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Managing Chronic Constipation in Your Facility: Addressing Challenges, Outlining Interdisciplinary Protocols, and Tailoring Treatment Plans Release Date: March-15-10 UAN: 203-999-10-002-C01-P This activity has been developed specifically for medical directors, consultant pharmacists, directors of nursing, nurse practitioners, and other physicians, pharmacists, and nurses in long-term care settings. 1 Audioconference Severe constipation is not a benign condition; it can dramatically impact quality of life and lead to serious medical problems. Residents in long-term care are at particular risk, due to additional chronic disease burdens, immobility, and/or functional limitations. Effective management of chronic constipation in long-term care facilities requires the attention of the entire interdisciplinary team. Each member of the team, from the medical director to the nurses' assistant, plays a crucial role, and each member of the team must understand how his or her role impacts patient care and outcomes. Effective management requires a combination of provider and patient education, lifestyle or pharmacologic modifications, and the judicious use of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies. This activity will identify the barriers to optimal management of chronic constipation and highlight effective strategies for overcoming them. The activity will describe interdisciplinary approaches to care and provide examples of treatment plans tailored for individual patients, and institutional bowel protocols. Through collaborative efforts, the interdisciplinary team can help lessen the healthcare burdens attributable to chronic constipation and significantly improve the lives of the older adults in their care. Upon completion of this knowledge-based educational activity, the participant should be able to: 1. Evaluate interdisciplinary strategies to overcome common barriers that hinder the optimal management of chronic constipation in the LTC setting 2. Identify the key components of a facility-wide approach to managing chronic constipation 3. Describe the implementation of appropriate bowel protocols in LTC settings 4. Outline the elements of treatment plans that can be tailored for individual patients for chronic constipation to prevent severe complications Michael R. Brodeur, PharmD, CGP, FASCP Associate Professor Department of Pharmacy Practice Albany College of Pharmacy Albany, New York Naushira Pandya MD, CMD Associate Professor and Chair Department of Geriatrics Director, Geriatrics Education Center Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Eric G. Tangalos, MD, FACP, AGSF, CMD Professor of Medicine and Chair (Emeritus) Primary Care Internal Medicine Mayo Clinic College of Medicine Medical Director Samaritan Bethany Heights Skilled Nursing Center Rochester, Minnesota It is the policy of ASCP, AKH Inc, and NADONA/LTC to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in all of their continuing education activities. The faculty must disclose to the participants any significant relationships with commercial interests whose products or devices may be mentioned in the activities or with the commercial supporter of these continuing education activities. Identified conflict of interest is resolved by the providers prior to accreditation of the activities. ASCP, AKH Inc, and NADONA/LTC planners and reviewers have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Dr. Brodeur, Dr. Pandya, and Dr. Tangalos have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Pharmacy Continuing Education: The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity (UAN 203-999-10-002-C01-P) was developed by ASCP and is approved for 1.0 Contact Hour (0.1 CEU). Continuing Medical Education: 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 AKH Inc. and Medical Communications Media, Incorporated. AKH Inc. is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. AKH Inc. designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Nurse Practitioner Continuing Education: AKH Inc. is accredited by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners as an approved provider of nurse practitioner continuing education. Provider number 030803. AKH Inc. designates this educational activity for 1 contact hour. Nursing Continuing Education: NADONA/LTC is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by Georgia Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation #1088. This activity provides 1 contact hour by NADONA/LTC. Participants must successfully complete the post test (70% or higher) and submit an evaluation to receive credit. A statement of credit will be available immediately if the post-test and evaluation are completed online, or mailed within 4-6 weeks if they are submitted by mail. There is no fee to participate in this activity. Supported by an educational grant from Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. $0.00