Register for the October 4, 2022 Medical Examiner Professional Development Event
The College is pleased to announce its fourth annual Medical Examiner professional development (PD) event titled “Understanding the CPSM Standards of Practice to Provide Safer Care, and OAT Provision in the Context of Other Psychoactive Drugs”.
WHEN: Tuesday, October 4, 2022, from 7:00 to 8:45 p.m.
REGISTRATION LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GEXv74BaRPehonV80gLdzw
- This is a virtual event ONLY and is free to attend for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy staff
- Deadline to register is October 3, 2022, at 4:30 p.m.
ACCREDITATION: This CPhM program can be claimed for up to 1.5 accredited CEU in the online PD Log.
SPEAKERS:
- Talia Carter MOT, BSc, O.T. Reg. (MB), Prescribing Practices Program Coordinator, The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Manitoba
- Mike Sloan, B.Sc. (Pharm), Pharmacy Manager
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Review pearls from the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) Standards of Practice (SOPs) for Prescribing Opioids and Benzodiazepines/Z-drugs and consider some of the most common questions.
- Describe how the medical examiner collaborative work relates to the SOPs and the CPSM Prescribing Practices Program (PPP), and the role that PPP can play in supporting registrants.
- Recognize the valuable role pharmacists play in supporting prescribers and discuss ways to overcome barriers to collaboration.
- Apply learnings by considering communication methods with patients about opioids and/or benzodiazepines.
- Analyze two medical examiner case files linked to opioid overdoses in patients receiving Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) and apply learnings to provide safer care.
- Discuss the current SOPs related to the dispensing of OAT and psychoactive medications.
Extension of Exemption to Prescribing Practice Direction
CPhM Council has extended the exemption to Section 2.4 of the Prescribing Practice Direction, which requires that a pharmacist conduct an in-person or face-to-face patient assessment. The exemption permits a pharmacist to conduct a direct patient assessment via telephone, if appropriate, when a pharmacist is considering issuing a prescription within their scope of practice to a patient.
Council has extended this exemption indefinitely until a virtual care practice direction can be developed, approved, and implemented or until such a time that the exemption is re-evaluated and repealed by Council.
Although virtual care, including telephone prescribing assessments, provides an option for increased accessibility to health care services, it must be used/delivered in a supported manner to enhance and complement in-person patient care.
As CPhM endeavours to develop a practice direction to outline the expected standards for virtual care, pharmacists are reminded that professional judgement is required to ensure a phone assessment is indicated and appropriate. Pharmacists must continue to meet all requirements as described in The Pharmaceutical Act, Pharmaceutical Regulation, and the Prescribing and Prescribing and Dispensing Practice Directions. Pharmacists are further reminded of the expectations within the Virtual Patient Care and Ensuring Patient Safety in Pharmacy Practice Position Statement.
Consultation on Proposed Amendments to the Patient Profile Practice Direction
In 2014, the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba Council implemented a policy surrounding Practice Directions, which includes the requirement for assessment and regular review at a minimum of every 5 years.
In accordance with the Practice Direction Policy, the Patient Profiles Practice Direction is currently under review by the Standards of Practice Division of the Quality Assurance Committee. Practice Directions carry similar legal significance to regulations, and it is therefore important that the formation of a Practice Direction is made with due diligence, subject to analysis, review, and response.
The Amendments
The proposed amendments to the Patient Profiles Practice Direction are outlinedhere.
The two proposed amendments will:
- Change the documentation requirements of sex/gender in a patient profile from mandatory to optional, based upon pharmacist professional judgement and patient preference.
- Clarify the expectation regarding the documentation of relevant medical history.
The Consultation
Council has approved a consultation on the draft Practice Direction amendments. The consultation will be open for 30 days.
The CPhM is committed to an open and transparent consultation process. All comments received will be considered by Council.
Please review the draft Practice Direction here and provide feedback by email to feedback@cphm.ca by October 29, 2022.
CPhM Encourages Pharmacy Professionals to Explore Safety IQ Academy and Provide Valuable Feedback
On September 8, 2022, the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) announced the launch of Safety IQ Academy, the official learning, training, and resource website for Safety IQ. The website replaces the Safety IQ webpage on cphm.ca along with key content such as the Guide to Safety IQ. You can also access Safety IQ Academy at https://cphm.ca/practice-education/safety-iq/.
Key features of the site include:
- Safety IQ Blog showcasing short, actionable articles about communication, improvement plans, incident analysis, human factors engineering, and more. The blog will be updated with fresh articles monthly. Links to new content will be published in the Friday Five and Newsletter.
- Information and resources for patients and the public.
- A training and learning page including video and interactive content.
- Just and safety culture resources.
- Content to support all the required elements of Safety IQ.
We welcome your valuable feedback on Safety IQ Academy. Visit SafetyIQ.Academy today and let us know what you think with the site’s embedded short, anonymous survey.
CPhM thanks members of the Safety IQ Advisory Committee for their participation and feedback which was instrumental in the development and launch of Safety IQ Academy.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Safety IQ team at safetyiq@cphm.ca.
CPhM Working Toward Reconciliation
As part of the current Strategic Plan, CPhM Council has undertaken to:
- Support pharmacy professionals in effectively delivering services that meet the social and cultural needs of all patients.
CPhM will do this by identifying and implementing an action plan to cultivate cultural competence among Council members, College staff and pharmacy professionals.
A main focus of this work, thus far, has been dedicated to developing some understanding of the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and how a regulatory framework can answer the Calls to Action.
Council and staff have endeavoured to explore and learn about the historical injustices suffered by Indigenous people and build capacity in understanding how that continues to be reflected in health care systems. Council and staff have taken or are currently taking the Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Safety Training program (MICST).
In partnership with the Manitoba Alliance of Health Regulatory Colleges (MAHRC) working group, CPhM developed a learning module about health equity and cultural humility that will be available shortly. This module will be a part of the continuing competency program required modules for pharmacy professionals and staff.
CPhM has applied to participate in the Circles of Reconciliation program. The aim of Circles for Reconciliation is to establish trusting, meaningful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples as part of the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) by participating in facilitated discussions on a set of themes.
CPhM has collaborated with various partners to sponsor professional development opportunities for registrants, Council members, and staff in conjunction with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30, 2022.
Council and staff recognize this as a long journey of exploration. All health care professionals can learn, understand and work to provide safe and equitable health care for all individuals.
On September 30, 2022, CPhM Council and staff encourage all those who work within the profession of pharmacy to participate in one or more programmed events designed to promote reflection on the history and legacy of Indian Residential Schools and the critical importance of working for Truth and Reconciliation.
NEW CPSM OAT Recommended Practice Manual Updates
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) interprofessional working group with representatives from the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM), College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM) and other experts continues work to develop and update sections of the Manitoba Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) Recommended Practice Manual. Sections of the new Manual are posted on the CPSM website as they become available, including NEW guidance and expectations on the use of Slow-Oral Release Morphine (SROM/Kadian®) in the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder and Managing Polypharmacy, Benzodiazepines, Alcohol, & Polysubstance Use in OAT. This Manual replaces the older “Manitoba Methadone and Buprenorphine Maintenance” CPSM document.
Pharmacists involved in OAT must familiarize themselves with these new recommendations without delay. CPhM will be updating the Opioid Agonist Therapy Guidelines for Manitoba Pharmacists to reflect the changes in the new CPSM Manual at a future date.
Update from Health Canada on Specialized Infant Formula Shortage
An update from Health Canada’s Bureau of Nutritional Sciences indicated that overall, stocks of both amino acid based and extensively hydrolysed formulas remain strong. However, supplies of Nutramigen powders have begun to run low in certain distribution centres, and the next shipment is not expected until October. Other powdered formulas (Nestle Althera, Aptamil ProExpert and Gerber GoodStart) are in stock from certain distribution centres (see list here), and may be good alternatives for some infants.
Please also note that imported formulas under Health Canada’s interim policy have been reviewed by Health Canada and found to be safe and comparable to other products on the market. It is estimated that sufficient stock is in place to ensure continuity of access for infants who start on these formulas as an alternative.
More information can be found on the College website here. Pharmacy professionals with questions can contact Population.PublicHealth@gov.mb.ca for more information.
Upcoming Events & Professional Development Opportunities
Opioid Agonist Therapy 101 Introduction to Clinical Practice
October 20 & 21, 2022 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Spots are still available. Click here for more information and to register.
CPDPP Indigenous Trauma and Equity Informed Practice Webinar and Workshop
Continuing Professional Development for Pharmacy Professionals (CPDPP) in collaboration with Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals, Alberta College of Pharmacy, and College of Pharmacists of Manitoba, presents an informative and meaningful learning experience with Len Pierre Consulting. For more information and to register, click here.
CSHP- MB 2022 Fall Half Day – Inclusive Health Care
October 15, 2022 08:00 a.m.
Register here.
Pharmacists Manitoba Fall Conference
October 2, 2022
Register here.
ISMP Canada Medication Safety Workshops:
Multi-Incident Analysis and Medication Safety Culture Assessment Virtual Workshop
October 1-2, 2022
Register here.
MedRec and BPMH Training for Health Care Professionals Workshop
September 24, & November 18, 2022
Register here.
Medication Safety Considerations for Compliance Packaging
Register here.
Preventing and Analyzing Medication Errors
Register here.