In line with previous editions, the 2014 Clinical Reasoning Series offers the most up-to-date, in-depth, critical appraisal of topical issues affecting health care and pharmacist services.
Oral Anticoagulants: Critical Appraisal of the Evidence and Implications for Patient Care offers a comprehensive review of the non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants. Sessions include a prelude on biostatistics and study design and applications to the published studies on oral anticoagulants; a comprehensive overview of the current evidence on non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants; a summary of the scientific and clinical literature on pharmacogenomic-guided dosing of warfarin highlighting the controversies surrounding its application to daily practice; and, finally, a session on anticoagulation management services providing practical examples to enhance outcomes and billing practices.
Health Care–Associated Infections offers an update on the common infections contributing to prolonged hospitalizations and added health care costs. Sessions provide an overview of contemporary strategies for the optimal management of pneumonia, surgical site infections, and gastrointestinal infections and offer approaches and stewardship strategies on process and outcome improvements.
The home-study editions of both programs, including audio-slide– synchronized presentations, online handouts, and posttests, are now available to be reviewed and completed at one’s own pace. The following table summarizes the intended audience, the specialty recertification/continuing pharmacy education credits offered, and the due dates for submitting the program posttests for recertification and continuing education credits.
Table. 2014 Clinical Reasoning Series Programs
| Program Oral | Anticoagulants: Critical Appraisal of the Evidence and Implications for Patient Care | Health Care–Associated Infections |
| Intended audience | BCACPs, BCPSs, clinical pharmacists | BCPSs, clinical pharmacists |
| Specialty recertification/CPE credit hours | 6.0 credit hours | 6.0 credit hours |
| Recertification due date | November 30, 2014 | November 30, 2014 |
| CPE due date | October 11, 2017 | October 11, 2017 |
BCACP = Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist; BCPS = Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist; CPE = continuing pharmacy education.
Clinical pharmacists, Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacists (BCACPs), and Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialists (BCPSs) seeking continuing education credit must successfully complete the Web-based posttest for the respective program by the specified due dates.
More information on Oral Anticoagulants: Critical Appraisal of the Evidence and Implications for Patient Care is available at www.accp.com/bookstore/crsam14.aspx and, on Health Care–Associated Infections, at www.accp.com/bookstore/crsph14.aspx.
See also the 2013 editions of the Clinical Reasoning Series titled Pain, Agitation, and Delirium in the Intensive Care Unit (www.accp.com/bookstore/crsph13.aspx) and Evidence-Based Screening and Prevention Strategies (www.accp.com/bookstore/crsam13.aspx).