A Guide for the Management of Streptococcal Pharyngitis for Pharmacy Teams
Target Audience: Pharmacist
Course Overview
Streptococcal pharyngitis, commonly called strep throat, is a prevalent bacterial infection in clinical practice. Appropriately identifying Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, GABHS, as the cause of sore throat is important, as this is the only common etiology for which patients should receive antibiotics to treat the condition and prevent potential complications. As members of interprofessional care teams, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can assist in optimizing the outcomes of patients with GAS pharyngitis through collaboration with the health care team. Patients often visit their local pharmacy to seek recommendations for sore throat relief. In these cases, pharmacists can evaluate and refer patients to their primary care provider when streptococcal pharyngitis seems likely. Pharmacists can also counsel patients and caregivers on prescribed antibiotics and supplemental analgesics and offer strategies to prevent transmission to others. This continuing education presentation aims to provide pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnostic approaches, and evidence-based management strategies associated with streptococcal pharyngitis.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Describe the pathophysiology of and risk factors for streptococcal pharyngitis
- Identify the clinical presentation of streptococcal pharyngitis, including common signs and symptoms
- Describe the evaluation of a patient with streptococcal pharyngitis
- Compare and Contrast treatment strategies for the management of streptococcal pharyngitis
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. Etiology
III. Epidemiology
IV. Pathophysiology
V. Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis
A. Signs and Symptoms
B. Physical Exam
C. Diagnostics
D. Differential Diagnosis
VI. Management and Treatment Strategies
VII. The Role of Pharmacy Technicians
VIII. Recommended Resources
IX. Summary
From June 27, 2024 through June 27, 2027, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. Pamela Sardo and L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP, have no conflicts of interest or financial relationships regarding the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.