RESUMEN

PURPOSE: To describe the implementation of a pharmacy technician career ladder and internal technician training program at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL. SUMMARY: As the systems for providing care and receiving reimbursement become more complex, the ability to deliver comprehensive care in the most efficient and effective manner is critical. In order to maximize impact, pharmacists must practice at the top of their license. Recruitment and retention practices that support an optimized pharmacy technician workforce and continued expansion of technician roles are vital to advancement of pharmacy practice. This report describes the efforts to improve technician recruitment, professional development, and retention through the implementation of a technician career ladder and internal training program. The programs contributed to a reduction in technician rolling 12-month turnover rates from 26.72% in July 2015 to 13.1% in March 2023 (a reduction of 51%). Overtime hours as a percentage of total hours worked were reduced from 11.02% in July 2015 to 4.54% in March 2023 (a reduction of 59%). Improvements were noted in pharmacy technician job satisfaction, as evidenced by key employee engagement indicators including responses to the posed statement "Overall, I am a satisfied employee," with a mean score of 3.32 (on a scale of 1-5) in 2015 as compared to 4.2 in 2019 (a 21% increase). CONCLUSION: Implementation of a pharmacy technician career ladder and technician training program creates a sustainable and effective recruitment and retention pathway that may favorably impact technician job satisfaction, turnover, and career development opportunities.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: In 2020, a list of Key Potentially Inappropriate Drugs in Pediatrics, known as the "KIDs List," was published. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate institutional compliance with the -recommendations in this publication and identify areas for improvement. METHODS: Medications in the KIDs List were compared to the institutional formulary at a large academic medical center caring for pediatric and adult patients. Medications listed in the formulary were then -evaluated for order comments and restrictions related to their use in pediatric patients. Oral liquid products and a group of commonly used intravenous (IV) medications were reviewed for potentially inappropriate excipients through available manufacturer information. The pediatric clinical specialists were then solicited to review and make recommendations for medications that had not been addressed. RESULTS: Of the 67 medications or classes listed in the KIDs List, 47 (70.1%) of the medications are listed in our formulary and available for use. Of these 47 medications, 4 (8.5%) included warnings related to their use in pediatric patients. Of the 270 oral liquid medications reviewed, 206 (76.3%) contained at least 1 -potentially inappropriate excipient. Of the 20 commonly used IV medications, 3 (15%) contained at least 1 potentially inappropriate excipient. CONCLUSIONS: This review found that many medications listed in the KIDs List are included in our -institution's formulary and that few have warnings for pediatric patients built into the institutional electronic health record. Further review of medications in the formulary will be conducted to determine the next steps to implementing KIDs List recommendations.

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare hospital length of stay and rate of infectious complications in children with perforated appendicitis based on the postoperative antibiotic administered. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of children with perforated appendicitis who underwent an appendectomy at a large academic medical center from 2008 to 2013. The primary outcome was hospital length of stay. The secondary outcomes were rates of abscess formation, wound infection, and 30-day readmissions. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-three patients were included. Sixty-six patients (53%) were administered ceftriaxone and metronidazole once daily; 57 (47%) were administered other antibiotic regimens, which consisted of single, double, or triple antibiotic therapy with a beta-lactam backbone. There was no difference between the groups in terms of postoperative length of stay (5.7 versus 5.8 days, p = 0.83), postoperative abscess rate (8% versus 4%, p = 0.57), postoperative wound infection rate (5% versus 2%, p = 0.73), and 30-day readmissions (3% versus 11%, p = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: While there was no statistically significant difierence in the outcomes evaluated, the rate of infectious complications was twofold higher in those given ceftriaxone and metronidazole than in others. A larger prospective randomized controlled trial is warranted to better understand the risks of using these agents.