Keeping Pediatric Patients Safe: Pediatric Safety Considerations for Community Pharmacists

Pediatric patients are not only at an increased risk of adverse events, but they are also more likely to experience severe harm when adverse events occur. Unpredictable pharmacokinetics, off-label prescribing, and unintuitive dosing are just some of the complexities of treating the pediatric patient.

Community pharmacists play a pivotal role in ensuring that prescriptions are safe and effective for our pediatric population. This 5-part CCCEP-accredited e-Learning program will provide community pharmacists the fundamentals of assessing pediatric prescriptions, doing common calculations, identifying, and managing high-risk areas in your practice, as well as effectively educating patients and caregivers. Co-designed with the input of pediatric specialists, clinical pharmacists, community pharmacists and consumers, and based on medication incidents from 2016-2021, the topics selected are pertinent to present-day pharmacy practice.

Each module is 30-40 minutes in length – modules can be completed all at once or one at a time. Total duration is about 2.5 to 3 hours. To obtain a statement of completion and continuing education units, completion of the course test and evaluation is required. The program includes links to guidance from pharmacy regulatory authorities across Canada, where available.

The Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy (CCCEP) has accredited this program for 2.5 CEUs for pharmacists; CCCEP # 1231-2022-3399-I-P.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Identify pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic differences between pediatric and adult patients
2. Explain the patient care process when reviewing pediatric prescriptions
3. Discuss common calculations used in pediatrics (that may be tricky/difficult)
4. Identify high risk medications in pediatrics that require heightened vigilance
5. Describe medication incidents that have occurred and approaches to prevent incidents in the future
6. Describe counselling tips around safe storage and disposal of pediatric medications

Who should take this program?

Pharmacists, pharmacy residents, and pharmacy students.

Program cost:

$150 + applicable taxes/person

(For group or student registration, please contact education@ismpcanada.ca for discounted rates)

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact education@ismpcanada.ca