Sandra S. Axtell, PharmD, BCPS

Contact

6801 Mayfield Road, Bldg 2, Suite 400
Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124
Phone: 440-312-5396
Email: saxtell@ccf.org

Clinical Specialist at Hillcrest Hospital since 2001

Education

  • Doctor of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
  • Pharmacy Practice Residency, Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, NY
  • Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist
  • Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist
  • Diabetes Care Certificate Training for Pharmacists
  • Delivering MTM Services Certificate Training for Pharmacists

Areas of Interest

  • Ambulatory Care- Internal Medicine/Family Medicine/Chronic Care
  • Drug Information
  • Transitions of Care
  • Diabetes Management/ Continuous glucose monitoring

Current Projects

  • Ambulatory Care Services with Internal Medicine /Family Medicine
  • Ambulatory Care Services with Chronic Care- Anticoagulation, CHF
  • Evaluating impact of pharmacist management of diabetes on A1C results
  • Evaluating impact of pharmacist visits on Transitional Care Management
  • Development of an outpatient TCM service, CHF Clinic, Asthma/COPD Clinic

Service

  • PGY-2 Residency Program Director- Ambulatory Care
  • Residency Preceptor/Resident Development Committee member
  • Residency Structure Committee member
  • OCCP Communications Committee member
  • ACCP/ACSAP Cardiology Care- DOAC use, Certified Practice Reviewer 2022-2023
  • ACCP/ASHP Ambulatory Care Preparatory Review and Recertification Course 2022 Module 6 Infectious Diseases I/II, Dermatology, Nephrology Field Tester 3/2022
  • ACCP/ASHP Ambulatory Care Preparatory Review and Recertification Course 2022 Module Ob/Gyn Field Tester 4/2022
  • ACCP Ambulatory Care Self-Assessment Program (ACSAP) Pilot Tester 1/2022- Book 1 Pulmonary Care Module 3
  • Primary Preceptor for PGY2 Amb Care resident project- Effect of pharmacist involvement in discharge transitions of care on hospital readmission rates
  • Secondary Preceptor for PGY2 Amb Care MUE- Impact of GLP-1 RA therapy on weight loss in Type 2 diabetes
  • ACCP Poster Judge- Ambulatory Care Virtual Poster Symposium- 10/2020, and 5/2021
  • Moderator for Resident Presentations- OCCP Fall 2019 Meeting, Warrensville Heights, OH
  • Primary preceptor for PGY1 resident projects: Research- Pharmacist Impact on Hypertension Management 2020, MUE SGLT-2 Inhibitors 2018, Research- Pharmacist Impact on TCM visits 2018, MUE Sliding Scale Insulin Usage 2013
  • Secondary preceptor for PGY1 resident projects: MUE Diltiazem 2019, MUE Daptomycin 2017, MUE Apixaban 2016, Research- IV to PO conversion 2015, Research- Rivaroxaban after Orthopedic Surgery 2014.
  • Reviewer- OCCP clinical pearl articles for OCCP Fall Newsletter 2020 and Spring Newsletter 2021
  • ACCP Pharmacotherapy Self-Assessment Program (PSAP) 2018 Book 1, Module 4 (Infectious Disease) pilot tester
  • ACCP Pharmacotherapy Self-Assessment Program (PSAP) 2018 Book 3, Module 3 (Neurology/Psychiatry) pilot tester
  • Reviewer- Cleveland Clinic Center for Consumer Health Information (CCHI), a division of marketing. Serotonin syndrome A to Z health library article 2018
  • ACCP Pharmacotherapy Self-Assessment Program (PSAP) 2017 Book 1 (Endocrinology/Nephrology) pilot tester
  • Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee member
  • Ambulatory Care Practice committee member
  • Member of ACCP
  • Member of ACCP Ambulatory Care PRN
  • Member of ASHP
  • Member of CSHP
  • Member of OSHP
  • Member of OCCP

Teaching

  • Serve as preceptor for pharmacy residents for Longitudinal /Elective Ambulatory Care rotations
  • Serve as preceptor for Pharm.D. students from various pharmacy schools
  • Provide continuing education to nurses, pharmacists, and physicians at Hillcrest Hospital

Honors and Awards

  • Caregiver Excellence award 2021- Quality Metrics Data for Ambulatory Care Patients.
  • Quality Management President’s Award 2006- Medication management pharmacists and the hospital quality measures team.
  • Quality Management Silver award 2004 – Improving sedation and analgesia in critical care patients.
  • Quality Management Bronze award 2003 - Decreasing post-operative infection rates.

Publications

  • Pharmacist Hypertension Management Quality Review at an Ambulatory Care Clinic – Chonko K, Axtell, S, Mayzel B. J Pharm Technol. 2021;38(1):31-38.
  • Kuzma M, Axtell, S. Semaglutide (Rybelsus®): Oral GLP-1 Receptor Agonist for Treatment of Diabetes. OCCP newsletter 2021; 14:10-12.
  • Newell B, Axtell S. Beta-Blocker use in Patients with Severe CAD but No History of a Cardiac Event. OCCP Newsletter 2020;12:8-9.
  • Mayzel B, Axtell S, Richardson C, Link N. The Impact of Face-to-Face Pharmacist Transitional Care Management Visits on Medication-Related Problems. J Pharm Technol 2020; 1-7. https://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/DAXH7EA8KFHPKRRKVYUY/full https://doi.org/10.1177%2F8755122520905582
  • Newell B, Axtell S. What’s the mechanism of resistance (gene and effect) seen in Escherichia coli that induces resistance to piperacillin-tazobactam but retains susceptibility to cephalosporins? OSHP Blog November 2019. https://www.ohioshp.org/Blog/8103666
  • Mayzel B, Axtell S. Spironolactone’s role in resistant hypertension OCCP Newsletter 2019; 10:9.
  • Freibe M, Axtell S. What is the evidence to support the use of HMGCoA Inhibitors in the prevention of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in patients with Hepatitis C infections? OSHP Bulletin 2019; 39(2):2.
  • Mayzel B, Axtell S. Cannabidiol for Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet Syndrome: A new treatment option. OCCP Newsletter 2018; 9:9.
  • Kolenda M, Axtell S. Use of statin therapy in the elderly. OSHP Bulletin 2018; 38(4):4-5.
  • Johnston T, Axtell S. Urea for hyponatremia treatment in SIADH. OSHP Bulletin 2018; 38(1):4-5.
  • Delisle M, Axtell S. What are the long-term risks for continuing PPI treatment? OSHP Bulletin 2017; 37(1):5,8.
  • Walker K, Axtell S. What is the evidence to support the initiation of a GLP-1 receptor agonist over basal insulin when oral therapies have failed? OSHP Bulletin 2016; 36(6):4.
  • Herschman M, Rigelsky F, Axtell S.  A pilot study comparing hospital readmission rates in patients receiving rivaroxaban or enoxaparin after orthopedic surgery. P T 2016; 41(6):376-80.
  • Fink K, Axtell S. What drug combinations or patient characteristics increase risk of serotonin syndrome? OSHP Bulletin 2016; 36(1):4.
  • Herschman M, Axtell S. What patient population should receive aspirin for VTE prophylaxis after orthopedic surgery? OSHP Bulletin 2015; 35(5):4.
  • Funelli K, Axtell S. What is the most appropriate dosing of enoxaparin for pulmonary embolism? OCCP Newsletter 2015; 2:2-3.
  • Herschman M, Axtell S. Does metformin require discontinuation prior to administration of all types of contrast media? OCCP Newsletter 2015; 2:5.
  • Pasternak A, Axtell S. What is the Risk of Developing Diabetes Mellitus (DM) while taking a Statin? OSHP Bulletin 2014; 34(6):4-5.
  • Sodhi M, Axtell SS, Callahan J, Shekar RJ.  Is it safe to use carbapenems in patients with a history of allergy to penicillin?  Antimicrob Chemother. 2004; 54(6):1155-7.
  • Axtell SS, Ludwig E, Lopez-Candales A.  Intervention to improve adherence to ACC/AHA     recommended adjunctive medications for the management of patients with an acute myocardial infarction. Clin Cardiol 2001; 24:114-8.
  • Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Contributing Authors Axtell S, et al. Professional’s Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines 2nd Edition. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse 2001.
  • Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Contributing Authors Axtell S, et al. Professional’s Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse 1999.
  • Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Contributing Authors Axtell S, et al. The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse 1999.

Poster Presentations

  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator. ACCP Annual Meeting, September 2022. Impact of GLP-1 RA therapy on weight loss in Type 2 diabetes.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator. OCCP Spring Meeting, June 2021. Pharmacist Hypertension Management Quality Review at an Ambulatory Care Clinic.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, Las Vegas, NV. December 2019. Use of intravenous diltiazem in a community hospital before and after a national drug shortage.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator. Vizient Conference, Las Vegas, NV. December 2019. Use of intravenous diltiazem in a community hospital before and after a national drug shortage.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator. OCCP Spring Meeting, Columbus, OH June 2019. The impact of face-to-face pharmacist transitional care management visits on medication-related problems.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator.  ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, Anaheim, CA December 2018. Renal dosing appropriateness and adverse drug reaction incidence for empagliflozin and canagliflozin.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator.  Vizient Conference, Anaheim, CA December 2018. Renal dosing appropriateness and adverse drug reaction incidence for empagliflozin and canagliflozin.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator.  ACCP Global Conference, Seattle, WA October 2018. Renal dosing appropriateness and adverse drug reaction incidence for empagliflozin and canagliflozin.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting December 2017. Orlando, FL. Review of daptomycin utilization for Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus spp. infections at a large health system.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator. Vizient Conference, Orlando, FL December 2017. Review of daptomycin utilization for Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus spp. infections at a large health system.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting December 2016.  Apixaban Usage in Atrial Fibrillation Patients in a 500-bed Tertiary Care Medical Facility.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator. OCCP Spring Meeting May 2015. A pilot study comparing hospital readmission rates in patients that received rivaroxaban versus enoxaparin following orthopedic surgery.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting December 2014. Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Sitagliptin Therapy in Hospitalized Patients in a Community-teaching Hospital.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator. OCCP Spring Meeting May 2014. Insulin Sliding Scale and Hypoglycemia in Non-Critical Patients.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator. ASHP Annual Clinical Meeting June 2013. Evaluation of Medication-Related Hypoglycemic Events in Non-Intensive Care Unit Patients.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting December 2005. Medication Management Pharmacist: Meeting the Quality Measures - One Year Later.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting December 2004. Medication Management Pharmacist: Meeting the Core Measures.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator. ACCP Annual Meeting October 2004. A Retrospective Drug Use Evaluation of Epoetin Alfa and Darbepoetin Alfa within the Cleveland Clinic Health System.
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting December 2003. Sedation and Analgesia for Mechanically Ventilated Critical Care Patients.
  • Axtell S, et al. Primary investigator. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting December 2002. Implementation of a Pharmacist Initiated IV to PO Automatic Conversion Program.
  • Axtell S, et al. Primary investigator. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting December 2001. Implementation of a Renal Dose Monitoring Program to Reduce Potential Adverse Drug Events.
  • Axtell S, et al. Primary investigator. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting December 2001. Management of Community Acquired Pneumonia: A Comparison between Two Hospitals.
  • Axtell S. Primary investigator. Eastern States Conference for Pharmacy Residents and Preceptors April 1999, Baltimore, MD. Improving Adherence to ACC/AHA Adjunctive Medicinal Therapy Guidelines for Patients with an Acute Myocardial Infarction
  • Axtell S, et al. Primary investigator. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting December 2000. A Drug Utilization Review of the Proton Pump Inhibitor Pantoprazole (Protonix).
  • Axtell S, et al. Co-investigator. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting December 1997. Defining a New Therapeutic Range for Heparin.

Lecture Presentations

  • Preceptor Development Topic Presenter- Enhance Learner Development, Flip the Discussion. January/February 2022, Hillcrest Hospital
  • Preceptor Development Topic Presenter-Behavior Review before the Residency Review, Primary Mentor Trap Door. November 2021/January 2022, Hillcrest Hospital
  • Preceptor Development Topic Presenter- Wellness in Experiential Practice. March 2021, Hillcrest Hospital.
  • PA/NP Grand Rounds- Type 2 Diabetes Hyperglycemia Management July 2020, Hillcrest Hospital
  • Preceptor Development Topic Presenter- Layer Learning, Unmotivated Learners, and Using Learners to Decrease Workload.  March 2019, Hillcrest Hospital
  • Preceptor Development Topic Presenter- Writing Meaningful Letters of Recommendation.  February 2019, Hillcrest Hospital
  • Preceptor Development Topic Presenter- Preceptor Development Requirements July 2018, Hillcrest Hospital
  • PA/NP Grand Rounds- Type 2 Diabetes Hyperglycemia Management July 2018, Hillcrest Hospital
  • Preceptor Development Topic Presenter- Learning Styles Overview November 2017, Hillcrest Hospital
  • Parkinson Disease- Pharmacy CE Program February 2013, Hillcrest Hospital.
  • Drug Information Resources- Pharmacy CE Program May 2012, Hillcrest Hospital.
  • Type 1 Diabetes- Pharmacy CE Program May 2012, Hillcrest Hospital.
  • Antibiotic Selection Guidelines, Pharmacist is In Program - 2003 and 2004 graduate nursing student lectures, South Pointe Hospital -Warrensville Heights, OH
  • Aminoglycoside and Vancomycin Dosing Guidelines- Pharmacy CE Program September 2003, Hillcrest Hospital.
  • Antibiotic Selection Guidelines, CSHP CE Program August 2003, Chesterland, OH.