The aim of the present paper is to evaluate the Malaysian Toxicological Database (MyToxData), a newly developed system for toxicological data management. MyToxData is a local system for collection of case reporting and toxicity statistics as well as its database of chemical products and toxicity information. An online questionnaire using JotForm was distributed among healthcare professionals in Malaysian hospitals. The participants were asked to perform tasks on MyToxData system before rating their satisfaction experience. The questionnaire was adopted from previous literature and comprised 12 items, each having a five-point scale that ranged from Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree. The collected data were then analysed using the SPSS software package. Based on the results, the satisfaction testing showed a high satisfaction score for the login at 95.7% and case registration and toxicological/poisoning case notification at 65.2%. The poisoning substance identification component received a 78.2% agreement on the usefulness with a very high acceptance of 91.3% on the treatment and clinical information retrieval made available on the system. One sample t-test found that all constructs for the satisfaction testing of MyToxData, namely, accuracy, content, ease of use, format and timeliness, were significant. The higher acceptance by healthcare professionals on the satisfaction testing of MyToxData has identified the effectiveness of the development and subsequent usage of a dedicated system for toxicological data management.

INTRODUCTIONAlthough heart failure (HF) management is available at primary and secondary care facilities in Malaysia, the optimisation of drug therapy is still suboptimal. Although pharmacists can help bridge the gap in optimising HF therapy, pharmacists in Malaysia currently do not manage and titrate HF pharmacotherapy. The aim of this study was to develop treatment algorithms and monitoring protocols for angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers and spironolactone based on extensive literature review for validation and utilization by pharmacists involved in HF management.

METHODSA Delphi survey involving 32 panellists, from private and government hospitals that provide cardiac services in Malaysia, was conducted to obtain a consensus opinion on the treatment protocols. The panellists completed two rounds of self-administered questionnaires to determine their level of agreement with all the components in the protocols.

RESULTSConsensus agreement was achieved for most of the sections of the protocols for the four classes of drugs. Panellists' opinions were taken into consideration when amending the components of the protocols that did not achieve consensus opinion. Full consensus agreement was achieved with the second survey conducted, enabling the finalisation of the drug titration protocols.

CONCLUSIONThe resulting validated HF titration protocols can be used as a guide for pharmacists when recommending the initiation and titration of HF drug therapy in daily clinical practice. Recommendations should be made in collaboration with the patient's treating physician, with concomitant monitoring of patient's response to the drugs.

Algorithms ; Delphi Technique ; Disease Management ; Guideline Adherence ; Heart Failure ; therapy ; Humans