Critical Care Certificate

   
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education with Commendation.

This activity is intended for pharmacists who are interested in critical care services and would like to grow their knowledge and skills for managing patients in need of critical care.

Basics of Critical Care
ACPE: 0204-0000-25-826-H01-P
Application-based
1 contact hour 

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the fundamental needs and clinical relevance of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).
• Differentiate between the indications of devices used in critically ill patients.
• Apply essential components of ICU medicine to a critically ill patient. 

Acid-Base Disorders
ACPE: 0204-0000-25-827-H01-P
Application-based
1 contact hour 

Learning Objectives:

• Interpret blood gas and other laboratory results to diagnose various acid-base disorders.
• Compare the physiology and causes of anion gap and non-anion gap metabolic acidosis.
• Develop evidence-based treatment plans for patients with acid-base abnormalities. 

Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Changes in the Critically Ill
ACPE: 0204-0000-25-828-H01-P
Application-based
2.75 contact hours 

Learning Objectives:

• Summarize factors that may alter the absorption of commonly used medications in patients who are critically ill.
• Assess volume status in a patient who is critically ill for the impact on medication dosing.
• Recommend medication dosing adjustments for patients who are critically ill and experiencing hypermetabolism.
• Evaluate medication dosing regimens for patients with reduced medication metabolism.
• Identify patients at risk for augmented renal clearance.
• Compare renal replacement modalities and their effect on medication elimination. 

Hemodynamics and Shock Syndromes
ACPE: 0204-0000-25-829-H01-P
Application-based
3.25 contact hours 

Learning Objectives:

• Identify abnormal hemodynamic parameters in patients with shock.
• Interpret hemodynamic parameters to guide treatment decisions in shock.
• Interpret hemodynamic parameters obtained from invasive and non-invasive monitoring to guide clinical decision-making.
• Differentiate between the types of shock states based on pathophysiology, hemodynamic parameters, and clinical presentation.
• Identify patients with septic shock based on hemodynamic parameters and clinical features.
• Develop an evidence-based treatment plan for a patient with septic shock that includes fluid resuscitation, antimicrobial initiation, and/or adjunctive therapies.
• Compare the pharmacology, mechanism of action, and hemodynamic effects of vasoactive agents and inotropes used in the management of shock.
• Design an individualized vasopressor regimen for patients with shock that integrates vasopressor pharmacology and patient-specific hemodynamic parameters. 

Coagulopathies and Component Replacement
ACPE: 0204-0000-25-830-H01-P
Application-based
1.75 contact hours 

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate coagulation processes for differentiation of coagulopathies.
• Interpret traditional coagulopathy laboratory parameters and viscoelastic testing.
• Select an appropriate hemostatic agent for the reversal of anticoagulation.
• Compare blood factor components and their associated uses.
• Develop a treatment plan for massive transfusion protocol and trauma-induced coagulopathy.
• Choose appropriate adjunctive medications for massive transfusion protocol and trauma-induced coagulopathy, including tranexamic acid and calcium. 

Pain, Agitation, and Delirium
ACPE: 0204-0000-25-831-H01-P
Application-based
2 contact hours 

Learning Objectives:

• Describe contributing factors for pain and agitation in the ICU.
• Discuss the assessment and prevention of pain and agitation in the ICU.
• Given a patient case, design a treatment plan for a patient experiencing pain and/or agitation in the ICU.
• Identify delirium assessment tools and prevention strategies.
• Given a patient case, recommend a treatment for a patient experiencing delirium.
• Explain prevention and treatment of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome. 

Glycemic Control and Hyperglycemic Crisis (DKA/HHS)
ACPE: 0204-0000-25-832-H01-P
Application-based
0.75 contact hours 

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the diagnostic criteria and key pathophysiological differences between diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and a hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS).
• Develop a treatment plan based on the current evidence-based recommendations for fluid resuscitation, insulin therapy, and electrolyte management in adult patients with DKA and HHS.
• Assess common risk factors of DKA recurrence as they relate to patient education strategies that help prevent future hyperglycemic crises. 

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
ACPE: 0204-0000-25-833-H01-P
Application-based
1.25 contact hours 

Learning Objectives:

• Summarize the pathophysiology and clinical characteristics of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
• Select appropriate patients to implement non-pharmacologic strategies in a patient with ARDS.
• Choose appropriate pharmacologic therapies in the management of a patient with ARDS. 

Neurological Disorders in the ICU
ACPE: 0204-0000-25-834-H01-P
Application-based
2.5 contact hours 

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the importance of infection prevention measures in the ICU setting. 
• List common pathogens associated with infectious diseases in ICU patients. 
• Differentiate risk factors for infection with community vs. hospital-acquired pathogens. 
• Summarize the pathophysiology of infectious diseases managed in the ICU. 
• Recommend appropriate antimicrobial therapy based on evidence-based guidelines and primary literature. 
• Interpret vital signs, imaging, and laboratory results to aid in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. 
• Explain the role of surgical intervention in the management of infectious diseases. 
• Identify when use of oral antimicrobials for infections in the ICU may be appropriate. 
• Explain the role of surgical intervention in the management of infectious diseases. 

Dermatological Emergencies
ACPE: 0204-0000-25-835-H01-P
Application-based
1.75 contact hours 

Learning Objectives:

• Use the ALDEN scoring to identify potential offending agents for Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis/Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (TEN/SJS).
• Develop an intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment regimen for TEN/SJS.
• Recognize medications associated with Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome.
• Compare the presenting characteristics of TEN/SJS and DRESS.
• Create a treatment plan for DRESS.
• Recommend antimicrobial therapy based on the pathogens commonly implicated in Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).
• Describe the role of IVIG in the management of TSS.
• Design an empiric antimicrobial regimen for management of necrotizing fasciitis. 

Acute Cardiovascular Syndromes
ACPE: 0204-0000-25-836-H01-P
Application-based
2.75 contact hours 

Learning Objectives:

• Apply an evidence-based treatment regimen for a patient with acute coronary syndrome.
• Summarize key treatment concepts for managing atrial fibrillation in the acute care setting.
• Compare antiarrhythmic medications for management of unstable ventricular tachycardia and cardiac arrest.
• Analyze hemodynamics to develop a treatment plan for a patient with acute heart failure.
• Differentiate classes of medications for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
• Select an anticoagulation treatment plan for a patient with acute pulmonary embolism. 

Infectious Diseases in the ICU
ACPE: 0204-0000-25-837-H01-P
Application-based
2.25 contact hours 

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the importance of infection prevention measures in the ICU setting. 
• List common pathogens associated with infectious diseases in ICU patients. 
• Differentiate risk factors for infection with community vs. hospital-acquired pathogens. 
• Summarize the pathophysiology of infectious diseases managed in the ICU. 
• Recommend appropriate antimicrobial therapy based on evidence-based guidelines and primary literature. 
• Interpret vital signs, imaging, and laboratory results to aid in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. 
• Explain the role of surgical intervention in the management of infectious diseases. 
• Identify when use of oral antimicrobials for infections in the ICU may be appropriate. 
• Explain the role of surgical intervention in the management of infectious diseases. 

In accordance with our accreditor’s Standards of Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, ASHP requires that all individuals in control of content disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies. An individual has a relevant financial relationship if they have had a financial relationship with an ineligible company in any dollar amount in the past 24 months and the educational content that the individual controls is related to the business lines or products of the ineligible company.

An ineligible company is any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients. The presence or absence of relevant financial relationships will be disclosed to the activity audience. 

The following persons in control of this activity’s content have relevant financial relationships:

• Karen Berger: CSL Behring & Octapharma, speaker’s bureau; SERB Pharmaceuticals, focus group
• James Coons: AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers-Squibb/J&J, consultant

All other persons in control of content do not have any relevant financial relationships with an ineligible company. 

As defined by the Standards of Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education definition of ineligible company. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the CE activity.

Each activity consists of audio, video, and/or PDFs and evaluations. Learners must review all content and complete the evaluations to receive continuing pharmacy education credit for each activity. 

Follow the prompts to claim, view, or print the statement of credit within 60 days after completing the activity.

Important Note – ACPE 60 Day Deadline:

Per ACPE requirements, CPE credit must be claimed within 60 days of being earned. To verify that you have completed the required steps and to ensure your credits have been reported to CPE Monitor, check your NABP eProfile account to validate that your credits were transferred successfully before the ACPE 60-day deadline. After the 60-day deadline, ASHP will no longer be able to award credit for this activity.

The ASHP Professional Certificates ^SM educational product line contains learning activities that are ACPE-accredited knowledge and application-based continuing education. This is not an ACPE Certificate Program. Upon successful completion of the activities, the learner will be able to download an ASHP Professional Certificate.