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Patient-Centered Prescribing and Monitoring for Opioid Safety


 

Texas Opioid Training Initiative

Patient-Centered Prescribing and Monitoring for Opioid Safety

This course is part of the Texas Opioid Training Initiative (TXOTI.org). It includes four unique video modules that examine prescribing and monitoring practices used to improve safety and care for patients taking opioid medications. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to complete all four modules to gain a full conceptual understanding of the topics discussed in this course. While the information in this activity has been specifically tailored to meet the needs of clinicians practicing in Texas by focusing on regional trends, laws and regulations, the core concepts are applicable to all healthcare professionals.


Modules

The following modules are included in this course.  To view more information about each module, scroll down and click the light blue tabs that appear below. Once you are registered and logged into the course, you will have access to course materials in each module tab below (e.g., video, slides, post-test, and evaluation).

  1. CDC’s 2022 Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain: the What and the Why
  2. Improving PMP Use in Clinical Practice
  3. Using the PMP and Communicating with Patients About Controlled Substance Prescriptions
  4. Gabapentinoid Misuse: An Unnerving New Trend

Format

Each module consists of a video (MP4 format) along with presentation slides (PDF format). Some modules also include links to additional references and resources as recommended by the presenter. All videos and presentation slides are accessible upon registering for the course (registration instructions listed further down the page). Learners may choose to take one or all of the modules. CE credit is awarded for each module that is completed. Completion of each module includes reviewing the course materials, completing the post-test (no minimum score), and submitting an evaluation. CE Credit will be listed on your CE certificate, which is accessed by clicking "View/Print CE Credit" listed at the top of the page.  The CE certificate remains available in the learner's CE profile for future access. NOTE: Pharmacy CE credit is automatically transmitted via CPE Monitor using the NABP e-profile ID entered during registration.


Faculty

Thank you to the following faculty who developed the content for this course. Faculty biographies and disclosure statements are listed in each module (see light blue tabs below).

  • Stefan G. Kertesz, MD, MSc, FASAM • Professor of Medicine, UAB Heersink School of Medicine
  • K. Ashley Garling-Nañez PharmD •  Clinical Assistant Professor, UT Austin College of Pharmacy
  • Kirk Evoy, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM, CTTS • Clinical Associate Professor, UT Austin College of Pharmacy

Financial Disclosure

This training is supported by Texas Targeted Opioid Response, a public health initiative operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission through federal funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, grant award number - H79TI085747. Click here to view the financial disclosure statements for the planning committee. The financial disclosure statement for each individual faculty member is available by clicking their respective module below (see light blue tabs below).


Continuing Education Information

ACPE Logo

The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.  This online activity is approved for 0.4 CEUs (4.0 contact hours) of continuing education credit. In order to earn 4.0 contact hours of CE credit, the participant must watch all videos in their entirety, complete the online post-tests (no minimum grade required), and complete the online evaluations. Pharmacy CE credit is automatically transmitted to CPE Monitor following completion of each module evaluation.  Please make sure your NABP profile and date of birth (month/year) were entered correctly when registering in this system.


The UT Health San Antonio Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Long School of Medicine designates this material for a maximum of 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™


The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Please note: CNE credit on these courses expires July 1, 2025.

Requirements for Successful Completion: To receive contact hours for this continuing education activity, the participant must sign in, view the entire activity, complete the post-test, and complete and submit the evaluation form. Once successful completion has been verified, a “Certificate of Successful Completion” will be awarded for 4.0 contact hours.

Conflicts of Interest: A conflict of interest occurs when an individual has an opportunity to affect or impact educational content with which he or she may have a commercial interest or a potentially biasing relationship of a financial nature. All planners and presenters/authors/content reviewers must disclose the presence or absence of a conflict of interest relative to this activity. The activity’s Nurse Planner has determined that the following planning committee member(s) and/or presenter(s)/author(s)/content reviewer(s) have a conflict of interest. These conflicts of interest have been appropriately resolved:

  • Lucas Hill, PharmD (planner) -  Community advisory board member of Hikma Specialty USA, Inc. Mitigation Plan: Peer review of planning decisions by persons without relevant financial relationships.
  • Stefan Kertesz, MD (speaker) -  owns stock in the following companies: Zimmer Biomet and Fisher Scientific. Dr. Kertesz has also received a speaking honorarium in the past from Wolters Kluwer. Mitigation Plan: Peer review of planning decisions by persons without relevant financial relationships.

Joint Provider Statement: This CNE activity has been jointly provided by University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing collaboratively with UT College of Pharmacy, UT San Antonio Medical School, and UT School of Social Work.


The Office of Professional Development at The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, and as such receives automatic approval as a continuing education provider by the Texas Board of Social Work Examiners under Texas Administrative Code, Title 22, Part 34. § 781.511(c). The program represented by this certificate was provided in accordance with the criteria and standards of the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, and has been approved for Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.  Please note that 1 hour = 1 CEU.  Complaints about this program may be made to TSBSWE  333 Guadalupe St, Tower 3, Room 900, Austin, TX 78701  •  512-305-7700 • 800-821-3205  bhec.texas.gov/texas-state-board-of-social-worker-examiners/


Registration (FREE)

  • Register for this activity using the BLUE button at the bottom of this page (NOTE: If you have not claimed CE credit through this UT Austin College of Pharmacy CE Site, you will be prompted to create a CE profile before you can proceed with registration).
  • After registration is complete, save your email & password and bookmark this page for easier access in the future.
  • Once you are logged in (your name appears in the top right of the screen), you will have access to course materials via the steps below.
  • Return Visits : Click login (upper right screen) and enter your email & password. Do NOT use the blue button to log back in. 

Steps to Complete Modules for CE Credit

Once you are logged in (your name appears in the top right of screen), follow the steps below to view course content and claim CE credit.

  • Select a module by clicking the title in the light blue tabs listed below.
  • View the video/slides listed in the module, under Presentation Materials.
  • After viewing the video/slides, take the POST-test (no minimum grade required).
  • Upon completing the post-test, submit the evaluation to earn CE credit.

Questions

If you have questions about course content or CE credit, please email the UT College of Pharmacy Continuing Education Office: UTpharmacyCE@austin.utexas.edu


Fee

$0.00

CE Hours

4.00

CE Units

0.400

Activity Type

  • Knowledge

Target Audience(s)

  • Advance Practice Nurses (CME)
  • Counselors
  • Nurse Practitoners (CME)
  • Nurses
  • Pharmacists
  • Pharmacy Technicians
  • Physician Assistant
  • Physicians
  • Psychologists
  • Social Workers

 

 

   

 

CDC's 2022 Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain: the What and the Why

 
Stefan G. Kertesz, MD, MSc, FASAM
Professor of Medicine
UAB Heersink School of Medicine
 
 

OVERVIEW

This module describes why CDC plays a role in providing guidance for prescribing opioids. It will review recommendations for deciding whether or not to prescribe opioids to a patient. Lastly, the activity discussess recommendations relating to short-term and long-term opioid therapy.


SPEAKER

Dr. Kertesz is an Associate Professor at University of Alabama, Birmingham. As a CARE Fellow Dr. Kertesz developed and submitted a NIDA K23 career development proposal, which was subsequently funded to investigate drug abuse in homeless persons. He has subsequently received independent funding for drug abuse research from NIDA (R01) and the VA.


SPEAKER DISCLOSURE  

Dr. Kertesz has the following financial relationships:

  • Dr. Kertesz owns stock in the following companies: Zimmer Biomet and Fisher Scientific
  • Dr. Kertesz has received a speaking honorarium in the past from Wolters Kluwer

Mitigation Statement:  All relevant financial relationships with eligible companies that are reported by planners and speakers have been mitigated prior to starting their roles in this activity. (as defined by the Standards for Integrity and Independence). 


LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Describe why CDC plays a major role in guidance for opioid prescribing.
  • Describe key recommendations related to deciding whether or not to offer opioids.
  • List key recommendations related to short-term and longer-term opioid therapy.

FUNDING DISCLOSURE

This project is funded by the Texas Targeted Opioid Response, an public health initiative operated by TX Health & Human Services.


Activity Number

0067-9999-23-001-H01-P

Release Date: Jul 1, 2023
Credit Expiration Date: Jul 1, 2026

CE Hours

1.00
   

   

 

Improving PMP Use in Clinical Practice

 
Dr. K. Ashley Garling-Nañez Pharm.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor
The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy
 
 

OVERVIEW

This module reviews the recommended and required use of the Texas Prescription Drug Monitoring Program when prescribing or dispensing opioid medications. The activity describes best practices for using Narx Scores in clinical decision making and how the information can be used to motivate patients to make healthy changes in behavior.


SPEAKER

Dr. Ashley Garling graduated Rho Chi with honors from the MCV/Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy. Her career path went from community pharmacy management, inpatient pharmacy with an oncology focus, to corporate clinical coordinator, and media spokeswoman. She is now a clinical assistant professor at The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy where she serves as a communication, media, and patient engagement specialist. Dr. Garling is the principal investigator (PI) and Co-PI for research projects in community pharmacy settings spanning from telehealth, HIV PrEP, mental health, patient counseling, and medication adherence.  She currently serves as president of the Capital Area Pharmacist Association, Affairs Public Policy Council Member, and Public Policy Council Member of the Texas Pharmacist Association.  Her career pillars are focused on public activation, empowerment of underheard voices, and health education. In 2020-21, Dr. Garling was awarded the Dr. Carolyn Brown DEAI Champion Award and the 2021 Teaching Excellency Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to diversity, inclusion, and pharmacy education. 


SPEAKER DISCLOSURE

Ashley Garling does not have any relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies (as defined by the Standards for Integrity and Independence).


LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Review recommended use and laws surrounding the Texas Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.
  • Explore clinical decision making using the Narx Scores.
  • Discuss updates to your Naloxone offer, using Substance Use Disorder Dialects, and using the actual Narx Scores to motivate patients to make healthy changes in behavior with controlled substances.
  • Review best practices for documentation of Narx Score interventions and decisions.

FUNDING DISCLOSURE

This project is funded by the Texas Targeted Opioid Response, an public health initiative operated by TX Health & Human Services.


CE DETAILS

Activity Number

0067-0000-23-073-H08-P/T

Release Date: Jul 1, 2023
Credit Expiration Date: Jul 1, 2026

CE Hours

1.00
   

   

Using the PMP and Communicating with Patients About Controlled Substance Prescriptions

 
Dr. K. Ashley Garling-Nañez Pharm.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor
The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy
 
 

OVERVIEW

This activity reviews the use of the Texas PMP to monitor patients when prescribing and dispensing opioid medications. The activity offers strategies for communicating PMP findings with patients in a non-threatening or judgemental manner, including the review of scenarios that clinicians have likely experienced in their own practice.


SPEAKER

Dr. Ashley Garling graduated Rho Chi with honors from the MCV/Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy. Her career path went from community pharmacy management, inpatient pharmacy with an oncology focus, to corporate clinical coordinator, and media spokeswoman. She is now a clinical assistant professor at The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy where she serves as a communication, media, and patient engagement specialist. Dr. Garling is the principal investigator (PI) and Co-PI for research projects in community pharmacy settings spanning from telehealth, HIV PrEP, mental health, patient counseling, and medication adherence.  She currently serves as president of the Capital Area Pharmacist Association, Affairs Public Policy Council Member, and Public Policy Council Member of the Texas Pharmacist Association.  Her career pillars are focused on public activation, empowerment of underheard voices, and health education. In 2020-21, Dr. Garling was awarded the Dr. Carolyn Brown DEAI Champion Award and the 2021 Teaching Excellency Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to diversity, inclusion, and pharmacy education. 


SPEAKER DISCLOSURE

Ashley Garling does not have any relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies (as defined by the Standards for Integrity and Independence).


LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Review recommended use and laws surrounding the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program.
  • Introduce the “RAISED” acronym for elevating communication.
  • Discuss using non-stigmatized and inclusive language.
  • Practice making educated language decisions that address common situations around controlled substances.

FUNDING DISCLOSURE

This project is funded by the Texas Targeted Opioid Response, an public health initiative operated by TX Health & Human Services.


CE DETAILS

Activity Number

0067-0000-23-074-H08-P/T

Release Date: Jul 1, 2023
Credit Expiration Date: Jul 1, 2026

CE Hours

1.00
   

   

 

Gabapentinoid Misuse: An Unnerving New Trend

 
Kirk Evoy, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM, CTTS
Clinical Associate Professor
College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin
 
 

OVERVIEW

This activity takes a look at trends in the use of gabapentinoids for pain. It identifies signs to monitor that may indicate a patient is misusing gabapentin and how to help mitigate harmful effects for the patient. 


SPEAKER

Kirk E. Evoy is a Clinical Associate Professor in the College of Pharmacy at The University of Texas at Austin, as well as an Adjoint Assistant Professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. In addition to his teaching and research responsibilities within the college, Dr. Evoy also cares for patients as an ambulatory pharmacist within the University Health System in San Antonio. Dr. Evoy completed his Pre-pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy coursework at Purdue University. Upon completion of pharmacy school, he went on to complete a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in Madison, Wisconsin followed by a PGY2 Ambulatory Care Residency at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, Indiana. In addition to his residency training, Dr. Evoy completed two teaching certificate programs and a Certificate of Added Training in Global Health, and has earned Board Certification as an Ambulatory Care Pharmacist (BCACP), Advanced Diabetes Manager (BC-ADM), and Tobacco Treatment Specialist (CTTS).  Dr. Evoy’s primary areas of research include substance use disorders and smoking cessation. 


SPEAKER DISCLOSURE

Kirk Evoy does not have any relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies (as defined by the Standards for Integrity and Independence).


LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Identify misuse potential of gabapentin (GBP) and trends in the prevalence of GBP misuse, with or without opioids.
  • Distinguish patients with the highest risk of future GBP misuse based on comorbid conditions and concomitant medications.
  • Describe potential medical harm resulting from GBP misuse, both alone and with concomitant opioids.
  • Evaluate potential means of assisting healthcare personnel in identifying and mitigating GBP misuse.

FUNDING DISCLOSURE

This project is funded by the Texas Targeted Opioid Response, an public health initiative operated by TX Health & Human Services.


CE DETAILS

Activity Number

0067-0000-23-075-H08-P/T

Release Date: Jul 1, 2023
Credit Expiration Date: Jul 1, 2026

CE Hours

1.00