ASCP's E-IMPACCT Initiative Helps Health Care Practitioners Better Manage Chronic...

ASCP's E-IMPACCT Initiative Helps Health Care Practitioners Better Manage
Chronic Constipation in Older Adults

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Society of
Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) has launched a comprehensive continuing medical
education initiative for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other health
care providers about chronic constipation (CC). Known as E-IMPACCT, which
stands for Elderly IMProvements and Advances in Chronic Constipation
Treatment, this program presents educational activities on evaluating and
managing CC and offers a range of tools to help clinicians in everyday
practice.

"Because of the cascade of complex health issues that can be triggered by
chronic constipation, clinicians have expressed their need for targeted
education about CC," said ASCP Executive Director and CEO John Feather.
"Clinicians need to identify, recognize, and differentiate CC and have a clear
understanding of the pros and cons of each of the treatments and medications,
the side effects, and administration and efficacy data."

E-IMPACCT provides outcomes-based knowledge through an ongoing, thorough
awareness campaign with educational components that will roll out over a
12-month period. Through this initiative, participants are presented with new
information and certified continuing education (CE) activities, patient cases,
and guidelines designed to help clinicians better manage CC and improve
outcomes in today's seniors. This knowledge will help practitioners
individualize regimens for their patients and will improve the provider's
confidence in the course of action chosen.

"For all clinicians, the management strategies for treating chronic
constipation in the elderly should include a combination of patient and
caregiver education and communication, dietary modifications, and treatment
options," commented ASCP Director of Professional and Educational Affairs
Trish D'Antonio Mazzuca. "Educational outcomes from E-IMPACCT will measure
changes in clinician knowledge and behavior and improvements in patient care."

Chronic constipation is a condition that impacts the lives of millions of
older adults in the United States. It is the most common digestive complaint
in the general population and is associated with substantial costs. In
seniors, roughly 26% of men and 34% of women complain of constipation.
Americans spend approximately $800 million per year on over-the-counter
laxatives. Severe constipation can lead to serious medical problems that may
even require surgery. Fecal impaction is a serious concern in particular for
nursing facilities, and without adequate treatment, it may lead to significant
complications.

Components of E-IMPACCT include live meetings and symposia, Web-based
educational programs, audio conferences with live faculty question-and-answer
sessions, and a dynamic Web page, www.ElderlyConstipation.org. Through the Web
page and via opportunities at live meetings, health care practitioners may
order free CC support tools, including clinician pocket guides, clinical
reference cards, an in-service tool kit to train other health care providers,
and patient information and education. An awareness campaign is designed to
kick off the initiative so health care providers know these resources are
available to them at no cost.

The ASCP E-IMPACCT initiative is supported by an educational grant from
Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.
and is sponsored through a collaboration of ASCP, AKH Inc., and Medical
Communications Media, Inc. (MCM).

The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, the recognized expert in
geriatric pharmacotherapy, is the international professional association that
provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to advance the
practice of consultant and senior care pharmacy. ASCP's 7,000 members manage
and improve medication therapy and improve the quality of life of geriatric
patients and other individuals residing in a variety of environments,
including nursing and subacute care facilities, assisted living communities,
psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, and in home and community-based care.
Visit ASCP's Web site at www.ascp.com.

For more information contact:
Trish D'Antonio Mazzuca, RPh, MS, MBA, CGP
Director of Professional and Educational Affairs
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists
703-739-1316, ext. 105
tdantonio@ascp.com

SOURCE American Society of Consultant Pharmacists

Trish D'Antonio Mazzuca of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists,
+1-703-739-1314, ext. 105, tdantonio@ascp.com