June 7 Health Systems Readmission Rates Certain medications may affect ICU readmission risk PT June 2023 Increased patient morbidity and mortality as well as costs to the health care system are seen as a direct result of ICU readmissions after discharge. Ariel L. Clark, PharmD
July 7 Health Systems Guideline Updates Experts issue updates for managing lower GI bleeds PT July 2023 Lower gastrointestinal bleeds (LGIBs) account for approximately 250,000 emergency department (ED) visits annually and occur more often than upper gastrointestinal bleeds (UGIBs), according to the latest figures. Ariel L. Clark, PharmD
July 7 Health Systems Stem Cells New stem cell product answers unmet need for cancer patients without bone marrow match PT July 2023 In April 2023, FDA approved Omisirge (omidubicel-onlv–Gamida Cell Ltd.), a cell therapy derived from modified donor umbilical cord blood. Corey Diamond, PharmD
July 7 Health Systems Wellness Visits Pharmacists provide revenue, quality of care through AWV and CCM services PT July 2023 As physician practices try to meet outcomes required by new value-based payment models, pharmacists are being brought in to help them meet certain quality metrics. Loren Bonner
July 7 Health Systems Workforce Survey ASHP releases latest workforce survey results PT July 2023 In April 2023, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) released survey results about pharmacy workforce well-being in the hospital setting. Esther Boadi, PharmD
August 7 Health Systems Antimicrobial Resistance Antimicrobial susceptibility testing advances along with antimicrobial resistance threats PT August 2023 A recent paper, published February 24, 2023, in Pharmacotherapy, lays out the most up-to-date diagnostic stewardship—including education, communication, and interpretation—as it relates to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Loren Bonner
August 7 Health Systems Medication Cost Drug expenditures expected to increase in 2023 PT August 2023 Authors of a new report published in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy (AJHP) predict that over the next year, overall spending on prescription drugs will rise compared to 2022. Olivia C. Welter, PharmD