Melik, Razan El

Abstract Purpose To develop a pharmacist-driven, exploratory pharmacogenomics implementation model with the goal of creating a process for pharmacists to interpret pharmacogenomics results from RIGHT 10K Study samples and provide electronic consults to providers. Summary A train-the-trainer model program was initiated whereby pharmacogenomics pharmacists developed a documentation template and a quick reference guide as a standard guide to train other pharmacists. Pharmacists completed electronic consults (e-consults) reviewing pharmacogenomics results, with reference to drug-gene interactions, for patients with “semi-urgent” and “clinically actionable” results, defined as those indicating a potential for gene-drug interactions to cause major harm and those indicating a potential for an adverse drug reaction or reduced efficacy, respectively. Outcomes measured included the number of consults over time, number and role of pharmacists involved, average time to complete e-consults over time, and gene-drug pairs for semi-urgent consults per month. A total of 395 pharmacists were trained. The total number of e-consults completed was 2,843: 61 semi-urgent and 2,782 clinically actionable consults. The average time spent per consult was 24 minutes, and the average number of e-consults per pharmacist was 7. CYP2C19-clopidogrel was the most common gene-drug pair targeted in semi-urgent consults. Conclusion Pharmacy leaders planning to implement similar pharmacogenomics programs can utilize this data to estimate hiring needs for future pharmacogenomics implementation, while also considering the potential additional cost of developing resources.

AbstractBackgroundVenous thromboembolism (VTE) chemoprophylaxis in breast surgery remains controversial. In 2012, we instituted a practice change of routine chemoprophylaxis for patients with invasive cancer undergoing mastectomy. Herein, we report the effects of this on rates of VTE and hematoma.MethodsOur 30‐day rates of VTE and hematoma requiring reoperation among patients with mastectomy since the practice change were retrospectively collected from National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). The subsequent 5‐year data (2012‐2017) was compared with historic NSQIP data (2006‐2010). We utilized information from our 30‐day follow‐up databank to assess patients not sampled by NSQIP.ResultsAfter the practice change, the heparin prophylaxis rate rose from 19.5% to 95.6% (P < .001) and the VTE rate fell from 0.8% to 0% (P = .30). There was no significant change in reoperative hematoma rate (P = .39). The majority of the current NSQIP patient population (93.1%) had a Caprini score of 5 or greater. Among 663 patients obtained from 30‐day postoperative follow‐up, there were 2 VTE (0.3%) and 7 (1.1%) reoperations for hematoma.ConclusionsThe practice change resulted in an increase of VTE chemoprophylaxis without significant change in hematoma incidence. Although not statistically significant, VTE incidence decreased. This supports the use of standardized VTE chemoprophylaxis in this population and warrants further study.