Venous Thromboembolism Prevention: What Pharmacists Need to Know

Program Description
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) events can often occur in surgical patients within 6 weeks post discharge and are linked with serious health complications. Appropriate use of anticoagulant prophylaxis may diminish the risk of VTE, but despite the increasing incidence of VTE events in medically ill patients, VTE prophylaxis remains underutilized. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have emerged with a role in VTE treatment and prophylaxis due to their improved dosing and limited interactions, both of which are important considerations for pharmacists involved in transitions of care for patients at high risk for VTE. Identifying patients who can benefit from anticoagulation management and VTE prophylaxis post discharge is essential to reduce clinical and economic burden as well as decrease risk of VTE recurrence and long-term complications. Pharmacists have an important role in promoting the utilization of VTE prophylaxis during hospitalization according to guidelines from leading organizations. This activity will present pharmacists with tools to establish protocols and promote the utilization of DOACs for VTE prophylaxis in high-risk patients.

Target audience: Health-system pharmacists

Type of activity: Application
Release date: December 20, 2021
Expiration date: December 20, 2022

Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Investigate the burden of venous thromboembolism (VTE) events in acutely ill medical patients and the challenges and risks with this population post discharge

• Interpret the clinical data for the use of direct acting oral anticoagulants post discharge for extended duration thromboprophylaxis (EDT) for high-risk medically ill patients

• Examine available tools the pharmacist can use for patient risk assessment and stratification of EDT

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 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-21-445-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through December 20, 2022.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, view 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

Faculty

Craig Beavers, PharmD, has the following relevant financial relationship with a commercial interest to disclose:
Honoraria, Anticoagulation Forum

Allison Burnett, PharmD, has the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:
Honoraria, Anticoagulation Forum
Royalties, UptoDate chapter author
Advisory board, Pfizer

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff: Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Michelle C. Carlson; PharmD; Crissy Wilson; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Anonymous peer reviewers have been used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewers have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

The content of this activity may include information regarding the use of products that may be inconsistent with, or outside the approved labeling for, these products in the United States. Pharmacists should note that the use of these products outside current approved labeling is considered experimental and are advised to consult the prescribing information for these products.

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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[email protected]
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