Full Course Description

Geriatric Pharmacology Intensive Training: Current Guidelines & Treatments for Older Adult Patients

To ensure positive outcomes and adequate health maintenance in the older adult person, it is important to continually review, update and clarify the role of geriatric pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics as it pertains to each body system. Practical application and an intense case review Bring real-life patient care to the forefront

Program Information

Objectives

Explore the pearls and pitfalls of both prescribed and over the counter medication regimens.
Analyze geriatric polypharmacy and how a multidisciplinary approach can mitigate medication use.
Determine effective education and communication strategies to use with patients and their families about common side effects from prescribed medications.
Plan for the most common challenging geriatric behaviors triggered by important drug to drug interactions.
Discover cultural barriers to patient medication compliance.
Identify over the counter medication risk.
Understand techniques to properly triage a medication list for the patient with multiple comorbidities.
Manage the use of the remote medication Pyxis.
Learn tips to improve collaboration with the pharmacist in your organization.

Outline

Upper Gastrointestinal Conditions: Current Medication Guidelines & Treatments for Older Adults

GERD
- Approach to the older adult with dyspepsia
- Medication induced esophagitis
Constipation
- Opioid induced constipation
Decreased Appetite/Failure to Thrive
- Discerning root causes
- Cachexia in Terminal Illness
- Dysphagia
- Dentition, Depression, Distaste
Avoiding the GI Bleed
- Over the counter conundrum
- Anticoagulants - the risk vs. benefit

Lower Gastrointestinal Conditions: Current Medication Guidelines & Treatments for Older Adults

Small Bowel Obstruction
- Post op interventions
- Pathophysiology of GI peristalsis
Diverticulitis vs. Diverticulosis
Decreased Peristalsis
Hemorrhoids
Colon Cancer Risk and Updated Maintenance Guidelines
Ulcerative Colitis /Crohn's Disease
- Role of autoimmune disease and the additional variable immunosuppression risk

Pulmonology Conditions: Current Medication Guidelines & Treatments for Older Adults

COPD
- Assessing risk/morbidity/mortality
DVT Prophylaxis/Pulmonary Embolism
- Risk stratification for stroke risk - especially in patients with afib
The Covid Long Hauler & Pulmonary Function
- Pulmonary rehab
- Where are we now?
Smoking Cessation & the Older Adult Person
Pneumonia

Cardiology Conditions: Current Medication Guidelines & Treatments for Older Adults

The Role of Aspirin
Cardiac Arrhythmias - and the EKG rhythm
Anticoagulation
Anti-arrhythmics
Antiplatelets
Anti-hypertensives & Rate Control
CHF

Neurology Conditions: Current Medication Guidelines & Treatments for Older Adults

Preserve Cognitive Function in the Dementia Patient
Deprescribing to Avoid Polypharmacy Risks
Neuroleptics and Central Nervous System Agents
Dementia
Behavioral Medications for: Sun Downing Aggression, Hallucinations, Hygiene, Intimacy, Anxiety, Repetitive and Depressive Behaviors, Nutrition

Endocrine Conditions: Current Medication Guidelines & Treatments for Older Adults

Diabetic Protocols & Medication Guidelines
Management of Diabetic Emergencies
Electrolyte Imbalance Role in Maintenance of Blood Glucose
Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia in the Patient with Decreased PO Intake
Musculoskeletal Conditions: Current Medication Guidelines & Treatments for Older Adult

Musculoskeletal Complaints in Patients with Multiple Comorbidities

Avoid the Pitfalls of End Organ Damage During Treatment
Explore Topicals, Nutraceuticals & Other Related Adjuvants

Target Audience

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

Copyright : 10/25/2023

Geriatric Pharmacology: Provide Optimal Pharmacotherapy

In the United States those over the age of 85 use a large amount of medical resources including medications. Sequelae from medication usage are common in the elderly and may result in hospitalizations and/or death. This Pharmacy lecture will provide you with the necessary tools to carefully monitor your patients medications and provide optimal pharmacotherapy. We will explore drug/drug and drug/disease scenarios. We will create a plan that will minimize the number of meds one needs to take and maximize the drug's side effect profile to our advantage. We will understand the importance of knowing the BEERS list. Upon completion of these pharmacy lectures you will feel more comfortable with medication management in older adults.

Program Information

Objectives

Define the terms polypharmacy and prescribing/medication cascade.
Describe the elements of a thorough medication history and reconciliation.
Identify prescription and over the counter risk of drug interactions.
Utilize the BEERS criteria to identify potentially inappropriate medications in the older adult.
Identify common medications that may affect current/future disease states.

Outline

What is polypharmacy?

Who is at risk?
What are the causes?
Prescribing Cascade

What is the BEERS list?

The American Geriatric Society Beers Criteria
What is on the Beers list?

What are drug interactions

Drug-drug interactions
Drug-food/beverage interactions

Drug-disease interactions

How do drug interactions occur?

A pharmacodynamic interaction

Why is it important to check for interaction?
Do drug interactions occur often?
Other factors causing drug interactions?
How do I check for drug interactions?
What should I do if I find a drug interaction?

Target Audience

Nurse Practitioners
Advance Practice Registered Nurses
Nurses
Physician Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Physical Therapists
Speech Language Pathologists
Nursing Home Administrators
Social Workers

Copyright : 09/29/2023

Pharmacology in the Older Adult

Older adults are a unique subset of patients that required customization of medications. In this session, we will take a deep dive into issues in geriatric pharmacology. Eric will explore the physiological differences of the older adult, the perils of polypharmacy and the prescription cascade, BEERS criteria, deprescribing, and other topics that are important in understanding medications in the older adult. Also included will be information about drug interactions, including over the counter medications, high risk medications, and high risk drug-disease interactions.

Program Information

Objectives

Identify physiological differences of the older adult and how that impacts medication management.
Recognize potentially inappropriate and high-risk medications in the geriatric patient utilizing the Beers criteria.
Discuss the risks of polypharmacy and the prescribing cascade.
Identify common drug interactions with over-the-counter medications that will negatively impact our geriatric patients.

Outline

Physiological differences of the older adult
Perils of polypharmacy and the prescription cascade
- BEERS criteria
- Deprescribing
Drug interactions
- Over the counter medications
High risk medications
- High risk drug-disease interaction

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Physician Assistants
Speech Language Pathologists
Other Healthcare Professionals

Copyright : 09/29/2022

Geriatric Psychopharmacology Updates & Trends

Are you a busy clinician who does not have time to keep up with the latest medications and trends in geriatric prescribing? This seminar will provide you with the information you need to feel more confident in choosing the right medication for your older adult patients with mental health issues and dementia. Join me, Dr. Tamatha Arms, PhD, DNP, PMHNP-BC, NP-C, as I discuss the newest recommendations from the American Geriatrics Society and the American Psychiatric Association and review the new neuropsychiatric medications available. We are also learning that COVID-19 has been linked to long-term effects on the neurological system, causing delirium after recovery. Learn the latest indications for recognizing this condition and medication management options.

Program Information

Objectives

Apply principles of deprescribing anticholinergics.
Differentiate options for use of anxiolytics.
Diagnose and treat COVID related delirium.
Assess common drug interactions for dementia drugs.
Choose the optimum treatment for late life depression.
Analyze and prescribe the appropriate new neuropsychiatric medications.

Outline

Anticholinergics

Anxiolytics

Delirium from COVID

Management with psychopharmacology

Dementia drugs and common drug interactions

Best strategies for use of antidepressants in older adults

Antipsychotics

Brexpiprazole
Lumateperone
Lybalvi
Cariprazine
Lurasidone

Antidepressants

Esketamine

Sleep disorders

Pitolisant
Lemborexant
Vortioxetine hydrobromide

Parkinson’s

Istradefylline
Pimavanserin
Apomorphine HCL

Dementia

Aducanumab

Tardive dyskinesia

Deutetrabenozine

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Physician Assistants
Physicians
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Speech Language Pathologists
Social Workers
Nursing Home Administrators

Copyright : 09/21/2021

Pharmacology of Infectious Diseases & Immunizations for Advance Practice Clinicians

Attend this seminar and learn proper prescribing, patient education and monitoring procedures for a variety of drug regimens used to treat common acute and chronic infectious diseases. Choosing an antibacterial agent can be challenging, given the plethora of drugs available on the market and the emerging trend in bacterial resistance.

You will learn the pharmacology of different classes of antimicrobials used to treat infectious disease states encountered in clinical practice. Discover the spectrums of activity, pharmacokinetic characteristics, and parameters for monitoring therapeutic outcomes. Emphasis is placed on the new antimicrobials and advances in evidence-based treatment guidelines. You will leave this seminar better prepared to design appropriate and cost-effective drug regimens for improved therapeutic outcomes.

Program Information

Objectives

Develop antibiotic recommendations in response to microbiologic testing results.
Describe clinical scenarios compelling for empiric coverage of resistant bacteria.
Discriminate clinical scenarios requiring initiation of antibiotics.
Integrate cephalosporins for successful management of complicated urinary tract infections.
Choose appropriate risk factor–based empiric antibiotic regimens for acute infections.
Recognize clinical scenarios necessitating avoidance of specific antibiotics based on side effect profiles.
Identify clinical situations appropriate for newly approved antimicrobials.
Formulate effective evidence-based treatment regimens for simple cystitis.

Outline

Considerations for Successful Empiric Therapy

Spectrum of activity for commonly used antibiotics
Normal flora for infectious sites
Resistance associated with common bacteria
Pharmacodynamic influences on antibiotic dosing

Interpretation of Microbiologic Test Results

Gram stain results
Culture and sensitivity results
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) evaluation
PCR results

Antibacterial Resistance

Trends
Mechanisms of resistance
Contributing factors
Antibiotic stewardship concepts

Antibiotic Related Allergies– Penicillin and ‘Sulfa’

Define true allergy versus side effect
Penicillin allergy and cephalosporin cross sensitivity
‘Sulfa’ allergy

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Streptococcus pyogenes vs. MRSA
Review evidence for antibiotic management
Review IDSA treatment guidelines
Vancomycin AUC/MIC monitoring

Pneumonia

Review evidence for pathogen etiology
Review evidence for antibiotic management
IDSA/ATS community-acquired pneumonia treatment guidelines
Resistance risk factors and management
Review new antibiotics for MDR infections

Influenza

Review evidence for vaccine timing and use in older adults
Review of clinical trial data for therapeutics
Review IDSA/CDC treatment guidelines

Urinary Tract Infections

Review evidence for resistance trends
Review of clinical trial data for therapeutics
Antibiotics for MDR infections
Clostridium Difficile Infection

Risk factor evidence review

Compare antibiotic risk levels
Review IDSA treatment guidelines
Review of clinical trial data for therapeutics
Probiotics prophylaxis evidence review

Target Audience

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

Gastrointestinal Pharmacology Update: Prescribing for Patient Outcome Achievement

Watch double certified Clinical Gastroenterologist Dr Peter Buch, as he provides solutions to your most challenging GI-related challenges in practice. Focusing on common patient concerns, including H pylori, c difficile, inflammatory bowel disease and chronic constipation, you will take away the latest pharmacologic best practice insights to guide your own prescriptive decisions.

Program Information

Objectives

Determine the current best medication practices for H pylori.
Select up-to-date approaches to manage chronic constipation.
Analyze the best pharmacological strategies for PPI use.
Explore important updates in clostridium difficile treatment.
Plan to incorporate the newest strategies for successful treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Outline

Helicobacter Pylori

Testing regimens
Clarithromycin resistance and need for quadruple therapy
Pill burden and risk of recurrence
How to manage refractory H pylori

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

Who needs chronic therapy
REAL side effects of PPIs

Clostridium Difficile

Should we still be using Metronidazole?
Vancomycin
Fidaxomicin
Fecal transplants - the ultimate probiotic
Bezlotoxumab

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

When to consider 5 ASAs
Antibiotics
Steroids
Antimetabolites
Anti TNFs
Vedolizumab
Ustekinumab
Tofacitiniub
Biosimilars

Opioid Induced Constipation

How to choose among: Osmotic or stimulant laxatives
PAMORAS: Naloxegol,Naldemedine, Methylnaltrexone
Secretogogues like Lubiprostone
Selective 5HT4 agonist like Prucalopride

Target Audience

Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Physicians
Physicians Assistants

Parkinson’s Disease: Current Pharmacologic Methods of Treatment

Parkinson disease is a heterogeneous disease with rapidly and slowly progressive forms. Treatment involves pharmacologic approaches (typically with levodopa preparations prescribed with or without other medications) and nonpharmacologic approaches (such as exercise and physical, occupational, and speech therapies). Our emphasis in this training session will be on current evidence to guide medication selection. Approaches such as deep brain stimulation and treatment with levodopa-carbidopa enteral suspension can help individuals with medication-resistance tremor, worsening symptoms when the medication wears off, and dyskinesias.

Program Information

Objectives

Develop a predication model for diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease based on presentations in primary care.
Describe the current treatment options of Parkinson’s Disease.
Analyze nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic methods of treatment of Parkinson’s.
Evaluate deep brain stimulation and treatment with levodopa-carbidopa enteral suspension to help individuals with medication-resistant tremor, worsening symptoms when the medication wears off, and dyskinesias.

Outline

Clinical Significance

Defined primarily by motor symptoms including tremor, bradykinesia and akinesia
May demonstrate non-motor symptoms such as cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance and dysautonomia
Dopaminergic medications and deep brain stimulation for motor symptom treatment

Clinical Presentation to Guide Pharmacological Decisions

Assessment
Imaging
Co-morbidities

Evidence Based Treatments

Medications
Nonpharmacy
Surgeries
Rehab

Dementia: New & Improving Treatments

Alzheimer’s disease, and other dementia types, can profoundly impact the lives of those who suffer from it. Compared to older treatments, which only targeted symptoms, the newest treatment options for Alzheimer's now target the underlying pathological disease process. Expert geriatric clinician, Steven Atkinson, PA-C, MS, will provide clear updates to immediately make a difference for the dementia patients you treat!

Program Information

Objectives

Select the best drug choices based on dementia type.
Determine the tools to help in the diagnosis of common dementia types.
Analyze CMS treatment coverage policies.
Evaluate common pharmacological treatments for behaviors.
Identify medications to avoid when prescribing for dementia patients.

Outline

Drug Utilization Amongst the Elderly
Ruling out Delirium and Depression
- Approaches to Delirium
- Approaches to Depression
Anticholinergic Burden in the Elderly
Cognitive Screens
Artificial Intelligence
Dementia Types
- SDAT
  - Imaging
  - The biological definition
- LATE-NC
- Vascular Dementia
- Dementia with Lewy Bodies
- FTD
- Substance-Induced Dementia
Traditional Pharmacological Treatments
- ChI’s
- Memantine
Newly Approved Alzheimer’s Medications
Depression in Dementia
Apathy in Dementia
Anxiety in Dementia
Sleep Disorders in Dementia
Weight Loss in Dementia
Differences that Make ALL the Difference
Beyond Drugs

Target Audience

Nurse Practitioners
Advance Practice Registered Nurses
Nurses
Physician Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Physical Therapists
Speech Language Pathologists
Nursing Home Administrators
Social Workers