TRC Healthcare | Insights Newsletter November 2023

Practice-Changing Updates

Clarify the Role of Antivirals for Outpatient Flu and COVID-19 Treatment

Pain Point: We’re heading into respiratory virus season with flu, COVID-19, RSV, and other viruses circulating. Patients are getting sick with COVID-19 or the flu and may need treatment with an antiviral.
Solution: Our Pharmacist’s Letter, Pharmacist’s Letter Canada, Hospital Pharmacist’s Letter, Prescriber’s Letter, Pharmacy Technician’s Letter, Pharmacy Technician’s Letter Canada, and Hospital Pharmacy Technician's’ Letter articles review when to consider treating COVID-19 or the flu with antivirals. We discuss when to treat COVID-19 and which patients benefit most. We also review treatment options for COVID-19 and specific medication considerations, discuss the treatment of influenza and which patients benefit most, and review specific medication considerations with flu antivirals. We provide two resources: 1. Antivirals for Influenza compares available antivirals for flu treatment and prevention; 2. Outpatient COVID-19 Treatment Options is an algorithm to help recommend a COVID-19 antiviral medication.

Community Topic: Help Sort Out Options to Prevent RSV in Infants

Pain Point: There are new prevention strategies for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants, and parents will need answers about the options. The RSV vaccine, Abrysvo, can now be given in pregnancy, and the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab (Beyfortus) can be given to infants under eight months entering their first RSV season.
Solution: Our Pharmacist’s Letter, Hospital Pharmacist’s Letter, Prescriber’s Letter, and Pharmacy Technician’s Letter articles answer questions about efficacy, side effects, and administration of RSV vaccines and nirsevimab. We discuss recommendations for the RSV vaccine in pregnant women and the use of nirsevimab in infants. Risks of using the RSV vaccine or nirsevimab are discussed and we also cover scenarios when nirsevimab should be given even if the mother got the RSV vaccine. Our resource, Preventing RSV, provides additional guidance on use of nirsevimab and how it compares to palivizumab and reviews the role of the new RSV vaccine.

Hospital Pharmacy: Be Ready to Manage Ketoacidosis Due to an SGLT2 Inhibitor

Pain Point: SGLT2 inhibitors (dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, etc.) are being used more commonly since most are now indicated for diabetes treatment, heart failure management, and renal protection. One serious adverse effect that can occur from their use is ketoacidosis. It can be harder to identify than traditional diabetic ketoacidosis.
Solution: Our Hospital Pharmacist’s Letter article walks readers through how to identify SGLT2 inhibitor-induced ketoacidosis and contrast it with traditional diabetic ketoacidosis. We also review treatment options and prevention strategies. Our resource, Hyperglycemia in the Hospital, gives a broader overview of the various treatments that are used for general management of elevated blood glucose during a hospital stay.

young woman holding a baby while talking to a female pharmacist

Addressing Questions About “Immune Boosters”

Pain Point: We are well in cold/flu/RSV season which leads to early pick-ups and kids missing school. Providers may be experiencing questions and concerns on keeping kids healthy.
Solution: Our NatMed article provides guidance on supplements touted to work as immune boosters. Commonly used ingredients such as vitamin C, zinc and echinacea are discussed when used in pediatric populations.

Addressing Questions About “Immune Boosters”

Pain Point: We are well in cold/flu/RSV season which leads to early pick-ups and kids missing school. Providers may be experiencing questions and concerns on keeping kids healthy.
Solution: Our NatMed article provides guidance on supplements touted to work as immune boosters. Commonly used ingredients such as vitamin C, zinc and echinacea are discussed when used in pediatric populations.

Product Spotlights

Last Chance! Access Our Final USP <797> Virtual Training for All Staff

We're down to our final virtual compounding training of the year, and we have a great group deal for your organization. Now through December, at an affordable flat rate you can send an unlimited number of staff members to our final session. This is the perfect time to invest in your team as end-of year spending is taking place. The final virtual training for 2023:

Best Practices for Environmental Monitoring: December 11-13, 2023

This three-day virtual training provides high-quality education on environmental monitoring requirements, sample incubation and reading, result interpretation, and more. Participants can earn up to 15.25 ACPE credits and engage in lively discussions and practical learning exercises.

Make sure your clinical teams are prepared to implement the revised USP chapters. Take advantage of this group deal now and enhance your team's expertise. Contact us today to make the most of your end-of-year spending!

Check Out the Latest NetCE Courses!

Our latest NetCE courses have been released for physicians, PAs, nursing professionals, therapists, social workers, dental professionals, and more. NetCE group subscribers should share these new courses with appropriate team members. Some of the new course topics include:

Maternal Health Disparities
Professional Boundaries in Mental Health Care
Clinical Management of Atrial Fibrillation
Nutrition and Oral Health
See full course list

Reach out today to learn more about NetCE for groups.

Easily Manage State Mandates & CME/CE On One Platform

NetCE helps your healthcare team fulfill their CME/CE requirements and meet state mandates while earning, tracking, and submitting CME/CE with ease—all in one place. Key features include:

2,800+ hours of unbiased and trusted CE written and reviewed by healthcare experts.
Tailored to various specialties including physicians, physician assistants, social workers, mental health, dental professionals, nurses, and more.
425+ courses covering a wide range of healthcare topics
Seamlessly maintain multi-state licenses
Mandated courses that are easy to identify
Instant certification and licensing upon course completion and automatic reporting to CE Broker and state boards

Request Information

Enhance Patient Outcomes with RxAdvanced: Diabetes Monitoring & Management

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As we close out National Diabetes Month, it’s the perfect time to elevate your pharmacy's diabetes care. RxAdvanced: Diabetes Monitoring & Management is a comprehensive, evidence-based training program that equips your pharmacists with the latest expertise to provide professional guidance on utilizing technology and pattern management for improved glycemic control. Offering six hours of ACPE-accredited training, this program includes 12 interactive, engaging courses ranging from utilizing SMBG to maximize patient outcomes to interpreting continuous glucose monitoring data and reports, optimizing diabetes management using CGM data, and more. See full program course curriculum.

RxAdvanced: Diabetes Monitoring & Management provides:

Administrator access to the Learning Management Portal to easily manage users, request assignments, run completion reports, and benchmark improvements
CE/CME & Training Organizer access for pharmacists to view assignments and track CE requirements for license renewal
Customizable options to suit your pharmacy's unique needs, providing tailored supplemental resources

National Diabetes Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive care, and our program is here to support your pharmacy's mission of providing exceptional patient care. Learn how RxAdvanced can enhance your pharmacy’s operations and improve patient care.

Medication Talk

Pharmacy Podcast

Listen in as we discuss current topics impacting medication therapy and patient care on our podcast, Medication Talk. As a Pharmacist’s Letter subscriber, you can get CE credit for listening. Please log in to your Pharmacist’s Letter account and look for the title of this podcast in the list of available CE courses.

Check out this month’s podcast, Managing Chronic Coronary Disease.

Listen to Medication Talk

keyboard, coffee, and phone with podcast displayed on screen

female pharmacy employee looking at a tablet while holding meds

Popular Charts

Hospital Pharmacist’s Letter: Pharmacotherapy of Acne
Hospital Pharmacy Technician’s Letter: COVID-19 Vaccines
Pharmacist’s Letter: Drugs for Type 2 Diabetes
Pharmacist’s Letter Canada: Comparison of Atypical Antipsychotics (Canada)
Pharmacy Technician’s Letter: Preventing RSV
Pharmacy Technician’s Letter Canada: Antibiotic Therapy: When Are Shorter Courses Better?
Prescriber’s Letter: New Drugs

Popular Charts

Hospital Pharmacist’s Letter: Pharmacotherapy of Acne
Hospital Pharmacy Technician’s Letter: COVID-19 Vaccines
Pharmacist’s Letter: Drugs for Type 2 Diabetes
Pharmacist’s Letter Canada: Comparison of Atypical Antipsychotics (Canada)
Pharmacy Technician’s Letter: Preventing RSV
Pharmacy Technician’s Letter Canada: Antibiotic Therapy: When Are Shorter Courses Better?
Prescriber’s Letter: New Drugs

Practice-Changing Updates

NatMed Update

Addressing Questions About “Immune Boosters”

Addressing Questions About “Immune Boosters”

Product Spotlights

Last Chance! Access Our Final USP <797> Virtual Training for All Staff

Check Out the Latest NetCE Courses!

Easily Manage State Mandates & CME/CE On One Platform

Enhance Patient Outcomes with RxAdvanced: Diabetes Monitoring & Management

Clinical Resources

Medication Talk

Pharmacy Podcast

Popular Charts

Popular Charts

Diabetes Resource Hub

About TRC Healthcare

TRC Healthcare provides unbiased education, training, and support to every healthcare professional to reduce knowledge gaps, encourage evidence-based practice, lower costs, and deliver better patient outcomes.