Optimizing Long-Term Outcomes with Kidney Anti-rejection Therapies

• Release date: March 10, 2010
• Expiration date: August 31, 2011
• Estimated time to complete activity: 3.0 hours

Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of transplant physicians, nephrologists, primary care physicians, registered nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists responsible for routine care and follow up of transplant patients.

Statement of Need/Program Overview

The immunosuppression paradigm is rapidly changing. A decade ago, renal transplant immunosuppression was remarkably homogeneous. Now, due to the advent of new agents and innovative combinations, positive results can be achieved with many different approaches. The ongoing challenge is to translate this rapidly developing information into clinically applicable protocols that best serve the interests of recipients. Many of the complications of transplant treatment are related to immuno¬suppression. Therefore, a common goal in the development of emerging immunosuppressive strategies is to maintain efficacy and minimize toxicities related to these immunosuppressant compounds. The continuing increase in the number of renal transplant patients has necessitated the shifting of post-transplant care to community-based physician practices. Consequently, it is incumbent on these nephrologists, internists, primary care physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other renal transplant health care professionals to remain current on the new and evolving immunosuppressive regimens.

Educational Objectives

After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

• Identify common immunosuppressive agents used for the acute and long-term immunosuppression of the renal transplant patient
• Outline the risks and benefits of widely used immunosuppressive protocols for short- and long-term immunosuppression in renal transplantation
• Discuss management strategies that address potential long-term complications of renal transplantation and immunosuppressive therapy
• List collaborative care recommendations for community-based practitioners in the management of immunosuppression of renal transplant recipients

Faculty

Stuart M. Flechner, MD, FACS
Professor of Surgery
Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute
Transplant Center
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
Bio

Donald E. Hricik, MD
Professor of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Medical Director, Transplant Service
Director, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension
University Hospitals of Cleveland
Bio

Stanley Jordan, MD
Director, Kidney Transplantation and Transplant Immunology
Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Center
Bio

Physician Continuing Medical Education

Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) and Impact Education, LLC. PIM is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Pharmacist Continuing Education

Accreditation Statement

Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

Credit Designation
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this continuing education activity for 3.0 contact hours (0.30 CEUs) of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. (Universal Program Number –809-999-09-107-H01-P)

Nursing Continuing Education

Credit Designation
This educational activity for 3.0 contact hours is provided by Postgraduate Institute for Medicine.

Accreditation Statements

Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

California Board of Registered Nursing
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 13485 for 3.6 contact hours.

Fee Information
There is no fee for this educational activity.

Type of Activity

Knowledge

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) assesses conflict of interest with its instructors, planners, managers and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of CME activities. All relevant conflicts of interest that are identified are thoroughly vetted by PIM for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies utilized in this activity, and patient care recommendations. PIM is committed to providing its learners with high quality CME activities and related materials that promote improvements or quality in healthcare and not a specific proprietary business interest of a commercial interest.

The faculty reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:

The planners and managers reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME activity:

The following PIM planners and managers, Linda Graham, RN, BSN, BA, Jan Hixon, RN, BSN, MA, Trace Hutchison, PharmD, Julia Kirkwood, RN, BSN and Jan Schultz, RN, MSN, CCMEP hereby state that they or their spouse/life partner do not have any financial relationships or relationships to products or devices with any commercial interest related to the content of this activity of any amount during the past 12 months.

Method of Participation

There are no fees for participating and receiving CME credit for this activity. During the period March 10, 2010 through August 31, 2011, participants must 1) read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures; 2) study the educational activity; 3) complete the online post test; 4) complete the online evaluation form. Upon successful completion of the post test (70% or better) and evaluation form, an online certificate will be made available immediately.

You may also download, print, and complete the evaluation form, with post test answer key, and mail or fax to Postgraduate Institute for Medicine. Upon successful completion of the activity evaluation form and a completed posttest with a score of 70% or better, a statement of credit will be mailed to you within 3 weeks.

Media

Internet

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use

This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM), Impact Education, LLC and Wyeth do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.

The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of PIM, Impact Education, LLC and Wyeth. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Disclaimer

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient's conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer's product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.