Glucagon for Diabetes: Overcoming Barriers for Optimal Management in the Long-Term Care Setting

This activity was originally presented at the 2024 ASCP Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Aurora, CO.

Program Description

Diabetes management requires a considerable amount of time, especially in long-term care settings. With nearly 20% of adults aged 65 and older in the US living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, there is a large population of long-term care residents at risk for hypoglycemic events. Health professionals within these settings, including pharmacists, must be equipped to quickly correct glucose imbalances and restore patients to full functioning. Glucagon, an important tool in diabetes management, has been underutilized due to its complicated administration. New formulations have simplified the glucagon administration regimen, making it more accessible and rapid-acting during hypoglycemic events. Long-term care pharmacists need to know how to use different glucagon products and provide support to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.

Target audience: Consultant pharmacists, specialty pharmacists, community pharmacists

Type of activity: Application
Release date: November 13, 2024
Expiration date: November 13, 2025

Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour

Learner level: Foundational, Intermediate
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Differentiate the severity levels of hypoglycemia and factors affecting symptom recognition in long-term care residents with diabetes
• Apply the most recent guideline updates for the identification and management of severe hypoglycemia with the use of glucagon
• Demonstrate competency with available pharmaceutical glucagon options and the proper preparation, administration techniques, and potential adverse effects of glucagon emergency kits in the long-term care setting
• Determine protocols for the safe storage and handling of glucagon emergency kits within a long-term care facility

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 1.0 contact hours (0.10 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-24-319-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through November 13, 2025.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, review the activity in its entirety, complete the posttest, and complete the online activity evaluation. After successful completion of the online activity evaluation, you can submit your credit to CPE Monitor. You may view your credit within 48 hours at www.mycpemonitor.net. All participants must request credit before the activity expiration date. CE credit will not be issued after this date.

Disclosures

Elizabeth Pogge, PharmD, MPH, BCPS, BCGP, FASCP, has the no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education^™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Crissy Wilson; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; Chloe Taccetta; and Rebecca Green have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

An anonymous peer reviewer was used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewers has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Educational Disclaimer
CPE activities are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or they may be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

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