Insights Newsletter December 2024: Emerging Trends for Clinical Leadership

This month’s Insights Newsletter covers the latest practice-changing pharmacy updates, emerging trends, and popular natural medicine topics and resources. 

Prepare to Give More Adults a Pneumococcal Vaccine

The CDC now recommends pneumococcal vaccination in adults starting at age 50 instead of age 65. Plus, there are four pneumococcal vaccine products available in the U.S., making it tricky to know which one patients need. Our Letter articles discuss the new CDC recommendations for pneumococcal vaccination and also clarifies which younger patients should also get vaccinated. We also discuss the differences in the vaccine options and provide guidance on which pneumococcal vaccine patients need in an easy-to-interpret table. Review how products stack up in our updated chart, Comparison of Pneumococcal Vaccines, and get step-by-step guidance on who to vaccinate and what to use in our new, colorful algorithm, Pneumococcal Vaccination in Adults. Read More

Community Topic: Tackle Ongoing GLP-1 Agonist Questions

Questions continue to pour in about these meds, since they’re still tough to get despite resolved shortages. Our Letter articles provide guidance on what to do if a patient’s usual GLP-1 agonist or dose isn’t available. We give advice on switching to a different med in this class if needed and provide a chart with approximate comparative doses. We also address other big questions such as whether to “stack” doses and what to recommend if patients ask about using compounded GLP-1s. Readers can get our updated chart, Comparison of GLP-1 Agonists, for a deeper dive. Read More

Hospital Topic: Safely Manage Insulin Infusions for Hyperglycemia in the ICU

There will be emphasis on managing hyperglycemia in the ICU due to updated guidelines. Our Letter articles provide practical advice on how to implement the latest critical care guidance and when to consider treating hyperglycemia. We also covers what glucose levels to target, and how to monitor patients to help limit hypoglycemia. Our recently updated resource, Hyperglycemia in the Hospital, offers advice to guide insulin therapy in non-ICU settings. Read More

NatMed Update: Caffeine Culture: Gaming

Caffeine products are increasingly promoted to the eSports/Gaming community, which raises concerns about use among kids and adolescents. Our NatMed article discusses caffeine content in products promoted for gamers. They’re often powdered products mixed with water and typically contain about 100-200mg of caffeine per serving (one scoop), along with several other nootropics. We advise parents to keep these products away from kids and teens and to use caution in adults. Even if they think the amount of caffeine listed on the label is safe, it’s easy to overdo it with a heaping scoop. Read More

Pharmacy & Prescriber Podcasts: Medication Talk

Listen to the latest pharmacy podcast, Immunization Updates 2024, where Pharmacist’s Letter and Prescriber Insights subscribers can get CE credit for tuning in.

New Blog! Compounding Chronicles

Data Trending Sampling Results is Peace of Mind
By Adam West, Course and Curriculum Manager at CriticalPoint.

Read how data trending is more than checking a box. Trending reveals key performance indicators on your sterile compounding environment. Read the blog.

Other Covered Topics

Explore the new CriticalPoint website that includes monthly pearls, job aids, and more. Don’t miss our upcoming live CE webinars available for APRNs, pharmacists, pharmacy techs, physicians, PAs, and RNs. And check out our announcement about our early 2025 new NatMed platform upgrade with a completely new look and design, several performance enhancements, new functionality, and more. Read More