Updated data from CDC estimate at least 2.8 million people acquire antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections each year that result in at least 35,000 deaths. This is a dramatic increase from the CDC’s 2013 report and emphasizes the need for continued efforts and education to combat resistance. Clinicians must utilize antimicrobial stewardship strategies that aim to reduce the development of resistance as well as be aware of new tools that can greatly enhance their ability to effectively treat these infections. These tools include rapid diagnostics that quickly and reliably identify resistant pathogens as well as newer, more potent antimicrobial agents that can overcome resistance mechanisms and allow for pathogen-specific therapy. The rising prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative pathogens has seriously challenged clinicians and results in a substantial burden to patients and healthcare systems. This is particularly evident when managing vulnerable patient populations, such as those with ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP) and hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP) who are at greater risk of treatment failure and mortality. Clinical pharmacists, as an integral part of interprofessional teams and Antimicrobial Stewardship Program committees, must continue to spread awareness and implement strategies to minimize the burden of these infections.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completing this activity, participants will be able to:

• Describe current trends in antimicrobial resistance and mechanisms of resistance utilized by Gram-negative pathogens that commonly cause hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP) and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP)
• Differentiate among newer antimicrobial agents that target multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria
• Evaluate evidence-based strategies to optimally utilize the current selection of antimicrobial agents in a pathogen-specific manner when managing HABP/VABP

This activity meets the needs of pharmacists in a variety of practice settings, including large and small healthcare systems, outpatient clinics, managed care organizations, long-term care facilities, and academia. This program targets pharmacists who are at the forefront of caring for patients with serious bacterial infections.

Educational Format

This program is designed to build competence, confidence, and skills in the management of HABP/VABP while increasing the understanding of how to utilize the latest tools as part of antimicrobial stewardship efforts and interprofessional healthcare team. It discusses the following topics:

• The burden of resistance in HABP/VABP
• Trends in resistance prevalence among problematic Gram-negative bacteria
• Understanding and optimizing the use of current antimicrobials in HABP/VABP
• Antibiogram utilization
• Strategies for pathogen-specific therapy
• Antimicrobial Stewardship

FACULTY

	James S. Lewis II, PharmD, FIDSA ID Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator Adjunct Associate Professor Oregon Health and Science University Departments of Pharmacy and Infectious Diseases Portland, OR