Pharmacy Learning Network—Patient Case Vignettes: Focus on Invasive Fungal Infections

On-Demand Case Vignettes

Cosponsored by North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC and the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy

The University of Kentucky is an equal opportunity university.

Faculty

James S. Lewis, PharmD
Clinical Assistant Professor
College of Pharmacy & Department of Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases
University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas

Elizabeth Dodds Ashley, PharmD, MHS, BCPS
Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacist
University of Rochester Medical Center
Rochester, New York

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity, participants should be able to:

• Identify the local and national epidemiology and burden of invasive fungal infections, including invasive aspergillosis and invasive candidiasis diversification and the emergence of less common invasive molds
• Describe the three major classes of systemic antifungal agents and the differences between agents in the same class
• Employ therapeutic drug monitoring in a real-world practice
• Implement available guidelines to combat invasive fungal infections

Target Audience

This activity is designed for health-system pharmacists.

Statement of Need

Invasive fungal infections continue to represent a common and oftentimes devastating infection in US hospitals. Mortality rates for both IA and IC remain unacceptably high despite newer antifungal options, and further progress in treatment has been impeded by the sluggish rate of improvement in diagnostic methodologies for these infections. The high mortality rates associated with these infections, as well as recent data suggesting that mortality can be decreased in both IA and IC patients that receive effective antifungal therapy as soon as possible, further demonstrate the need to educate healthcare providers regarding the importance of invasive fungal infections.

Activity Overview

This on-demand case vignette series consists of 2 patient case studies, with polling questions integrated throughout each case.

To be eligible for documentation of credit, participants must review each case study, answer all polling questions, and complete the evaluation form. After successful completion of the evaluation form online at www.naccme.com, participants may immediately print their documentation of credit.

Release Date: December 28, 2009

Expiration Date: December 28, 2010

Estimated time to complete: 45 minutes

There is no fee associated with this activity.

This educational activity is a knowledge-based activity.

For questions regarding this educational activity, please contact Angela Scarnici at 609-371-1137.

Hardware/Software Requirements

All educational activities are accessible via a computer with 650 MHz PC, 128 MB RAM, Windows or MAC operating system, Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Safari browsers. Windows Media Player, sound card, and speakers are required for streamed audio. Flash Player, sound card, and speakers are required for video programs. A PDF reader is required for print publications. Please direct technical questions to webmaster@naccme.com.

CPE Accreditation

The University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

This knowledge-based activity has been assigned UAN (022-999-09-132-H01-P) and will award up to .75 contact hours (0.075 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education credit in states that recognize ACPE providers.

Statements of credit will indicate hours and CEUs based on participation and will be issued online at the conclusion of the activity. Successful completion includes completing the activity, its accompanying evaluation and posttest (score 70% or higher) and requesting credit online at conclusion of the activity. The College complies with the Accreditation Standards for Continuing Pharmacy Education.

Independent Clinical Reviewer: Conan MacDougall, PharmD, MAS, BCPS, Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy, San Francisco, California

Planning Committee

The planning committee comprises Elizabeth Dodds Ashley, PharmD, MHS, BCPS, James S. Lewis, PharmD, Conan MacDougall, PharmD, MAS, BCPS; Chris Dennison, UK HealthCare CECentral, University of Kentucky; Kristin Dickie, Mary Johnson, Michael Kearney, Rich Keenan, Nick Lombardi, Erin Phelps, Randy Robbin, John Savage, and Jessica Steuerman, NACCME.

Financial Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest  

According to the disclosure policy of NACCME, faculty, editors, managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control content are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with relevant commercial companies related to this activity. All relevant conflicts of interest that are identified are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest. If a conflict is identified, it is the responsibility of NACCME to initiate a mechanism to resolve the conflict(s). The existence of these interests or relationships is not viewed as implying bias or decreasing the value of the presentation.
                
All educational materials are reviewed for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies reported, and levels of evidence.

The faculty has reported the following:
Dr. Dodds Ashley: Grant/research support—Astellas, Schering-Plough; Consultant—Astellas; Promotional speakers bureau—Merck and Co., Inc
Dr. Lewis: Consultant—Astellas Pharma US, Inc, Merck and Co., Inc, Ortho-McNeil, Pfizer, Inc, Schering-Plough Corporation; Promotional speakers bureau—Cubist, Pfizer, Inc, Schering-Plough Corporation, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
Dr. MacDougall has disclosed no relevant financial relationships with any commercial interests.

Mr. Dennison, Ms. Dickie, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Kearney, Mr. Keenan, Mr. Lombardi, Ms. Phelps, Mr. Robbin, Mr. Savage, and Ms. Steuerman have disclosed no relevant financial relationships with any commercial interests.

NACCME requires faculty to inform participants whenever off-label/unapproved uses of drugs and/or devices are discussed in their presentations.

The faculty has disclosed that no off-label/unapproved use(s) of drugs and/or devices will be discussed.

Privacy Policy

NACCME protects the privacy of personal and other information regarding participants, educational partners, and joint sponsors. NACCME and our joint sponsors will not release personally identifiable information to a third party without the individual's consent, except such information as is required for reporting purposes to the appropriate accrediting agency.

NACCME maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to guard your nonpublic personal information.

Copyright © 2009 by North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this accredited continuing education activity may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without first obtaining permission from North American Center for Continuing Medical Education.

Grant Support

Supported by educational grants from Astellas and Pfizer, Inc.