Hot Topics

Timely as always, these popular knowledge-based sessions cover the top issues in health-system pharmacy. Topics will include updates from The Joint Commission, USP <797>, new drugs in primary care, and 340B.

The Joint Commission Hospital Update 2009

ACPE Program #204-000-09-101-L03P (2.5 Contact Hours / Knowledge-based)

Get the latest on The Joint Commission hot topics. Find out what the most common medication-related standards scored non-compliant are and why, as well as 2009 National Patient Safety Goals' (NPSG) requirements and medication-related standards. Learn about The Joint Commission's perspective on the new NPSG requirements on reducing healthcare-acquired infections, due for implementation in January 2010, specifically as it relates to hospital pharmacists.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the most common Joint Commission medication-related standards and National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) scored non-compliant on hospital surveys in 2008, and the reasons why.
2. Discuss new requirements for The Joint Commission medication-related standards and National Patient Safety Goals in 2009.
3. List the three major focus areas for the 2009 Joint Commission surveys.
4. Summarize The Joint Commission's perspective on the new NPSG requirements for reducing healthcare-acquired infections.

New Drugs in Primary Care 2009

ACPE Program #204-000-09-106-L01P (1.5 Contact Hours / Knowledge-based)

As drug therapy experts, pharmacists are often called upon for facts and opinions about recently introduced drugs. This presentation is intended to provide a broad-based discussion and objective information about new drug options, including cost information, to be considered by your Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.

Learning Objectives:

1. Assess new trends in drug development.
2. Explain indications, pharmacology, adverse effects, and dosing of the products discussed.
3. Determine the role these products will play in your practice.
4. Evaluate the economic implications of these choices.
5. Examine products in the short-term pipeline that will be important to your practice.

Who's in Charge? Sorting Out Faculty Roles in Hospitals

ACPE Program #204-000-09-126-L04P (2.5 Contact Hours / Knowledge-based)

You work for the university but spend time at the local hospital. Whose rules apply: the university's or the hospital's? How do hospital staff members relate to faculty they work with who report to someone at the college rather than the hospital? What about students? How do finances impact these issues?  Explore these thorny issues and get tips on effectively managing them.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify issues that arise in the roles of faculty and students in hospitals.
2. Explain ways to effectively manage these issues.
3. Solve scenarios describing typical issues that are encountered when faculty have a role in hospitals.

Effective Management of Pharmaceutical and Hazardous Waste

ACPE Program #204-000-09-121-L04P (2.5 Contact Hours / Knowledge-based)

In this session, learn how the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act can guide your institution's procedures for the disposal of pharmaceutical and hazardous waste. Share the issues you face and find out how others are effectively managing this challenge.

Learning Objectives:

1. Summarize issues and challenges in the disposal of pharmaceutical and hazardous waste in the pharmacy.
2. Describe applications of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act to the disposal of pharmaceutical and hazardous waste.
3. Identify effective practices for management of pharmaceutical and hazardous waste that you can apply in your institution.

Meeting Today's Challenges in Implementing USP <797>

ACPE Program #204-000-09-125-L03P (2.5 Contact Hours / Knowledge-based)
ACPE Program #204-000-09-125-L03T

Get the latest on strategies in complying with USP <797>. Define issues and challenges that you face. Learn ways that others are meeting similar challenges and identify strategies that you can use in your institution.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define issues and challenges in complying with both USP <797> and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Alert.
2. Describe strategies and methods that are being used to successfully comply with specific aspects of USP <797>.
3. Identify strategies for handling the change management issues in getting employees to embrace the principles required by USP <797> standards.

Shrink Your ADE Hospital Admissions
ASHP Research and Education Foundation Award for Excellence in Medication-Use Safety Winner

ACPE Program #204-000-09-115-L05P (2.0 Contact Hours / Knowledge-based)

Find out how Novant Medical Group of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, created a remarkable 29% reduction in all-cause hospital admissions and reduced adverse drug event admissions to less than 5% of all hospital admissions. This session will describe the successful process that achieved these results, which you can easily replicate in your setting to improve safety and reduce costs.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the process used at Novant Medical Group for reducing hospital admissions due to adverse drug events.
2. Identify three patient-specific and three disease-specific risk factors for adverse drug events.
3. Identify three ways you can apply this process in your setting.
4. Identify effective methods for decreasing adverse drug events in all populations.

Helping Safety-Net Providers Control Drug Expenditures: The 340B Drug Pricing Program

ACPE Program #204-000-09-111-L04P (3.0 Contact Hours / Knowledge-based)

Attendees will learn about pending 340B legislation and the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) recently published Federal Register Notices (FRNs) regarding definitions of patient, multiple contract pharmacies, and children's hospitals. Pharmacy leaders will share their experiences in making adjustments in their pharmacy programs to comply with the new FRNs. Apexus, HRSA's 340B Prime Vendor, will provide an update on the latest developments with the program which has improved access to affordable medications for participants. Pending investigations, litigation, and Medicaid audits involving the pharmaceutical industry and covered entities will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe key changes within the Federal Register Notices (FRNs) and their implications for covered entities' outpatient pharmacy operations.
2. Describe the latest developments with the 340B Prime Vendor Program and value delivered to participating 340B covered entities.
3. Explain the implications that pending litigation and investigations may have on the pharmacy operations of disproportionate share hospitals.

The Economic Stimulus Package: A Catalyst for Healthcare Reform

ACPE Program #204-000-09-120-L03P (2.0 Contact Hours / Knowledge-based)

Find out the latest legislative and regulatory issues affecting hospital and health-system pharmacy. Learn about issues being considered by Congress, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Food and Drug Administration, and state legislators and regulators. Apply this information to a range of practice topics and settings.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify current regulatory and legislative issues impacting health-system pharmacists in a variety of practice settings.
2. Explain how the regulatory and legislative information applies to a range of practice topics.

Are You Ready? Emergency Management Planning in Today's World

ACPE Program #204-000-09-116-L04P (2.0 Contact Hours / Knowledge-based)

Would you be ready if a hurricane hits your hospital? How about an extended power outage? Terrorist attack? Hear from pharmacists who have experienced emergencies and managed them successfully. How did they do it? What do they recommend you do to be ready? Leave this session knowing what to do next so you can be prepared  for the unthinkable.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the essential elements of a comprehensive program of pharmacy emergency management.
2. Write a continuity plan for one key pharmacy department process.
3. Discuss one training exercise to prepare staff to respond to an emergency or disaster.
4. Describe how the plans of the pharmacy department, healthcare institution, the local health department, and the community can be integrated.

Don't Bug Me! Ramping Up an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program

ACPE Program #204-000-09-129-L01P (2.5 Contact Hours / Knowledge-based)

"Numerous studies show that inappropriate and unnecessary antimicrobial usage leads to increased selection of resistant pathogens… Not only can antimicrobial stewardship programs improve patient care and outcomes, but they also can pay for themselves." IDSAnews, Winter 2007. Learn from experts to create or improve an antimicrobial stewardship program in your institution.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain key antimicrobial stewardship program guidelines and how to apply them in your setting.
2. Describe exemplary antimicrobial stewardship programs and elements that can be implemented in your setting.
3. Outline a preliminary plan for implementing or improving an antimicrobial stewardship program in your institution.