Evaluation of a Web-Based Malaria Education Module for Hospital Pharmacists

• Main Authors: Toy, Trevor, Sabuda, Deana, Kuhn, Susan M
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists 2009
• Subjects: Northwest Territories; Nunavut; Prince Edward Island; Yukon
• Online Access: https://www.cjhp-online.ca/index.php/cjhp/article/view/56; https://doi.org/10.4212/cjhp.v61i3.56

Malaria is a serious tropical disease that is an increasing problem for many hospitals across Canada. Between 370 and 460 cases are reported annually in this country,1 and these numbers are known to underestimate the true incidence by 30% to 50%.2 Between 2001 and 2006, a mean of 17.2 cases of severe or complicated malaria were reported to the Canadian Malaria Network each year.3 This rate may rise with increases in the number of people at risk for malaria and the number with the disease who actually present to the Canadian health care system for care. Increases in the numbers of immigrants, refugees, travellers, and military personnel returning from service overseas are some possible contributors to this trend. Locally, cases reported in the Calgary Health Region may account for 4% to 8% of the national caseload. The drug of choice for severe malaria in Canada (quinine, administered intravenously) has restricted availability and can be obtained only through 13 repository sites designated by the Canadian Malaria Network. These repositories are located in all provinces except New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island; no repositories are located in the Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory, or Nunavut. Most cases of malaria in the Calgary Health Region are caused by the potentially deadly parasitic species Plasmodium falciparum; such infections can progress to organ failure within 24 to 48 h after introduction to the bloodstream. For people infected with P. falciparum, timely recognition and appropriate antimalarial treatment are essential to minimize associated morbidity and mortality.4 Yet, in a review of 100 consecutive malaria cases in the greater Toronto area, 23% of the patients had delays of greater than 6 h before initiation of antimalarial therapy (after receipt of a laboratoryconfirmed diagnosis), and 36% of patients infected with P. falciparum had no follow-up within the first 4 days of therapy.4 Incorrect treatment regimens and errors in initial management of severe malaria were 2 “major errors” cited. ...