SDSU pharmacy students present research at 2023 Midyear Clinical Meeting

Students from SDSU’s College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions presented posters at the 2023 Midyear Clinical Meeting of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). The 2023 meeting was held from Dec. 2-7. 

The ASHP Midyear Meeting is an annual gathering of more than 20,000 pharmacy students and professionals. Posters are presented by pharmacy professionals, residents, fellows and students on a variety of pharmacy-related topics. 

South Dakota State University was well represented with three posters presented from 13 SDSU pharmacy students. 

Provider education on antibiotic prescription for UTI 

The first poster, titled “Evaluation of Antimicrobial Stewardship for Urinary Tract Infections after Pharmacist-Led Provider Education,” was presented by Kaylee Ayers and Karly Blaalid. Faith Bader, Sara A. Smith and Tominee Sorenson were also listed as co-authors on the poster, alongside Jennifer Ball, their faculty preceptor. 

Ayers and Blaalid presented on work completed with the Center for Family Medicine related to proper antibiotic prescription and use for patients experiencing urinary tract infection (UTI). The study evaluated whether providing education on the most recent UTI guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America improved proper prescribing of antibiotics. Results of pre- and post-data analysis showed slight improvements in some areas, indicating educating providers on infections disease can improve proper antibiotic prescribing. 

According to Ayers, being involved in the project “significantly influenced my education and prospective career.” She specifically cited collaboration and exchanging ideas through the complexities of the project work as an invaluable learning experience. 

Ayers added that a highlight of presenting the work at ASHP was engaging in discussions about our research with individuals from various pharmacy specialties was particularly fascinating. Notably, emergency medicine pharmacists showed interest in our poster and shared their challenges related to over-prescribing in UTIs.” 

Approaches to treatment for pediatric clostridium difficile 

The second poster, titled “Evaluation of Clostridium Difficile Treatment in Pediatrics,” was presented by Ellie Balken, Allie Bladholm, Jaden Gossen and Tara Gilk. Anna Reicks and faculty preceptors Tadd Hellwig and Amy Heiberger were also listed as co-authors. 

According to Bladholm, “Our research was targeted at exploring pediatric clostridium difficile treatment recommendations as adult guidelines have been recently updated while pediatric guidelines have not." 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, clostridium difficile is an infection of the colon that affects almost half a million Americans each year. 

For Bladholm, working on the project “fostered collaborative learning and provided an opportunity for research exposure in a very safe environment.” She added that Hellwig and Heiberger were outstanding, noting that “excellent educators truly make all the difference.” 

Side effects of metoclopramide for certain patients 

The third poster was titled “Examining Extrapyramidal Side Effects in CYP2D6 Poor Versus Normal Metabolizers Receiving Metoclopramide” and was presented by Brianna Amundson and Ashley Hess. Sunniva Dunagan, Morgan Eick, Hyunki Oh, Tyler Weddle and Jordan Baye, their faculty preceptor, were also listed as co-authors.  

According to Hess, “Some of the side effects of metoclopramide are extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) like akathisia or dystonia, and this project found that patients who are classified as poor metabolizers of CYP2D6 experienced significantly more EPS symptoms compared to normal metabolizers.” 

In other words, their work indicated that patients who are genetically predisposed to poorly metabolize the CYP2D6 enzyme are more likely to experience EPS symptoms (which can include muscle spasms or restlessness) when given metoclopramide. 

“Completing this project allowed me to work through the entire research development process,” Hess said. “These experiences gave me a strong foundation in research that will allow me to develop a successful and publishable project as a pharmacy resident.” 

To learn more about SDSU’s pharmacy program and pharmacy student research opportunities.