Training

Training

Staff Training

One of the key objectives for training your medical personnel is to create an environment where they can provide the best patient care possible. Training is important for the overall understanding of a condition, the treatment options, and managing patient expectations. To help you accomplish you training goals, DUSA can provide an in-office, in-service program to train all qualified healthcare professionals on the clinical profile of Levulan PDT, treatment administration and managing patient expectations. To schedule an in-service program for your medical personnel, click here to have your DUSA sales representative contact you to schedule the appointment.

Staff

In order to offer a new treatment to your patients you will need to consider what impact it will have on your office staff. In the case of Levulan PDT, a qualified healthcare professional (QHP) can administer the treatment. You will need to check with your local state regulations to determine who is considered a QHP. Maximize the exposure your QHPs can have with your patients by adding to their service offerings.

Scheduling

DUSA provides Levulan PDT reimbursement support for its customers through The Pinnacle Health Group. This support includes:

  • Benefit verification and coverage
  • Reimbursement hotline to address coding, coverage and billing claims
  • Develop plan and provide services to appeal denials
  • Research payer policies and coding documentation
  • Provide updated policy information as necessary
  • Prior authorization support, training and sample forms
  • Financial analysis review
  • Training and educational programs and reference tools

Marketing Support

DUSA also provides Marketing support to help drive patients into your practice. Whether it be an advertisement or a postcard, DUSA can offer you access to templated tools that encourage your AK patients to visit your practice for a skin exam.

Indication

Levulan® Kerastick® (aminolevulinic acid HCl) for Topical Solution, 20% plus blue light illumination using the BLU-U® Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator is indicated for the treatment of minimally to moderately thick actinic keratoses of the face or scalp.

Important Risk Information

Application of Levulan® Kerastick® should involve either scalp or face lesions, but not both simultaneously. Levulan® Kerastick® should not be applied to the periorbital area or allowed to contact ocular or mucosal surfaces. Excessive irritation may be experienced if this product is applied under occlusion.

Contraindicated in patients with cutaneous photosensitivity at wavelengths of 400-450 nm, porphyria, or known allergies to porphyrins, and in patients with known sensitivity to any of the components of the Levulan Kerastick for Topical Solution.

Levulan® Kerastick® has not been tested on patients with inherited or acquired coagulation defects. It is possible that concomitant use of other known photosensitizing agents might increase the photosensitivity reaction of actinic keratoses treated with the Levulan® Kerastick®.

Patients should avoid exposure of the photosensitive treatment sites to sunlight or prolonged or intense light for at least 40 hours after application of the Levulan Kerastick Topical Solution. Exposure may result in a stinging and/or burning sensation and may cause erythema or edema of the lesions. Patients should protect treated lesions from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat or similar head covering of light-opaque material. Sunscreens will not protect against photosensitivity reactions caused by visible light.

Most common adverse events including stinging and/or burning, itching, erythema, and edema were observed in all clinical studies. Severe stinging and/or burning at one or more lesions being treated was reported by at least 50% of patients at some time during treatment. However, less than 3% of patients discontinued light treatment due to stinging and/or burning.

During light treatment, both patients and medical personnel should be provided with blue blocking protective eyewear, as specified in the BLU-U operating instructions to minimize ocular exposure.

For additional important safety information, please see full prescribing information.

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What treatment would you prescribe for these patients with minimally to moderately thick actinic keratoses to face and scalp?

Robert

Robert S. has difficulty using his hands because of pain and swelling

  • 58 years old
  • Drove a truck for a living for 25 years
  • Referred to the dermatologist by his PA for "precancerous lesions"
  • AK lesions on the left side of his face
  • Has pain and some function limitations in his hands
  • Missed his last appointment because he forgot it
  • Is taking multiple medications with various dosing schedules
Robert

Louise M. has a very busy professional schedule

  • 41 year old female
  • Red hair, blue eyes
  • Entertains clients at her summer home at the shore
  • AKs scattered over nose area and ears
  • Visits her dermatologist regularly
Robert

Alice G. worries about medication side effects interfering with her very active lifestyle

  • 43 years old
  • Has been working as a physical education instructor for a local high school for the past 20 years
  • Has a very busy schedule with responsibility for multiple team activities
  • Plays on a women's soccer team in her community
  • Is worried about developing skin diseases
  • AKs located on her face
Robert

Jim K. does not believe he needs to apply sunscreen

  • 65 years old and recently retired
  • Has worked in construction all his life
  • Never applies sunscreen because he feels his skin can handle the sun
  • Is bald and has AKs on his scalp
  • Doesn't worry about developing skin diseases
  • Jim's wife recently scheduled an appointment with the dermatologist to have the "scaly lesions" on his scalp evaluated
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