A Window of Opportunity – Beta-Blocker Use in Decompensated Cirrhosis

February 22, 2023

The purpose of this activity is to equip pharmacists and pharmacist technicians with the latest updates in the literature regarding controversy in continued use of non-selective beta blockers in decompensated cirrhosis. Controversy began with the 2010 release of Serste et al. that displayed a 2-fold increase in mortality amongst patients with refractory ascites. This article sparked others to research use in varied populations to assess mortality benefit. By reviewing the literature, this presentation will summarize the use of non-selective beta-blockers in decompensated cirrhosis. 

Target Audience

This activity is intended for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. 

Learning Objectives

Pharmacists learning objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, pharmacists should be able to:

  • Evaluate the risks and benefits of non-selective beta blockers in patients with decompensated cirrhosis 
  • Determine an appropriate time to initiate non-selective beta blockers in patients with cirrhosis 
  • Identify an appropriate time to reduce or withdraw use of non-selective beta blockers in patients with advanced cirrhosis 

Pharmacy technician learning objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, pharmacy technicians should be able to:

  • Identify brand/generic non-selective beta blockers appropriate for use in patients with cirrhosis 

 

Additional Information

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 0.75 ACPE Pharmacist
  • 0.75 ACPE Pharmacy Technician
  • 0.75 General CE – Attendance
Course opens: 
02/22/2023
Course expires: 
04/08/2023
Event starts: 
02/22/2023 - 1:00pm CST
Event ends: 
02/22/2023 - 2:00pm CST
1504 Jefferson Highway
New Orleans, LA 70121
United States

Faculty

Audry Barrera, PharmD
PGY1/2 Health System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership Resident and Fellow
Ochsner Medical Center

Planning committee

Britta Mizuki, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Oncology Pharmacist
Ochsner Medical Center

Natalie Tucker, PharmD, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist- Neurocritical Care 
Ochsner Health

 

Identification, Mitigation, and Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships

As an accredited provider of continuing education, Vizient, Inc. is dedicated to ensuring this activity presents learners with only accurate, balanced, scientifically justified recommendations, and is free from promotion, marketing, and commercial bias. In accordance with The Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, all planners, faculty, and others in control of the educational content have disclosed the absence or existence of all financial relationships (of any dollar amount) with ineligible companies within the past 24 months.

It is Vizient’s policy that owners and employees of ineligible companies, and any individuals who refuse to disclose the absence or existence of financial relationships with any ineligible companies are disqualified from participating as planners or faculty.

Disclosure of Financial Relationships:

Absence of Relevant Financial Relationships

Vizient, Inc., Jointly Accredited for Interprofessional Continuing Education, defines companies to be ineligible as those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

An individual is considered to have a relevant financial relationship if the educational content an individual can control is related to the business lines or products of the ineligible company.

No one in a position to control the content of this educational activity have relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Statement of content validity

Vizient, Inc. educational activities are intended to assist healthcare teams advance their professional responsibilities in accordance with the definition of continuing education. It is the policy of Vizient, Inc. to review and ensure that all content and recommendations for patient care within accredited CE is evidenced-based, based on current science and clinical reasoning while ensuring the content is fair and balanced. All recommendations must conform to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Vizient, Inc. does not permit accredited continuing education if it advocates for unscientific approaches to diagnosis or therapy, or if the education promotes recommendations, treatment, or manners of practicing healthcare that are determined to have risks or dangers that outweigh the benefits or are known to be ineffective in the treatment of patients.

FDA off-label/unapproved usage

Faculty/Presenters are required to identify any new and evolving topics for which there is a lower/absence of evidence base. This is to ensure that our content does not advocate for, or promote, practices that are not, or not yet adequately based on current science, evidence, and clinical reasoning. Faculty/Presenters are required to disclose any discussion of (1) off-label/unapproved or investigational uses of FDA approved commercial products or devices and/or (2) products or devices not yet approved in the United States.

Disclaimer: The education provided through this activity is for continuing education purposes only. The views and opinions expressed in this activity are those of the faculty/presenters and do not necessarily reflect the views of Vizient, Inc.

 

Joint Providership Statement:

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Vizient, Inc. and Ochsner Medical Center. Vizient, Inc. is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Designation Statements:

PHARMACY

Vizient, Inc. designates this activity for a maximum of 0.75 ACPE credit hours.

Universal Activity Number: JA0006103-9999-23-018-L01-P

Universal Activity Number: JA0006103-9999-23-018-L01-T

OTHER

Vizient, Inc. will award all other healthcare professionals who successfully complete the activity a Certificate of Participation indicating the maximum credits available. Various state license boards and credentialing bodies accept certificates of participation from accredited CE activities to meet CE requirements for license renewals and re-certification. It is the responsibility of the participant to contact their state licensing board and/or certifying body for verification on credit eligibility reciprocity.

Available Credit

  • 0.75 ACPE Pharmacist
  • 0.75 ACPE Pharmacy Technician
  • 0.75 General CE – Attendance
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