eLearning

Aim

To familiarise healthcare professionals with the antibacterial agents commonly encountered in clinical practice.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this course you should be able to:

• describe the differences between human (eukaryotic) cells and bacterial (prokaryotic) cells that can be exploited by antibacterial agents
• list the main bacterial cell sites on which antibacterial agents exert their bactericidal or bacteriostatic effects
• define minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bacterial concentration – the measures of antibacterial susceptibility
• summarise the main issues for each class of commonly encountered antibacterial agent.

Aim

To enable healthcare professionals to diagnose and manage common infections.

Learning outcomes

Following completion of this course you should be able to:

• detail the diagnosis and management of urinary tract infections in different patient groups
• explain the antibiotic prescribing strategy for respiratory tract infections
• detail the management of acute bronchitis in different patient groups
• describe the management of community-acquired pneumonia and hospital-acquired pneumonia
• discuss the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations, sore throats, sinusitis and bronchiecstasis
• recognise common skin and soft tissue infections and know the first- and second-line antibiotics to treat these
• list the risk factors and symptoms associated with sepsis and appreciate the severity of the condition
• detail the recommendations for preventing infections in asplenic patients

Aim

To know the range of factors that must be considered when selecting an antimicrobial agent

Learning outcomes

Having completed this course you should be able to:

• list the indicators of an infection
• consider whether a patient with an infection requires treatment with an antimicrobial agent
• recognise when empirical or targeted antimicrobial therapy should be chosen
• describe the impact that the site of infection has on choosing antimicrobials
• discuss the patient factors that should be considered when choosing an appropriate antimicrobial agent
• explain the issues associated with topical, parenteral and oral administration of antimicrobials

Aim

To provide an overview of sepsis, thus enabling pharmacists to identify patients presenting with symptoms in the community and to refer them appropriately.

Learning outcomes

Having viewed this recorded lecture, you will be able to:

• Define sepsis and understand its pathophysiology
• Identify individuals who are at higher risk of developing sepsis from an infection
• Describe the symptoms indicative of sepsis in both adults and children
• Acknowledge the importance of early recognition and know what is appropriate escalation of care
• Understand how the condition is managed in practice
• Appreciate the long-term complications associated with sepsis
• Support patients suffering from post-sepsis syndrome

Aim

To familiarise healthcare professionals with the actions and use of commonly encountered antifungal, antiviral and antiprotozoal agents.

Learning outcomes

Following completion of this course you should be able to:

• describe the actions of antifungal, antiviral and antiprotozoal agents
• differentiate between the main classes of antifungal agents, indicating how each should be used appropriately
• list the commonly used antiviral agents, their dosage form and indications for use
• detail common antiprotozoal drugs and the protozoa they are active against.

Aim

To enable healthcare professionals to understand the impact of antimicrobial resistance and to assist with halting the spread of resistance and Clostriodes difficile.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this workshop you should be able to:

• define antimicrobial resistance
• discuss Clostriodes difficile (C. diff) and the associated problems
• explain Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) risk factors, diagnosis and treatment
• describe what MRSA screening and decolonisation entails
• detail the problems with extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and resistant enterococci
• list strategies to halt the spread of C. diff and antimicrobial resistance.

Aim

To enable pharmacists to adhere to the principles of antimicrobial stewardship and to successfully promote it.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this workshop you should be able to:

• define antimicrobial stewardship
• discuss the UK’s five-year national action plan (Tackling antimicrobial resistance 2019-2024)
• explain the components of an antimicrobial stewardship programme
• describe antimicrobial stewardship toolkits that are available for use in primary and secondary care
• appreciate the role of the patient in antimicrobial stewardship
• detail successful antimicrobial stewardship interventions to date.

Aim

To equip learners with the knowledge to deliver a safe and supportive service to patients prescribed anticoagulants.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course you should be able to:

• state the indications for anticoagulant therapy
• describe the mode of action of the oral and parenteral anticoagulants that are currently available
• advise on the importance of regular INR monitoring for vitamin-k antagonists
• identify and resolve common medicines management issues in anticoagulated patients
• follow best practice guidance to improve safe use of anticoagulants
• promote safe use of anticoagulants in pregnant women
• provide accurate information to patients, their carers and healthcare professionals regarding the safe and appropriate use of anticoagulants.

Aim

To enable you to provide evidence-based information to patients in primary care who have a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Learning outcomes

Having completed this course you should be able to:

• define AF, discuss its prevalence and describe the symptoms and complications of AF
• outline the management objectives of AF
• discuss drugs used in rate and rhythm control strategies
• detail the treatment of permanent, persistent and paroxysmal AF
• outline the choice of antithrombotic therapy in AF, including special considerations when prescribing.

Aim

To review the implications of the Fourth Report of the Shipman Inquiry, focusing specifically on the prescribing, dispensing, safe custody and disposal of controlled drugs.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course you should be able to:

• comply with legislation underpinning controlled drugs
• state changes in the legislative framework for controlled drugs arising from the Fourth Shipman Report
• review the role and responsibilities of the Accountable Officer in relation to controlled drugs
• list the non-medical professions who may now prescribe
• describe best practice with respect to writing of prescriptions, keeping of records and maintaining prescription security for controlled drugs in all areas of practice
• define procedures for the disposal of returned controlled drugs.

Aim

To promote the safer use of insulin in clinical practice.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course you should be able to:

• identify the errors commonly encountered with insulin
• describe the possible clinical consequences associated with insulin
• list the causes of medication incidents involving insulin
• implement strategies to reduce the risks with insulin
• safeguard patients by providing them with appropriate information about their insulin
• promote staff education and safe systems of practice as effective means of reducing medication errors associated with insulin

Aim

To promote the safer use of opioids in clinical practice.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course you should be able to:

• list the causes of medication incidents involving opioids
• describe the possible clinical consequences associated with opioids
• implement strategies to reduce the risks with opioids
• safeguard patients by providing them with appropriate information about their opioids
• promote staff education and safe systems of practice as effective means of reducing medication errors associated with opioids

Aim

To promote the safer use of oral anticoagulants in clinical practice.

Learning outcomes

Following completion of this course you should be able to:

• list the causes of medication incidents involving oral anticoagulants
• describe the possible clinical consequences associated with oral anticoagulants
• implement strategies to reduce the risks with oral anticoagulants
• safeguard patients by providing them with appropriate information about oral anticoagulants
• promote staff education and safe systems of practice as effective means of reducing medication errors associated with oral anticoagulants

Aim

To increase confidence in accurately performing different types of medicines-related calculations commonly encountered in the clinical setting.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course you should be able to:

• undertake the conversion of units of mass and volume from smaller or larger units and vice versa
• express the concentration of a solution in terms of quantity per volume, percentage concentrations and parts
• dilute a stock solution to the particular strength needed for patient use
• calculate the dose of a drug accurately for intravenous infusion, intravenous bolus dosing and oral administration.

Aim

To promote the safer use of medicines in clinical practice through a better understanding of why medication incidents happen.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course you should be able to:

• define what is meant by a medication incident
• describe medication-related errors and their impact on the health service
• promote the reporting and investigating of medication incidents as a means to improving patient safety
• identify the causes of errors and medication incidents in practice
• list the role and functions of the organisations established to reduce risk
• promote staff education and safe systems of practice as effective means of reducing medication errors.

Aim

To familiarise all clinical staff with the Northern Ireland medicine prescription and administration record for adults.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course you should be able to:

• record patient information, including allergy status, risk factors, additional charts used and medicines management issues
• undertake the venous thromboembolism risk assessment for hospitalised adults
• document the prescribing and discontinuation of injectable, non-injectable and as required medicines
• adopt a consistent approach to documenting medicines that are to be administered less than once per day
• record the administration of medicines accurately
• document doses that have been omitted and the reason for omission
• prescribe oxygen in accordance with the NPSA recommendations and BTS guidelines.

Aim

To enable pharmacist prescribers to effectively manage benzodiazepine reduction and withdrawal in primary care.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this workshop you should be able to:

• describe the mechanism of action of the bezodiazepines
• state the extent of benzodiazepine prescribing in Northern Ireland
• explain the implications of long-term benzodiazepine use for patients
• highlight the range of evidence-based models available for benzodiazepine reduction
• list the challenges specific to undertaking this role within primary care.

Aim

To equip healthcare professionals (HCPs) with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver an effective brief interventions in practice.

Learning outcomes

Following completion of this course you should be able to:

• define what is meant by a brief intervention
• apply the model of behaviour change to your practice
• outline the principles of effective communication
• raise the subjects of smoking, alcohol consumption or physical inactivity with patients in routine practice and record intervention in patient notes
• assess patient/clients for risk and their motivation to change
• advise on the risks to health posed by smoking, alcohol and physical inactivity
• assist patients/clients by signposting and providing additional information sources.