic control, with a range of 0 to 4 medications. Insulin was used by 18%. As the number of diabetes medications increased from 0 to 4, the A1C increased from 6.5% to 9.2% (p < 0.001). The association between glycemic control and number of glycemic medications was confirmed using logistic regression, controlling for potential confounders. Almost 20% of subjects on metformin or thiazolidenediones had potential contraindications to these medications.ConclusionPatients with diabetes cared for in primary care are on a wide variety of medication combinations for glycemic control, though most are on two or fewer medications. A greater number of diabetes medications is associated with poorer glycemic control, reflecting the limitations of current pharmacotherapy. One quarter of patients are on glycemic medications with potential contraindications.

The effect of medication samples on self-reported prescribing practices: a statewide, cross-sectional survey.

BackgroundThe pharmaceutical industry spends billions of dollars annually to encourage clinicians to prescribe their medications. Small studies have demonstrated that one of the marketing strategies, the distribution of free sample medications, is associated with increased use of brand name medication over generic medication.ObjectivesTo determine the relationship between the presence of drug samples in primary care clinics and prescription of preferred drug treatments.DesignCross-sectional survey.ParticipantsPrimary care prescribers in the state of Vermont.Main MeasurementPrescribers were presented with two clinical vignettes and asked to provide the name of the medication they would prescribe in each case. We compared the responses of prescribers with and without samples in their clinics.Key ResultsTwo hundred six prescribers out of the total population of 631 returned the survey and met the eligibility criteria. Seventy-two percent of prescribers had sample closets in their clinics. Seventy percent of clinicians with samples would prescribe a thiazide diuretic for hypertension compared to 91% in those without samples (P < 0.01). For managing depression 91% of prescribers with samples would have provided a generic medication in a patient with no health insurance, compared to 100% of those without samples in their clinic (P = 0.02).ConclusionsClinicians with samples in their clinics were less likely to prescribe preferred medications for hypertension and depression.

Using nurses and office staff to report prescribing errors in primary care

Objective To implement a prescribing-error reporting system in primary care offices and analyze the reports. Design Descriptive analysis of a voluntary prescribing-error-reporting system Setting Seven primary care offices in Vermont, USA. Participants One hundred and three prescribers, managers, nurses and office staff. Intervention Nurses and office staff were asked to report all communications with community pharmacists regarding prescription problems. Main Outcome Measures All reports were classified by severity category, setting, error mode, prescription domain and error-producing conditions. Results All practices submitted reports, although reporting decreased by 3.6 reports per month (95% CI, −2.7 to −4.4, P < 0.001, by linear regression analysis). Two hundred and sixteen reports were submitted. Nearly 90% (142/165) of errors were severity Category B (errors that did not reach the patient) according to the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention Index for Categorizing Medication Errors. Nineteen errors reached the patient without causing harm (Category C); and 4 errors caused temporary harm requiring intervention (Category E). Errors involving strength were found in 30% of reports, including 23 prescriptions written for strengths not commercially available. Antidepressants, narcotics and antihypertensives were the most frequent drug classes reported. Participants completed an exit survey with a response rate of 84.5% (87/103). Nearly 90% (77/87) of respondents were willing to continue reporting after the study ended, however none of the participants currently submit reports. Conclusions Nurses and office staff are a valuable resource for reporting prescribing errors. However, without ongoing reminders, the reporting system is not sustainable.

A Modified Outpatient Prescription Form to Reduce Prescription Errors

BACKGROUND Given current knowledge of prescribing errors, standard paper prescription forms are inadequate for promoting high-quality outpatient prescriptions. A modified prescription form was designed and evaluated to reduce outpatient prescription errors. METHODS Eleven providers (nine physicians, two nurse practitioners) in an adult internal medicine clinic participated in a before-after trial of a modified paper prescription form. The modified form contained prompts for medication name, form, strength, dose, route, frequency, refills, quantity, indication, and additional directions. Writing the indication has face validity and has been recommended in the literature and has been useful in the practice. Providers used the modified prescription forms for one month. Prescriptions were reviewed using the records of the outpatient pharmacy located within the same building as the clinic. RESULTS A total of 443 prescriptions were reviewed during the study period; 150 (34%) were completed using modified forms. Pharmacists documented problems with 2.3% of prescriptions (9/293 standard and 1/150 modified). Modified prescription forms significantly reduced clinically important prescribing problems compared to standard forms (p = .007). Based on the legal requirements of a prescription, modified forms decreased omission errors compared to standard forms (p = .01). DISCUSSION Modified prescription forms reduced clinically important prescribing problems and prescription omission errors compared to standard forms.

Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial

Current treatment options for depression are limited by efficacy, cost, availability, side effects, and acceptability to patients. Several studies have looked at the association between magnesium and depression, yet its role in symptom management is unclear. The objective of this trial was to test whether supplementation with over-the-counter magnesium chloride improves symptoms of depression. An open-label, blocked, randomized, cross-over trial was carried out in outpatient primary care clinics on 126 adults (mean age 52; 38% male) diagnosed with and currently experiencing mild-to-moderate symptoms with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores of 5–19. The intervention was 6 weeks of active treatment (248 mg of elemental magnesium per day) compared to 6 weeks of control (no treatment). Assessments of depression symptoms were completed at bi-weekly phone calls. The primary outcome was the net difference in the change in depression symptoms from baseline to the end of each treatment period. Secondary outcomes included changes in anxiety symptoms as well as adherence to the supplement regimen, appearance of adverse effects, and intention to use magnesium supplements in the future. Between June 2015 and May 2016, 112 participants provided analyzable data. Consumption of magnesium chloride for 6 weeks resulted in a clinically significant net improvement in PHQ-9 scores of -6.0 points (CI -7.9, -4.2; P<0.001) and net improvement in Generalized Anxiety Disorders-7 scores of -4.5 points (CI -6.6, -2.4; P<0.001). Average adherence was 83% by pill count. The supplements were well tolerated and 61% of participants reported they would use magnesium in the future. Similar effects were observed regardless of age, gender, baseline severity of depression, baseline magnesium level, or use of antidepressant treatments. Effects were observed within two weeks. Magnesium is effective for mild-to-moderate depression in adults. It works quickly and is well tolerated without the need for close monitoring for toxicity.

Evaluation of a modified prescription form to address prescribing errors.

PURPOSE The impact of a modified paper prescription form on the occurrence of prescribing errors was evaluated. METHODS Rural primary care providers practicing in the United States who wrote paper prescriptions in English were eligible for study participation. The prescribers agreed to use only the prescription pads provided to them during the study. The study prescription pads contained 50 prescription forms, each with a duplicate. Each prescription and duplicate contained a unique serial number for data identification purposes. When a prescriber wrote a prescription, the original was provided to the patient per usual practice, and the duplicate was retained as the study data. Two prescription pads contained modified forms and two prescription pads were similar to the prescription pads the prescriber had been using. Providers completed 100 standard and 100 modified prescriptions. Pharmacist consultants reviewed each prescription for the presence or absence of errors. The primary outcome measure was the number of errors. Secondary outcomes were risk differences between standard and modified prescription forms for various error types. RESULTS Of the 327 prescribers who were eligible and expressed interest in the study, 111 started the study and 84 completed the study. A total of 16,061 prescriptions were eligible for analysis. Pharmacists identified at least one prescribing problem in 987 prescriptions (6.1%). Modified prescription forms were associated with significantly more prescribing problems than standard prescription forms (odds ratio, 1.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-2.2; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Modified prescription forms were associated with more errors than were standard prescription forms in a sample of rural prescribers.

A dictation system for reporting prescribing errors in community pharmacies

Objective To pilot and evaluate dictation as a novel method of reporting prescribing errors in community pharmacies.

Primer for nutritionists: Managing the side effects of antidepressants

Depression is a chronic disease affecting a significant portion of the U.S. POPULATION Due to the popularity of ADs most nutrition professionals working in the outpatient setting will encounter patients taking one of these medications. Nutritionist can assist patients in managing the short and long term side effects of ADs and, taking into account other nutritional issues, improve overall wellbeing of the patient. The objective of this paper is to identify what side effects nutritionists can help manage, provide the information necessary to help nutritionists feel comfortable assisting with that management, and, as a result, play a valuable role in the team that is vested in the health and wellbeing of the patient.

Perception of drug-name legibility by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians

Illegible prescriptions require pharmacists to clarify more than 150 million prescriptions annually and are a continuing source of potential error.[1][1] Computerized prescriber order entry (CPOE) holds promise in eliminating illegible prescriptions. However, only 21–32% of U.S. office practices

Awareness and Perceptions of Vermont’s Prescribed Product Gift Ban and Disclosure Law by Prescribers and Pharmacists:

Purpose: Vermont law strictly regulates the interactions between pharmaceutical manufacturers and health care providers, including gifts, meals, and medication samples. The purpose of this study was to describe providers’ awareness and perceptions of current requirements. Methods: An online survey was completed by Vermont providers, including prescribers and pharmacists. The survey asked providers about their awareness of 15 different legal requirements and about their level of agreement with these requirements. Results: Four hundred and eleven providers completed the survey (61% male, mean age 52 years, and 71% physicians). Awareness of the 15 requirements ranged from 28.4% to 93.8%. Most providers agreed or had no strong opinions. Responses at significance levels of P < .001 were noted in 8 of 15 requirements when perceptions were stratified by providers who had any interactions with pharmaceutical representatives in the past year (N = 227, 55.4%) versus providers who reported no interactions (N = 183; 44.6%). Conclusions: A high proportion of Vermont providers are unaware of the current law. Most agreed or had no strong opinions about the requirements; however, at least a quarter disagreed with banning small gifts and meals. Having any interaction with pharmaceutical representatives changed how providers perceived the requirements. These data may be useful for other states considering similar laws.