Evidence-Based Applications in Clinical Toxicology

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Interview with Dr. Awad, Instructor for “Evidence-Based Applications in Clinical Toxicology”

Credits

This is a 3-credit course.

Description

This course is designed to introduce students enrolled in the Clinical Toxicology master’s degree program at the University of Florida to the evidence-based best practice applications associated with the discipline of clinical toxicology. This course will expose learners to clinical applications through case studies and evidence-based approaches to the diagnosis and management of the poisoned patient. Topic areas to be covered include a number of areas in clinical toxicology, which include the use of activated charcoal and whole bowel irrigation for toxicological emergencies, physostigmine for the anticholinergic toxidrome, naloxone dosing for opioid overdose, role and nuances associated with flumazenil for benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine toxicity, n-acetylcysteine for acetaminophen overdose, digoxin-specific antibodies for digoxin toxicity, the use of beta-blockers in the setting of cocaine-induced arrhythmias, glucagon and hyperinsulinemia-euglycemia therapy for beta-blocker and calcium channel blocker toxicity, phenobarbital versus dexmedetomidine for benzodiazepine-refractory alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and intravenous lipid emulsion therapy. The course will also encompass the use of drug information and literature evaluation skills as a means for development of a thorough understanding of the topics to be covered on a weekly basis. The goal of this course is to develop critical thinking and literature evaluation skills in the field of clinical toxicology.

Course Objectives

  1. Enhance foundational knowledge in the field of clinical toxicology through the assessment of case studies and evidence-based literature.
  2. Exhibit the skills necessary for critical evaluation of the literature in the discipline of clinical toxicology.
  3. Demonstrate the clinical application of activated charcoal and whole bowel irrigation in the initial management of toxicological emergencies.
  4. Describe the historical and current role of physostigmine in the management of the anticholinergic toxidrome.
  5. Describe the various regimens and rationale associated with dosing of naloxone in the treatment of opioid overdose.
  6. Evaluate the role and nuances associated with the use of flumazenil for benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine toxicity.
  7. Evaluate various treatment regimens of n-acetylcysteine in the management of acetaminophen overdose.
  8. Explain the nuances associated with the use of digoxin-specific antibodies in the treatment of digoxin toxicity.
  9. Describe the role and practicalities associated with glucagon and hyperinsulinemia-euglycemia therapy for beta-blocker and calcium channel blocker toxicity.
  10. Explain the role of phenobarbital and dexmedetomidine in the treatment of benzodiazepine-refractory alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
  11. Demonstrate an understanding of the role and nuances of intravenous lipid emulsion therapy in the management of toxicological emergencies.
  12. Discus the role of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a treatment modality for toxicological emergencies.

Prerequisites

PHA6557 Clinical Toxicology 1

Please review our recommended course order.

Topics

Modile Topic
Module 1 Introduction to Drug Information and Literature Evaluation
Module 2 Activated Charcoal: First Management Tool in Toxicological Emergencies?
Module 3 Whole Bowel Irrigation: An Afterthought?
Module 4 Physostigmine: Wonder Drug or Dangerous Antidote?
Module 5 Naloxone: What Dose Should We Use in the Initial Treatment of Opioid Overdose?
Module 6 Role and Nuances Associated with Flumazenil for Benzodiazepine and Non-Benzodiazepine Toxicity
Module 7 N-Acetylcysteine for Acetaminophen Toxicity: What Regimen is Best?
Module 8 Digoxin-Specific Antibodies: How Many Vials?
Module 9 Glucagon for Beta-Blocker and Calcium Channel Blocker Toxicity: Does it Work?
Module 10 Hyperinsulinemia-Euglycemia Therapy: Is It Effective?
Module 11 Phenobarbital versus Dexmedetimidine for Benzodiazepine-Refractory Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrime
Module 12 Intravenous Lipid Emulsion Therapy: Miracle or Hindrance?
Module 13 Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Toxicological Emergencies: A New Frontier
Capstone Project

Required Materials:

Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies
Author: Lewis Nelson, Robert Hoffman, Mary Ann Howland, Neal Lewin, Lewis Goldfrank, Silas Smith
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Medical; 11th edition (4/11/2019)
ISBN-10‏:‎ 1259859614
ISBN-13: 978-1259859618

Library Access

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