| |
|
Educational Overview
Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality for certain patient populations, including the immunocompromised and transplant recipients. The availability of newer antifungal agents with broad-spectrum activity and improved tolerability has encouraged increased usage of these agents in the prevention and treatment of IFIs. This practice has led to unforeseen consequences, including increased drug-acquisition costs and changes in epidemiological trends, such as a growing incidence of infections caused by less susceptible pathogens.
Antifungal stewardship efforts can improve the appropriate and effective use of antifungal agents. Recognizing risk factors can guide the optimal use of antifungal prophylaxis for at-risk patients. Advanced diagnostic techniques now allow early detection and identification of IFIs, thereby allowing initiation of treatment when it is most effective. Incorporating stewardship principles into clinical practice can maximize the efficient use of antifungals. In addition to the clinical benefits, stewardship tactics can reduce hospital and pharmacy costs associated with the use of these agents.
Effective implementation and utilization of stewardship strategies in the hospital setting will require a multiprofessional team approach, in which clinical pharmacists can play a leading role.
Target Audience
This activity is designed for health-system pharmacists on the frontline of managing patients with or at risk for invasive fungal infections.
Learning Objectives
After reviewing all 5 episodes of this activity, healthcare professionals will be able to:
- Evaluate patient risk factors to guide antifungal prophylactic use and selection
- Utilize results from diagnostic techniques to guide early antifungal selection
- Incorporate antifungal stewardship principles in the hospital setting
Educational Format
This online activity is based on the proceedings of a continuing education symposium held on December 7, 2010, during the 45th ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition in Anaheim, California.
This vodcast, through evidence-based presentations, faculty discussions, and interactive cases, will highlight the latest advances in clinical mycology. It will demonstrate benefits of antifungal stewardship principles and offer specific strategies for incorporating them in clinical practice.
This Vodcast (audio with accompanying slides) has 5 episodes which will be released weekly.
- Episode 1: Introduction with Clinical Case
- Episode 2: Optimized Antifungal Prophylaxis for At-Risk Patients
- Episode 3: Integrating Diagnostic Techniques to Guide Early Antifungal Selection
- Episode 4: Incorporating Antifungal Stewardship into Your Institution
- Episode 5: Interactive Case Discussion - Antifungal Stewardship
Note: If you have received credit for attending the live symposium by the same name, you are not eligible to apply for credit for this online version.
 |
|
Faculty
James S. Lewis, PharmD
Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Texas Health Sciences Center
Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Programs Manager
University Health System Department of Pharmacy
San Antonio, Texas |
 |
|
Russell E. Lewis, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS
Associate Professor
University of Houston College of Pharmacy
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist and Adjunct Associate Professor
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas |
 |
|
Pranatharthi H. Chandrasekar, MD
Professor of Medicine/Infectious Diseases
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Chief, Section of Infectious Diseases
Karmanos Cancer Institute
Detroit, Michigan |
 |
|
Debra A. Goff, PharmD, FCCP
Clinical Associate Professor
Infectious Disease Specialist
The Ohio State University Medical Center
Columbus, Ohio |
Accreditation
Center for Independent Healthcare Education (Center) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider for continuing pharmacy education. Center has assigned 2.0 contact hours (0.2 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy education credits for participating in this activity.
ACPE UAN: 473-999-11-004-H01-P
Activity type: Knowledge-based
Release Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Credit Expiration Date: July 10, 2012
For questions regarding the accreditation of this activity, please contact us at info@jointsponsor.com
Method of Participation and Instruction for Credit
- Review the entire CPE information including target audience, learning objectives, and disclosures.
- Review all five episodes in their entirety.
- Print and complete the Post Test, Evaluation, and Credit Application form.
- Mail the completed Post Test, Evaluation, and Credit Application form to
Vemco MedEd, 245 US Highway 22, Suite 304, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 or fax to (908) 235-4222.
- Post Test, Evaluation, and Credit Application Form will be available after the release of Episode 5.
- Please note that you have to receive a score of at least 70% on the Post Test to receive credit
Documentation of credit will be mailed within 4 weeks of receipt of the completed Post Test, Evaluation, and Credit Application form.
Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
Center for Independent Healthcare Education and Vemco MedEd require faculty, planners, and others who are in a position to control the content of continuing education activities to disclose to the audience any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the activity. All identified conflicts of interest are reviewed and resolved to ensure fair balance, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all activities. The faculty is further required to disclose discussion of off-label uses in their presentations.
Disclosure: Faculty
James S. Lewis, PharmD serves on the advisory boards for Pfizer, Astellas, Merck.He serves on speaker bureau for Astellas.
Pranatharthi H. Chandrasekar, MD receives grant/research support from Pfizer. He serves on speaker bureau for Astellas.
Debra A. Goff, PharmD serves on the advisory board for Astellas and has received research/grant support from Merck.
Russell E. Lewis, PharmD serves on the advisory boards for Astellas and Merck and has received research/grant support from Merck.
Disclosure: Planning Committee
Employees of Center for Independent Healthcare Education and Vemco MedEd have
no relevant financial relationships to disclose. |
|
Disclosure: Off-Label Uses
During this activity, the following off-label use of antifungal agents will be discussed:
caspofungin and voriconazole for the prevention of invasive fungal infections.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this educational activity are those of the faculty and do not reflect the views of Center for Independent Healthcare Education (Center) and Vemco MedEd. This educational activity may discuss off-label and/or investigational uses and dosages for therapeutic products/procedures that have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Center and Vemco MedEd do not recommend the use of any product/procedure outside of the labeled indications. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product/procedure discussed. Clinicians should verify all information and data before treating patients or employing any therapies described in this continuing education activity. Please refer to the prescribing information for each product/procedure for approved indication, contraindications, and warnings.
Fee: There is no fee to participate in this activity.
Hardware/Software Requirements
Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari or Google Chrome with the QuickTime Plug-in Note: Please disable any "pop-up blocker" features.
Microsoft Windows PC or Apple Macintosh
Microsoft Windows Media Player, sound card, and speakers for listening to the audio files
Adobe® Reader version 7 or above to view PDF files (If you do not have Adobe® Reader, you can download it for free from Adobe.com)
Connection Speed
Cable, DSL, or better of at least 300 kbps
System Check
Please e-mail any questions or concerns to info@vemcomeded.com.
Copyright Statement
Copyright© 2011 Vemco MedEd, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Permission for accreditation use granted to Center for Independent Healthcare Education.
Privacy Policy
http://www.vemcomeded.com/privacy.asp
Sponsorship
This activity is jointly sponsored by
Center for Independent Healthcare Education and Vemco MedEd
 
Commercial Support
This activity is supported by an educational grant from
Astellas Pharma Global Development, Inc.
 |
| |
START ACTIVITY
Please note that you can participate in this activity in three ways:
- Subscribe to RSS feed
- View each episode on this website
- View each episode on your mobile device
By clicking on an Episode below, I acknowledge that I have read the entire CPE information.
|
|
|
|
