Webinar symbols and meanings

Webinar:

Pharmacy Preparation for Next Flu Season: What You Need to Know

The purpose of this program is to provide the hospital pharmacist with background knowledge and practical implementation strategies to prepare the institution for influenza season.

The 2009-2010 season will be reviewed to compare disease activity for seasonal and novel H1N1 influenza in order to plan for the upcoming season. Key educational points to be covered include managing antiviral inventory to avoid stockpiling at the institution, planning the vaccine order, and developing criteria to ensure proper utilization of antiviral medications.

Additional focus on how pharmacy can play a major role to educate both consumers and healthcare providers on vaccines and antiviral medications. The role of the pharmacy department will be emphasized for influenza preparedness efforts.

This presentation is about an hour long.

Speaker

Howard I. Cohen, M.S., FASHP
Corporate Director of Pharmacy Services
Universal Health Services, Inc
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Howard I. Cohen is Corporate Director of Pharmacy Services for Universal Health Services, Inc, one of the nation’s largest healthcare management companies. Universal Health Services, Inc. operates acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities and ambulatory centers nationwide. Mr. Cohen previously served as the Director of the Department of Pharmacy Services at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals. He also holds the position of adjunct faculty at Temple University College of Pharmacy.

Mr. Cohen earned his Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy in Lawrence, Kansas, and his Master of Science degree in hospital pharmacy administration from Temple University School of Pharmacy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He completed a fellowship at the Wharton School of Business - Leonard Davis Institute at the University of Pennsylvania.

A fellow of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Mr. Cohen is also a member of the American Pharmaceutical Association and several state and local professional societies. Mr. Cohen is the Editorial Advisor for the Pharmacy Net Guide, and is an experienced speaker and advisor on various pharmacy and hospital decision-making topics.

Learning Objectives and Major Content Areas

1. Explain the role of the pharmacy department in preparing for influenza season
2. Review the 2009-2010 influenza season including lessons learned to consider when planning for the upcoming season
3. Predict influenza vaccine inventory requirements for the institution
4. Discuss appropriate use of antiviral agents and reasons for not stockpiling the drugs at individual institutions
5. Discuss educational needs of both consumers and healthcare providers