Course

Heart Failure in the ICU: Managing Acute Decompensation and Optimizing Outcomes

Self-paced
2 CEUs

$25 Enroll

Full course description

Communication In Your Practice Banner
Time Icon $25
Self-Paced Icon Self-Paced
Certificate Icon 2 CE Hours
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Course Overview

This course offers critical care professionals evidence-based strategies to diagnose and manage acute decompensated heart failure in the ICU. Learn to evaluate disease progression, develop individualized treatment plans and manage high-risk therapies to improve patient outcomes. 

Through real-world case studies and expert instruction from Creighton University faculty, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to make timely, evidence-based decisions in high-acuity settings. 

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Who Should Enroll

This noncredit course is ideal for registered pharmacists, PharmD graduates preparing for the workforce or residency, post-graduate residency candidates, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other clinicians working in critical care setting or healthcare professionals seeking CE or skill refinement. 

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Course Instructor

Daniel E. Hilleman, PharmD 
Director, Continuing Education 
Professor, Creighton University 

Nationally recognized expert in cardiovascular pharmacotherapy and director of Continuing Education at Creighton University. 

Mark A. Malesker, PharmD, FCCP, FCCP, FCCM, FASHP, BCPS 
Professor, Creighton University 

Veteran critical care educator and published researcher with deep expertise in ICU pharmacology and cardiopulmonary disorders. 

Stacey Dull, PharmD, BCPS 
Associate Professor, Creighton University 

Experienced clinical pharmacy educator specializing in acute care and interprofessional practice. 

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What You’ll Learn

By completing this course, you will be able to: 

  • Explain the pathophysiology and progression of major disease states commonly encountered in acute and chronic care settings 
  • Design and evaluate evidence-based pharmaceutical care plans tailored to individual patient needs, incorporating clinical presentation, demographic factors, and comorbid conditions 
  • Assess the risk-benefit profiles of various therapeutic options, including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions 
  • Define therapeutic goals and identify appropriate clinical and laboratory parameters for monitoring treatment efficacy and safety 
  • Recognize and manage drug-related problems, including adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, and medication errors, with an emphasis on incidence, severity, and mitigation strategies
  • Demonstrate integrated clinical decision-making by evaluating the impact of multiple coexisting medical conditions on pharmaceutical care and treatment outcomes 
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FAQ

What are the benefits of completing this course? 

By integrating pharmacologic principles with an understanding of complex patient presentations, this course prepares you to make safe, informed and impactful decisions that improve clinical outcomes across diverse care settings.

This module is part of the Advanced Critical Care Therapeutics Certificate. It can be taken individually or stacked with other modules to earn the certificate. 

How long does it take to complete?

Modules are self-paced and designed for flexible learning. Most take 1-2 hours to complete. 

How is the course structured? 

This course is 100% online and self-paced. You can start anytime and progress on your own schedule—ideal for working professionals. The course includes video lessons, real-world case studies, downloadable tools and interactive activities to guide your decision-making process.   

Can I earn Continuing Education Credits? 

Yes, You need to complete the entire program to receive credit. To receive credit, you will need to receive 75% on the quiz and case study at the end of the module. Upon successful completion of the module, and completion of the evaluation, a certificate will be available for you to print. You will have three attempts to complete each quiz.

Category 1 Creighton University Health Sciences Continuing Education designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AAPA accepts AMA category 1 credit for the PRA from organizations accredited by ACCME.

Nursing CE Creighton University Health Sciences Continuing Education designates this activity for 2.0 contact hours for nurses. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Pharmacy Credit Creighton University Health Sciences Continuing Education (HSCE) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This enduring material, Heart Failure in the ICU: Managing Acute Decompensation and Optimizing Outcomes is accredited for 2.0 hour(s) for completion of all CE sessions. Term of approval is from this date on September 15, 2025 until September 15, 2028. Heart Failure in the ICU: Managing Acute Decompensation and Optimizing Outcomes is a knowledge-based CE activity.

Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, Creighton University Health Sciences Continuing Education (HSCE) 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.
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Do you offer tuition assistance?  

We do not offer tuition assistance for lifelong learning courses or certificates. However, Creighton alumni, faculty, staff and eligible partner employees, along with their spouses and dependents, may qualify for a 15% discount. One discount per offering. Other restrictions may apply.Learn more.