President's Message: A Look Back

I’m shocked this will be the last newsletter I will write as MSHP President.  It’s been an exciting year with plenty of activities to keep the entire organization engaged.  I commend the entire organization for the accomplishments achieved this year and the obstacles overcome.  It was shortly after I took over as President that a devastating tornado ripped through Joplin, taking out one hospital and leaving a community to deal with this natural disaster. The pharmacy community came to the aid of Joplin.  This assistance ranged from action by the MO Board of Pharmacy, BNDD, Schools of Pharmacy, Missouri Pharmacy Association, ASHP and many other individuals.  ASHP has also bestowed upon St. John’s Regional Medical Center and Freeman Hospital the honor of the ASHP EVP Courageous Service Award which will be presented at the Spring Meeting this year.

Also, shortly after my term started, we transitioned over to a new management group, Centric Management and Consulting.  We also completed documentation and were subsequently approved to remain an affiliate of ASHP.  This is the first time MSHP has done this since initially becoming an affiliate of ASHP.  By this time of the year, which was during the completion of summer, we were on the ground running and working with the latest strategic plan.  The strategic plan set for this year was very aggressive and has required a tremendous amount of work on behalf of the board and MSHP committees. Please, when you see someone that sits on one of the committees or the board of directors, commend them for their accomplishments.  They have done an excellent job!

One major task that the board has worked on this year has been an intense evaluation of the Constitution, Bylaws and Policy and Procedures.  In consultation with past MSHP Presidents, current board members and ASHP, some changes are being proposed in the ballots you are receiving this month at the same time the ballots for President-Elect and Treasurer are being disseminated.  In addition to minor modifications to the Constitution, Bylaws and Policy and Procedures, there are a few recommended changes I feel should be specifically mentioned.  The first change is to create two new positions on the board in order to keep the organization efficient while at the same time being progressive.  These two proposed board positions are for a Treasurer-Elect and a Technician Director.  In addition to these new positions, the other significant proposed modification is to the membership structure.  The proposal is for all members to be MSHP members with the opportunity to join a local affiliate.  This will eliminate the opportunity to be an affiliate-only member.  The board felt this is an essential step in order to be progressive in our state, especially when there is activity at the state level that would impact health-system pharmacy.

I will be forever indebted to MSHP for the invaluable experiences.  Thank you all for the wonderful time!  I specifically want to thank the current board, past MSHP Presidents, specifically Neil Schmidt, as well as Steve Calloway and Bert McClary for their unending volunteering and desire to improve the profession of pharmacy.  I look forward to what the future holds for MSHP.  I see a lot of potential within the organization which can emanate change throughout the state to make the profession of pharmacy even stronger. 

At the Annual Spring Meeting, Daniel Good will be taking over as President.  I know Daniel will do an excellent job at the helm of the organization.  Daniel has served as Public Policy Committee Chair and recently as President-Elect.  He is a great leader and always provides excellent input to whatever is being contemplated by the organization. 

Thank you all again.  I look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting in Kansas City, April 19-21.

Featured Articles

Bushmeat: A Source of Zoonotic Disease
By 
Diana Galant and Layne Hawkins, Pharm.D. Candidates 2013, Tatum Mead, Pharm.D., UMKC School of Pharmacy

In the last decade, there has been an increase in the number of cases of zoonotic diseases in the United States. Zoonotic diseases are those which can be transmitted from animals to humans. They are caused by an array of bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Some examples include Bubonic Plague, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The worldwide increase in incidence of zoonotic disease is mainly due to human settlement in areas where animal populations and parasites were previously isolated from humans and from the increase in ownership of domesticated animals. In the past couple years, a new mode of transmission for zoonotic diseases has emerged. Human handling and consumption of bushmeat, defined as “the use of wild animals for food, ranging from cane rats to gorillas,” has been cited as a source for several zoonotic diseases in Africa. Although not commonly consumed in the United States, increased illegal importation and consumption of bushmeat could pose a serious threat to the health of the general population.  Read More

Association Between Proton Pump Inhibitors and Clostridium Difficile
By Lauren Petrik and Nicholas Hellebusch, Pharm.D. Candidates 2013, Tatum Mead, Pharm.D., UMKC School of Pharmacy

Clostridium difficile, more commonly known as C. diff, is a gram positive anaerobic spore forming bacteria that is responsible for the most common cause of hospital associated diarrhea. In 2005, eighty-four in every one-hundred thousand hospitalized patients developed C. diff and twenty thousand patients were diagnosed with C. diff in an outpatient setting. The mortality rate for elderly, frail patients with a confirmed diagnosis of C. diff is estimated to be as high as 25%. In the general population, C. diff can lead to death, increased length of hospital stay and costs by as much as $5,000 per patient over the 180 days following the diagnosis of C. diff. Established risk factors for the development of C. diff include recent antibiotic use (≤ previous 90 days; particularly exposure to antibiotics shown to increase the risk of C. diff such as clindamycin, fluroquinolones, 3rd generation cephalosporins and ampicillin), an extended period of time spent in a healthcare facility (>14 days), increased age (>65 years old), serious underlying illness (immunocompromised patients such as those with HIV or receiving chemo), and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use. The correlation between PPI use and greater patient susceptibility to the development of C. diff has been controversial. Data suggests there is a link between PPI use and both increased C. diff development and reoccurrence rates. A reoccurrence rate of up to 42% has been shown for patients exposed to PPIs and antibiotics within 15-90 days following C. diff treatment.  Read More

Newly Discovered Toxin - Potential for a More Targeted Approach to Treating MRSA Infection
By Emily Lindsay and Michael Clark, Pharm.D. Candidates 2013, Tatum Mead, Pharm.D., UMKC School of Pharmacy

Infections occur by the invasion and multiplication of microbes into human tissues. In the healthcare field today, many bacteria are associated with causing infections and establishing resistance to antibiotic therapy. One bacterial strain in particular, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), has become resistant to beta-lactams, such as oxacillin, penicillin, amoxicillin and methicillin, rendering these infections more difficult to treat.  Read More

Treatment of Uncomplicated Cystitis
By Chris Sisson, Pharm.D, Michael Kallenberger, Pharm.D, BCPS

Cystitis, also known as a urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common bacterial infection in women, accounting for up to 8 million physician visits per year.  Annual incidence rates among women 18-39 years old are 15%. [1] Cystitis is one of the most common indications for antimicrobial therapy among an otherwise healthy population.  Thus, efficacy as well as the potential for collateral and ecological damage (selection of multidrug resistant organisms, colonization or infection with multidrug-resistant organisms) must be considered when choosing an antimicrobial agent.  Read More

MSHP R&E Foundation Report

The MSHP Research and Education Foundation will be very busy at the upcoming KCHP/MSHP Annual Meeting.  The Foundation will be presenting the 2012 Best Practice Award, recognizing innovation and outstanding performance in a pharmacy directed initiative.  The themes for the 2012 award focused on improving patient care through innovative disease state focused clinical initiatives and medication safety.  The recipient of the award will have a poster detailing the program’s implementation and impact on patient care on display throughout the meeting.  To further recognize the Best Practice Award winner, the R&E Foundation Board will host the 2nd Annual awards ceremony and breakfast at 7:00am on Friday, April 20th.  Space for this event is limited, so register today.  We look forward to seeing fantastic attendance at the ceremony.

We hope everyone will join us for the Poster Reception on Friday afternoon at 3:45 pm.  Pharmacists and pharmacy students from around the state will be sharing outcomes from their research projects.  The poster session is an excellent opportunity for seasoned pharmacists, new practitioners, residents, technicians and students alike to gather new insights, share ideas with others, and network.  The 35 Missouri posters that will be on display at the meeting will be judged in either the original, encore or student presentation categories with awards for these three categories being presented prior to the keynote address on Saturday, April 21st.

The R&E Foundation will also be sponsoring a research education session on the topic of “Practical Approaches to Take in Initiating and Developing a Research Project” on Friday, April 20th from 11am-12pm.  Mark Patterson, Ph.D., MPH Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Pharmacy and Kristin Repp, Pharm.D., BCPS, Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator, Saint Luke's Northland Hospital will serve as faculty.  If you’re a new practitioner or just wanting to hone your research skills, be sure to mark this session on your meeting schedule for attendance!

After the Spring Meeting, the Research and Education Foundation will begin planning the activities for the next fiscal year.  In doing so, we will need to fill two openings on the R&E Foundation Board of Directors.  The terms of Paul Juang and Julie Murphy will be ending; we greatly appreciate their years of service.  If you are interested in potentially serving on the Board of Directors, please contact Monica Schaefer.

The R&E Foundation is instrumental in providing pharmacist educational opportunities in Missouri.  Moving forward we will be expanding research education opportunities for Missouri practitioners.  Initiatives like those described above and future endeavors require support from MSHP members.  If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to the R&E Foundation, you may do so by going to our website, or by stopping by the registration desk at the Annual Meeting.  Donors will receive a badge ribbon recognizing support at the KCHP/MSHP Annual Meeting!

MSHP News

ASHP Appoints MSHP Members to Various Commissions
The 2012-2013 ASHP Appointments have been announced and MSHP members have been appointed to a variety of commissions and councils.  Congratulations to the following MSHP members who received appointments:

  • Brad Cook - Commission on Affiliate Relations
  • Daniel Good - Council on Pharmacy Management
  • Melissa Heigham - Commission on Credentialing
  • Joel Hennenfent - Commission on Therapeutics

Exhibit Space Still Available for KCHP/MSHP Annual Meeting 2012
Exhibit booth space is still available for the KCHP/MSHP Annual Meeting 2012 in Kansas City in April.  Any company wishing to exhibit needs to register in advance.  KCHP members are encouraged to pass along the information and online registration link to vendors in their facilities.  Exhibit registration is available here.

Former MSHP President Challenges Members to Donate to R&E Foundation
The passing of former MSHP President Amy Sipes' brother due to leukemia has led another MSHP President to issue a challenge to all MSHP members.  "I am making a donation to the MSHP R+E Foundation in Amy's name," said Jane Tennis, past MSHP President.  "Amy has been a strong active MSHP member who has served the state and GKCHP in numerous capacities as well as the pharmacy profession.  This past year, she was a strong advocate for Bone Marrow registration on behalf of her brother.  I challenge and encourage all of MSHP members to donate to the R+E Foundation to advance the pharmacy profession, then go out and register for the Bone Marrow transplant program.  It takes only a few minutes of your time and you could save a LIFE.  God Bless you all and thank you."  Members wanting to meet Tennis' challenge can do so by visiting the online donation form for the Foundation.

MSHP Submits Recommendations to MOBOP
When the Missouri Board of Pharmacy (MOBOP) solicited input from MSHP to identify areas of concern for pharmacy practice in the health-system setting, no time was wasted in crafting a response.  In early March, MSHP submitted several suggestions to the Board.  Read the suggestions submitted to MOBOP.  Additionally, MSHP recommended the Board consider creating special task forces or workgroups with a broad diversity of individuals which can review and make recommendations to the Board at its request.

KCHP/MSHP/GKCSHP Partner on Successful Student Workshop
A packed room of pharmacy students greeted facilitator Jeff Little during the ASHP Student Leadership Workshop, sponsored by KCHP, MSHP and GKCSHP.  The event, held during a February evening at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, offered an hour of lecture, followed by breakout tasks and final presentations by students.  Approximately 45 students from the KU School of Pharmacy and the UMKC School of Pharmacy discussed various topics of interest and were treated to hands-on interaction with leadership from all three organizations.  Mark Woods of Saint Luke's kicked off the event by thanking the students for working so diligently to become the leaders of the next generation of pharmacy.  Other facilitators for the event included KCHP Education Committee Co-Chair Amber Lucas, MSHP President Brad Cook and GKCSHP President Kim Day.


Jeff Little and Amber Lucas address a packed room of pharmacy students.

Smith Receives Rho Chi Award
Andy Smith, Pharm.D., BCPS (AQ-CV), has received Rho Chi Society National Faculty Advisor Award.  The purpose of the Rho Chi Society National Faculty Advisor Award is to recognize the unique contributions and accomplisments of outstanding faculty advisors. The award is also intended to serve as a model for other advisors to stimulate chapter activities, diligence, and punctuality. One award is made annually.  "I am extremely excited and humbled to receive this award," said Smith.  "I am especially delighted to have been nominated by the current UMKC chapter president with support letters from the last two past presidents.  I have been fortunate to work with outstanding student leaders to make this award a possibility."  The selection criteria for the award include: sustained record of helping to build leadership in Chapter officers for at least two years, stimulation of students to develop unique Chapter programs, perseverance to assist in building a strong chapter and punctuality in submitting reports and materials to the National Office.  MSHP congratulates Smith on this prestigious accomplishment!

MSHP Welcomes New Members!

January
Lynn Anliker, Pharmacist
Megan Austin, Student, Truman Medical Center
Tiffany Bellach, Technician, Saint Luke’s Hospital - Kansas City
Kristin Fish, Recent Graduate, University of Missouri Health Care
Mollie Gowan, Pharmacist, Saint Luke’s Hospital - St. Louis
Dinh Nguyen, Pharmacist, Saint Luke’s Hospital / Cushing Memorial Hospital
John Rawson, Pharmacist, Heartland Regional Medical Center
Lindsey Riegel, Technician, Saint Luke’s Hospital - Kansas City

February
James Baker, Pharmacist, North Kansas City Hospital
Joe Blunck, Pharmacist, Saint Luke’s Hospital - Kansas City
Kedra Blunck, Pharmacist, Saint Luke’s Hospital - Kansas City
Jared Butler, Pharmacist, Mercy Hospital Springfield
Helen Groh, Pharmacist, Mercy Hospital Springfield
Frank Mistretta, Pharmacist, Mercy Hospital Springfield
Lindsey Nelson, Student, Saint Luke’s Hospital - Kansas City
Julie Rich, Technician
Elizabeth Rodman, Student
Christopher Schmidt, Pharmacist

March
Patricia McCombs, Technician
Michael Oberzan, Pharmacist, Mercy McCune Brooks - Carthage
Ethan Osborn, Student
Monica Sanders, Technician, Saint Luke’s Hospital - Kansas City
Carrie Tarr, Technician

GKCSHP Report

A Message from the GKCSHP Executive Board
In order to provide the quality CE programming and dinner we have grown accustomed to over the years, GKC has relied on independent medical education grants from the industry. Over the last two years, this grant money has become less available to our organization along with those at the state and national level. The executive board would like to continue providing monthly CE programs and dinner for our members. We will continue to pursue every avenue available in order to obtain funding for our programs, however going forward, we will begin charging a small fee for each member attending a CE program. The fee may be submitted at the time of registration for the event. A link will be provided in meeting announcement emails. The fee structure is listed in the table below.

Active Member Advance Registration (credit card) $10
Active Member Fee Paid at the Door (cash or check) $15
Non-Member (credit card online, cash or check at the door) $20

Technician Involvement
The GKCSHP executive board would like to announce the appointment of the position of Technician Liaison to Gwyn Collier, CPhT, MCPhT, MBA. Gwyn has nearly 30 years of experience in pharmacy and is currently an adjunct instructor for a local college program for pharmacy technicians. We are very excited about this new position and the possibilities it brings to better serve our technician members.

April Meeting
The April meeting is scheduled for April 19th, 2012. Details to follow in the April announcement email.

 

MSHP Job Listings

 

Cardiovascular Specialty Pharmacist
CoxHealth - Springfield, MO
CoxHealth is seeking a Cardiovascular Specialty Pharmacist for our Springfield location. CoxHealth has been named one of the nation's Top 100 Integrated Healthcare Networks by SDI (formerly Verispan) seven times. We are about caring for our community by being Experts. Friends. Neighbors. That makes us the region's choice for health care. We are looking for qualified individuals who represent our PARTNERS values.  Read More

Inpatient Pharmacy Manager
University of Missouri Health Care - Columbia, MO
University of Missouri Health Care has 2 opportunities available for an Inpatient Pharmacy Manager. The position will manage the operational, clinical, and personnel activities of the Inpatient Pharmacy for University Hospital or Women & Children's Hospital. A highly competitive salary, outstanding benefits package, which includes generous retirement, vacation plans, & tuition assistance for employees & family members. Contact Allison at 573-882-6920 for more information.  Read More

View more jobs at the MSHP Career Center.

 

 

ASHP News

ASHP Disappointed With Statement On Pharmacists By Family Physicians
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recently released a position paper that seeks to define the role of pharmacists in working with family physicians. The paper, entitled “Pharmacists,” expresses a number of views that do not reflect contemporary pharmacy practice or the central tenets of interdisciplinary patient care that are supported by a number of physician organizations and other prominent health care groups. Although the position paper acknowledges the value of the patient care pharmacists provide through collaborative drug therapy management (CDTM), it goes on to state that in the context of prescribing “the pharmacy professional is in the position to dispense the prescription written by the physician.” This statement fails to recognize that under CDTM agreements and hospital privileging that pharmacists routinely initiate and modify drug therapy as integrated members of the patient care team.  ASHP plans to work with colleagues in other pharmacy professional associations to respond to this statement and will request a meeting with AAFP leadership to discuss the position paper.  Read More

CDC Offers Free Online CE on Antibiotic Resistance
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Get Smart: Knowing When Antibiotics Work program has announced a free, ACPE accredited CE program titled Weighing in on Antibiotic Resistance: Community Pharmacists Tip the Scale. This one hour CE is directed at practicing community, outpatient, or ambulatory care pharmacists. The CE program is available by visiting the CDC website.

Pharmacy News

Teva Recalls Medroxyprogesterone
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. is recalling several lots of the company's medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable suspension vials and syringes because they contain silicone particles, according to FDA's Enforcement Report dated January 18.  Read More

New Drug Treats Toxic Methotrexate Concentrations
FDA on Tuesday approved the marketing of glucarpidase, or Voraxaze, for the treatment of toxic plasma methotrexate concentrations in patients whose kidneys are not eliminating the drug at a normal rate.  The drug's labeling (PDF) notes that the recombinant bacterial enzyme is not for use in patients whose renal function is normal or only mildly impaired.  Read More

2015 Initiative Yields to PPMI
As pharmacy practice evolves, so do the strategies that help drive those changes—including the ambitious and comprehensive Pharmacy Practice Model Initiative (PPMI), which has supplanted ASHP's 2015 Initiative.  Launched in 2003, ASHP's Health-System Pharmacy 2015 Initiative was a member-driven plan "structured to help us reach the ASHP vision for pharmacy practice in hospitals and health systems," said ASHP's Douglas Scheckelhoff, vice president of professional development.   Read More

 

Upcoming Events

MSHP/KCHP 2012
Annual Meeting

April 19-21st
Kansas City Convention Center
Kansas City, MO
Register Online

Quick Links

Mission Statement

MSHP Board of Directors

Research and Education Foundation Contributors

Research and Education Foundation Contribution Form

Contact MSHP 

MSHP Career Center


In The Next Issue:
The next newsletter will be themed “Psych” and will have a submission deadline of May 13, 2012 for articles.

Please send articles to:
Brian Pitman
Dir. of Mktg. & Comm.
bpitman@centrichq.com