Yacobucci, Matthew Publications

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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14303/478

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Time to complete oncology pharmacist tasks: A joint opinion of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association and American College of Clinical Pharmacy's Hematology/Oncology Practice and Research Network.
(Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, 2025-04-01) Griffin, Shawn P; Signorelli, Jessie; Raheem, Farah; Adler, Kristin; Benitez, Lydia L; Cheng, Rose M; Dotson, Emily; Fares, Marielle; Ganti, Beejal R; Hickey Zacholski, Erin; Lasko, Aubrey R; Lewallen, Amanda B; Lynch, Alia C; Paulic, Nikola; Quach, David; Vogel, Vishnuprabha; Yacobucci, Matt; Riebandt, Grazyna
Purpose: The time to complete oncology pharmacist tasks is needed to determine workload and productivity. The Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) and the Hematology/Oncology Practice and Research Network (PRN) of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) partnered with the aim of establishing consensus on the time required to complete oncology pharmacy tasks. Methods: Fifteen patient care tasks and 9 non-patient care tasks, commonly completed by oncology pharmacists were each assigned an average amount of time to be completed. This list was then converted into 24 statements and the Delphi survey method was utilized with an expert panel to arrive at consensus between December 2023 and February 2024. Consensus was defined as at least 75% agreement. The complete manuscript was endorsed by HOPA and ACCP Hematology/Oncology PRN. Results: Thirty-three pharmacist-experts agreed to participate in this survey with all participating in round 1, and 29 (87.9%) participating in round 2. In round 1, 9 tasks achieved consensus, with 7 of these being classified as patient care associated. Seven statements reaching 65% but less than 75% agreement were deemed to reach borderline consensus. Eight statements failed to achieve at least 65% agreement and were modified based on respondent feedback. In round 2, 15 statements were included with all achieving consensus. At the completion of round 2, all 24 statements reached consensus, and the survey was deemed complete. Conclusion: This project produced the first comprehensive consensus statements for the average time for a US-based oncology pharmacist to complete common patient and non-patient care-related tasks.
Evaluation of an Acute Care Pharmacotherapy Course on Pharmacy Student APPE Readiness and Post-Graduate Training
(American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 2023-08) Gerber, Morgan*; Yacobucci, Matthew J.; Zhou, Yi
Characterization and Impact of Pharmacy Student Participation on Hematology/Oncology Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences
(HOPA News, 2022) Yacobucci, Matthew; Briceland, Laurie L; Lombardi, Christina
Oncology pharmacists practice in varied settings including inpatient hospitals, ambulatory care clinics, infusion centers, specialty pharmacies, and investigational drug services. Within these settings, many oncology pharmacists offer an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE), providing student pharmacists the opportunity to participate in collaborative team-based patient care, patient education, and clinical guideline development. Literature characterizing the extent of participation and added value of APPE students to the oncology practice site, as well as the impact of the learning experience on the student pharmacist, is scarce. Two studies reported positive contributions of student pharmacists in assisting preceptors with oncology medication reconciliation or medication history-taking services. A survey of pharmacy practice department chairs reported that students on oncology rotations performed patient care work-ups, drug information requests, journal club presentations, and patient chemotherapy counseling. The value of student pharmacists’ contributions to patient care outcomes in diverse settings has been documented, though is lacking in the oncology setting.6-8 Documenting the full scope of activities and the associated value of the student to the practice site would provide useful information. Characterizing the professionalization impact of the student’s participation on oncology APPEs would provide equally useful information, as student pharmacists may enter the APPE lacking confidence in their abilities in the challenging oncology setting, and/or espousing preconceived notions that the rotation will be emotionally depressing and expose the student to dangerous chemicals.9,10 One study reported that student pharmacist learners in an oncology setting, upon participation in patient care services, gained a self-awareness of their purpose, and began to view themselves as a valuable health care team member, which furthered their professional identity formation.11 The purpose of our study of student pharmacist participation in hematology/oncology (hem-onc) APPEs was to characterize the scope of participation and impact of this participation upon the practice site, and upon student professionalization.
A retrospective observational study of a low fixed-dose rasburicase protocol for the treatment of tumor lysis syndrome in adults.
(Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, 6/11/2021) Hossain, Shahrier; Naber, Martha; Yacobucci, Matthew J
Introduction: Tumor lysis syndrome is an oncologic emergency characterized by hyperuricemia. Previous studies have demonstrated that a fixed-dose strategy of rasburicase is as effective as the FDA approved weight-based dose. Albany Medical Center employs rasburicase 1.5 mg in patients with a uric acid (UA) between 8 and 12 mg/dL and 3 mg for UA above12 mg/dL.We aimed to evaluate the UA lowering effectiveness and provider adherence to the institutional protocol, as well as the cost-efficiency of this dosing strategy. Methods: This is a single center, retrospective, cohort study. The electronic medical record was used to identify patients receiving rasburicase and to collect baseline demographic and laboratory data. The fixed-dose strategies of rasburicase 1.5 mg and 3 mg were compared in their degree of UA reduction and clinical outcomes. Cost-savings of fixed-dosing was compared to the FDA-approved weight-based dose. Results: Mean UA reduction in the 1.5 mg group (n = 49) from baseline to 24 hours was 2.88 ± 0.88 mg/dL (p < 0.0001) and 4.83 ± 1.39 mg/dL (p < 0.0001) in the 3 mg group (n = 105). A subgroup analysis of patients who received per protocol initial doses of rasburicase showed a mean reduction in UA from baseline to 24 hours of 2.83 ± 0.62 mg/dL in the 1.5 mg group (n = 42) and 6.12 ± 1.87 mg/dL in the 3 mg group (n = 42). Using a low fixed-dose approach resulted in a cost-savings of $138,077.30 annually. Conclusion: Low fixed-dose rasburicase was an effective treatment, with a dose of 1.5 mg being sufficient to reach a goal UA of less than 8 mg/dL for serum UA levels below 12 mg/dL, while a 3 mg dose is appropriate for levels above 12 mg/dL. Cost analysis indicates this strategy is more cost-efficient than the FDA-approved weight-based dose.
Exploring practice site contributions and professionalization impact of engaging student pharmacists on hematology-oncology advanced pharmacy practice experience rotations.
(Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, 1/20/2021) Yacobucci, Matthew J; Lombardi, Christina L; Briceland, Laurie L
Introduction: Student pharmacists contribute meaningfully to patient care during Advanced Practice Pharmacy Experiences (APPEs) in varied settings. We aimed to characterize and evaluate the impact of student participation in hematology-oncology (hem-onc) APPEs on the practice site, and on student professionalization. Methods: For students completing hem-onc APPEs during 2016-2019, rotation activities and post-APPE self-reflections describing meaningful impact were reviewed; activities were categorized into direct and indirect patient care, and up to three reflection themes of professionalization impact were extracted from each self-reflection. Hem-onc preceptor cohort was surveyed to assess impact of student contributions on the practice site. Results: 171 students completed hem-onc APPEs in ambulatory care (133) and/or inpatient (38) settings. Of 932 student-reported activities, the most common were: evaluating patient pharmacotherapy (209), providing education to medical staff (132), patient counseling [non-chemotherapy (99); chemotherapy (82)], and providing drug information (96); 89% involved direct patient care/education. Survey results from 16 of 33 preceptors identified the most impactful student activities as evaluating pharmacotherapy, medication education/adherence resources, and in-service presentations. Of 392 student self-reflections, themes of impact focused on professionalization/self-awareness (39.3%), counseling/communication skills (27.8%), practice skills development (20.4%) and collaborative teamwork (12.5%). Conclusion: Pharmacy students make significant direct patient care contributions to hem-onc practice settings by evaluating pharmacotherapy and providing education to patients and healthcare personnel. Participation in hem-onc APPEs is highly influential to the professionalization of students, particularly in developing skills in oncology practice, patient interactions/communications, and developing self-awareness.

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