Full Course Description

Pharmacology of Infectious Diseases & Immunizations for Advanced Practice Clinicians

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze the major classes of antibiotics and their pharmacokinetic characteristics.
Apply current evidenced-based approaches to select appropriate treatment regimens for common infections encountered in clinical practice.
Prescribe antimicrobials based on empiric dosing recommendations.
Plan goals of therapy and parameters for monitoring therapeutic response to antimicrobials.
Recommend specific antimicrobial therapeutic drug monitoring to maximize efficacy and minimize toxicities (e.g., vancomycin and aminoglycosides).
Develop preventative strategies to limit antimicrobial resistance.
Design patient and caregiver education on the proper use of antimicrobials.

Outline

Antimicrobials

Drug classes
Pharmacokinetic Properties
- Concentration-dependent killing
- Time-dependent killing
- Post-antibiotic effect
Common interactions with other drugs

Antibacterial Allergies - Sulfa and Penicillin

Define true allergy
Sulfonamide antibiotics vs non-antibiotics
Penicillin - Cephalosporin cross-sensitivity

Bacteria

Differentiation
Normal flora
Common pathogens

Antibacterial Resistance - Contributing Factors

Trends
Mechanisms of resistance
Contributing factors

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus - Community versus Hospital Acquired

Differentiating between CA- and HA-MRSA
Current clinical practice guidelines
Pharmacologic management

Enterobacteriaceae Resistance

Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)
- What are ESBLs
- Pharmacologic management
Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)
- What are CREs
- Pharmacologic management

Urinary Tract Infections

Bacterial Etiology, Signs and Symptoms and Diagnosis
Cystitis and pyelonephritis
Complicated and uncomplicated
UTIs in pregnancy
Treatment (IDSA Guideline Treatment Algorithm)
- Acute
- Recurrent and relapse

Clostridium Difficile Infection

Risk factors
Pharmacology management
Fecal Transplantation
Probiotics literature review

Community–Acquired Pneumonia

Bacterial etiology
Diagnosis
Typical vs. atypical
Treatment (IDSA/ATS Guidelines) and monitoring
- Outpatient vs. inpatient
- Empiric treatment

Healthcare–Associated Pneumonia

Bacterial etiology
Treatment (IDSA/ATS Guidelines)

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Sinusitis and pharyngitis
- Etiology (Viral vs. Bacterial)
- Treatment

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Cellulitis
Bacterial etiology
- Strep. vs. Staph. vs. MRSA
- Signs & symptoms
- Treatment (IDSA Guidelines)

Influenza

Clinical features
Diagnosis
Pharmacology management

Immunizations (Adult)

Types of Vaccines
General recommendations
Contraindications & precautions

Target Audience

Nurses
Advanced Practice Nurses
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Pharmacists
Nurse Practitioners
Physician Assistants

Copyright : 07/13/2020

Psychopharmacology for Advanced Practice Clinicians: Proven Strategies for Prescription Success

Program Information

Objectives

Distinguish ways to conceptualize psychiatric symptomatology outside the box.
Evaluate common medical conditions that you may inadvertently diagnose as psychiatric in nature.
Analyze the 4 main neurotransmitters and how their imbalance influences different psychiatric disorders.
Measure efficacy of the newer class of serotonin modulators to the other widely-used antidepressant classes.
Examine frequently asked questions regarding the impact of alcohol and marijuana for patients taking psychotropic medications.
Determine strategic ways to customize treatment plans based on your patient's individual needs.

Outline

Antidepressants

The many facets which impact depression such as neurotransmitter imbalances, life events, and environmental factors
History of antidepressants, in terms of safety and efficacy of treatments
Classes of antidepressants - MAOIs, TCAs, SSRIs, SNRIs, SDRIs, other antidepressants, and serotonin modulators

Antipsychotics

Targeted neurotransmitters - DA, mechanism of action, DA pathways, D2 and 5Ht2A - why is this important?
Typical vs. atypical - what are the differences and how do we choose them?
Adverse effects
Off label indications
Specific benefits of the class

Mood Stabilizers

Targeted neurotransmitters/Mechanism of action
Efficacy in treatment
Adverse reactions
Safety - Importance of compliance and monitoring
Off label indications
Best in practice pearls

Anxiolytics

2nd line treatment vs. 1st line treatment - and reasons these might not be used as first line
Targeted neurotransmitters/Mechanism of action
Cautions and safety concerns associated with this class
Adverse effects
Safety - addiction and withdrawal

Stimulants

Classes of ADHD drugs and how they differ
Neurotransmitters involved/Mechanism of action
Caution associated with controlled substances
Safety in children and use in adults

Critical Considerations for Psychopharmacology Treatment

Increasing risk - when patients combine psychotropic medications with alcohol and/or illicit drugs
Challenging symptoms to treat, such as TBI and autism
Ruling out medical conditions that mimic psychiatric conditions
Importance of a detailed history and review of symptoms

Enlightening Case Studies

Depression
Schizophrenia
Bipolar

Target Audience

Nurse Practitioners
Physician Assistants
Physicians
Pharmacists Nurses
Therapists
Psychologists
Case Managers

Copyright : 05/14/2019

Geriatric Pharmacology: Maximizing Safety & Effectiveness

Program Information

Objectives

Determine preventative techniques and individual monitoring plans to minimize adverse drug events and drug-drug interactions.
Apply the principles of polypharmacy to the patient with cognitive impairment.
Analyze the effects of aging on pharmacokinetics.
Evaluate major causes, mechanism and early symptoms of drug-induced toxicity.
Assess tools used to safely taper and discontinue medications.
Apply prescribing strategies for the geriatric patient.
Integrate age-sensitive principles for medication dosing and management to clinical scenarios.

Outline

Aging and Pharmacodynamics

Effects of Aging on Drug Therapy
Variations in Drug Half-life and Clearance
Drug Dosing in Chronic Kidney Disease
Common Inappropriate & Over-prescribed Drugs
Identifying Subtle Clues to Prevent an Adverse Drug Reaction

Drug-Drug Interactions

The P450 System
The Magic Drug Number in the Elderly
The Top 10 Medications to Avoid
The Top 10 Drug-drug Interactions
Drugs Associated with Weight Loss

Strategies to Avoid Adverse Drug Events

Identifying Subtle Clues to Prevent an Adverse Drug Reaction
Individualizing a Monitoring Plan
Mandatory Gradual Dose Reduction (GDR)
The Garfinkel Method for Drug Discontinuation

The "BEERS Criteria"

What are the Experts Saying?
Follow the Criteria OR go with your Instincts?
When Inappropriate Drugs are OK

STOPP and START

New Recommendations
Guidelines by Body System
Putting it all Together - Still a Puzzle?

Controversial Vitamins & Herbal Supplements

Is your Multivitamin killing you?
After 19 years, the Research is in
Advising your Patients Appropriately
The Vitamins that Help & the Ones that Hurt

Psychopharmacology

Selecting the Right Medication
Challenges in LTC
Black Box WARNINGS

Dementia, Depression & Delirium

The 3 "Ds" in Geriatrics
Drugs that Cause Cognitive Impairment

Prescribing Challenges & Solutions

Cardiovascular
- Digoxin, Amiodarone & the Risk of Orthostatsis
- The New Anti-Hypertensive Guidelines
Neurological
- The Risk of "Sleepers": Zolpidem, Eszopiclone, Zaleplon
Endocrinology
- "Doc I've got a Low 'T'"
- Eliminating Sliding Scales
Gastrointestinal
- Risks of Proton-pump-inhibitors (PPIs)
- Best Antiemetic Choices
Anticholinergics
- Associated Psychosis
- Increased Anxiety and Agitation
Antithrombotics
- Is Aspirin Still Recommended?
Anti-Infectives
- Antibiotic Stewardship
- Drug Resistance Concerns
- Major Contributors to Cdiff
Pain Meds
- Newest Guidelines for Opioid Discontinuance
- Alternatives to Opioids

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Physician Assistants

Patients’ Use of Natural and Alternative Treatments to Manage Chronic Disease: Emerging Trends in Healthcare

Program Information

Outline

Emerging Trends in Healthcare: Natural and Alternative Medicine

Making the case for natural medicine: When it's effective; when it's not
Explore different alternative modalities
Water therapy and energetic therapies
Vitamins as cofactors for biochemical pathways
Why minerals are important to therapeutic protocols

Explore Evidence-Based Natural Management of Common Illnesses

Diabetes: Optimal diets and supplements for reducing HgBA1c
Arthritis: Management of chronic pain through physical medicine, water therapy, nutrition, herbs and vitamins
Hypertension and Congestive Heart Failure: Explore nutritional protocols, exercises and herbal supplementation to be considered in the treatment plan
Hypothyroidism: How nutrition, lifestyle factors, vitamin and herbal interventions can optimize thyroid hormone function
Insomnia: Improve sleep duration and quality through vitamin/herbal supplementation
- Herbal/vitamin side effects with commonly used sedatives
Cancer: Supplements to avoid when a patient is on chemotherapy and interventions to minimize side effects of chemotherapy
Asthma: Nutritional and herbal interventions to minimize asthma exacerbations
Common Colds/Influenza: Analyze herbal supplements that minimize symptoms, boost immune system and reduce duration of colds
Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Explore optimal diets, herbs and vitamins to manage IBS
Depression/Anxiety: How to manage mood through nutrition and herbal interventions
Hypercholesteremia: Nutritional protocols and supplements to minimize LDL/VLDL and maximize HDL.
- Which supplements interact with commonly-prescribed medications.
Surgical Management: Which herbs/vitamins to avoid pre/post-surgery and interventions to optimize surgical healing

Furthering Your Education on Natural Medicine

Supplementation: Why quality matters
Continuing education: Best educational resources to learn more about natural medicine
Incorporating natural therapies into your own life
Understanding scope of practice and safely practicing using natural therapies

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Dietitians Nutritionists
Chiropractors
Diabetes Educators

Objectives

Differentiate between conventional and natural management of common illnesses.
Determine the risk/benefit ratio between conventional and natural approaches to illnesses.
Analyze chronic disease management using nutrition, nutritional supplementation, botanical medicine, physical medicine and energetic medicine.
Evaluate the appropriateness of using natural therapies in chronic disease.
Determine the clinical efficacy of vitamins/minerals in the management of chronic disease.
Analyze patients' use of vitamins and herbs for common side effects and medication interactions.
Choose reputable educational resources to further your knowledge of natural therapies.