Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease in the Long-Term Care Setting: Strategies for Identification, Management and Infection Control
The supplement to Caring for the Ages was supported by an educational grant from ViroPharma Incorporated and is jointly sponsored by Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC and Postgraduate Institute for Medicine.
This supplement is based on proceedings from a live symposium entitled "Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease in the Long-Term Care Setting: Strategies for Identification, Management and Infection Control" held March 31, 2007, in Hollywood, Florida.
To view the supplement, click the image above. To take the CME test, download and print out the PDF file, and follow the test instructions on page 9.
Topics
• Introduction
• Clostridium difficile Update
• Clostridium difficile Infection: Prevention and Control
• Questions and Answers
Faculty/Faculty Disclosure
John G. Bartlett, MD
Professor of Medicine
Department of Medicine
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD Dr. Bartlett has asked that we advise participants in this activity that he has an affiliation with Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company, Abbott Laboratories, and GlaxoSmithKline (Advisory Board); and Gilead Sciences (Contracted Research).
Alex T. Makris, MD, CMD
President
New Jersey Medical Directors Association
Infectious Diseases Consultant
Multi-Facility Medical Director
Marlton, NJ Dr. Makris has asked that we advise participants in this activity that he has an affiliation with Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC (Advisory Board), and Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company (Advisory Board and Speakers' Bureau).
Target Audience
This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physician medical directors and registered nurses who work in long-term care settings and who are involved in the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD).
Activity Purpose
This activity is intended to assist healthcare professionals in understanding how to manage CDAD in patients requiring long-term care.
Statement of Need
Healthcare professionals who work with patients in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) should be aware of the emergence of a new strain of C. difficile. This new strain appears to have the ability to produce greater quantities of toxins A and B, is more resistant to fluoroquinolones, and is associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality. CDAD is commonly seen in older adults, especially among residents of LTCFs. Therefore, it is urgent that healthcare professionals who work with patients in these facilities understand the changing epidemiology of CDAD, the epidemic strain of C. difficile, and characteristics of patients with CDAD, especially the markers associated with more severe disease. In addition, it is essential that healthcare professionals apply state-of-the-art methods of prevention and control, provide early diagnosis and initiate prompt, aggressive treatment of CDAD in order to optimize patient outcomes.
Educational Objectives
After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:
• Identify the changing epidemiology and clinical spectrum of disease caused by Clostridium difficile
• Specify the current state of C. difficile infection in the long-term care setting
• Identify optimal therapies in the treatment of C. difficile infection in the long-term care setting
• Identify prevention and control measures that may contain the spread of CDAD
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Aareas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Postgraduaate Institute for Medicine (PIM) and Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC (RMEI). PIM is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1.0 CreditTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nursing Continuing Education CAN/ANCC
This educational activity for 1.0 contact hour is provided by Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM).
PIM is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Colorado Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 13485 for 1.2 contact hours.
Disclaimer
Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient's conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer's product information and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.
Disclosure of Unlabeled Use
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM), Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC and ViroPharma Incorporated do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.
The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of PIM, Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC and ViroPharma Incorporated. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications and warnings.
