Newswise — The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and education partner Elsevier Clinical Solutions have launched “AACN: Acute and Critical Care Pharmacology,” an online course providing case study-based education focused on safe medication administration for both acute care and critical care staff nurses.

Developed in consultation with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), this updated e-learning course is based on the latest evidence, practice standards for safe drug administration and patient management recommendations.

The course’s interactive approach supports nurses in applying new clinical knowledge to real-world patient scenarios, sharpening their critical thinking skills and building confidence.

Designed for both new and experienced nurses, “AACN: Acute and Critical Care Pharmacology” helps healthcare organizations address The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals of implementing strategies to promote safe medication administration and reduce the incidence of medication errors.

The course expands the scope of the original course introduced in 2012, with approximately 30 percent new content, including updated drug monographs used by practicing pharmacists.

“AACN continues to break new ground in Web-based clinical education for acute and critical care nurses, delivering the latest evidence-based pharmacology knowledge in an application-oriented framework mirroring nurses’ everyday responsibilities,” said AACN Chief Clinical Officer Connie Barden, RN, MSN, CCRN-E, CCNS. “This updated course provides the continuing education and professional development that bedside clinicians need to optimize patient safety and maintain their edge.”

AACN has once again partnered with Elsevier Clinical Solutions, a division of Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific and medical information products and services, to update the course.

“We greatly value our relationship with AACN and ASHP, and we’re proud to have collaborated with these groups on this online course,” said Cindy Tryniszewski, RN, MSN, Executive Director of Clinical e-Learning, Elsevier Clinical Solutions. “This high-quality course has been expanded and updated, and will provide nurses with exceptional continuing education to help deepen their understanding of how drugs work, why drugs can cause adverse effects, and what the implications are for nursing care.”

Encompassing eight lessons and one final exam, the course features the flexibility to study or assign individual lessons as appropriate and obtain continuing nursing education (CNE) hours for each lesson rather than only for completion of the entire course.

Learners can earn up to 12.0 CNE contact hours, depending on the number of lessons completed.

Individuals and organizations can purchase “AACN: Acute and Critical Care Pharmacology” at www.aacn.org/pharmaonline.

About the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses: Founded in 1969 and based in Aliso Viejo, California, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. AACN joins together the interests of more than 500,000 acute and critical care nurses and includes 235 chapters worldwide. The organization’s vision is to create a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and their families in which acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution. www.aacn.org; facebook.com/aacnface; twitter.com/aacnme

About Elsevier: Elsevier is a world-leading provider of information solutions that enhance the performance of science, health, and technology professionals, empowering them to make better decisions, deliver better care, and sometimes make groundbreaking discoveries that advance the boundaries of knowledge and human progress. Elsevier provides Web-based, digital solutions — among them ScienceDirect, Scopus, Elsevier Research Intelligence and ClinicalKey — and publishes nearly 2,200 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and over 25,000 book titles, including a number of iconic reference works. The company is part of Reed Elsevier Group PLC, a world-leading provider of professional information solutions in the Science, Medical, Legal and Risk and Business sectors, which is jointly owned by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. The ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).

About the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists: ASHP represents pharmacists who serve as patient care providers in acute and ambulatory settings. The organization’s more than 40,000 members include pharmacists, student pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. For over 70 years, ASHP has been on the forefront of efforts to improve medication use and enhance patient safety. For more information about the wide array of ASHP activities and the many ways in which pharmacists advance healthcare, visit ASHP’s website, www.ashp.org, or its consumer website, www.safemedication.com.