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Release Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 Expiration Date: Thursday, August 14, 2014
The Clostridium difficile Burden
Morbidity and mortality associated with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has grown considerably over the past few years. In the United States from 2000 to 2009, the number of hospitalized patients with any CDI discharge diagnosis more than doubled (from 139,000 to 336,600). In addition to the growing frequency of these infections, the severity of the disease has also increased, leading to greater morbidity and mortality. CDI has resulted in $4.8 billion in excess costs in US acute-care facilities, and this number will continue to increase as the incidence of these infections rises.
The rising incidence of CDI is attributed to the emergence of a hypervirulent strain of C. difficile, with increased toxin production and high-level antimicrobial resistance. Furthermore, populations previously thought to be at low risk of infection are now being identified as having severe CDI, including those without any exposure to healthcare facilities.
Fortunately, new diagnostic techniques have been developed to assist clinicians in the accurate and rapid detection of these infections. Additionally, new treatment options are available to clinicians for the management of initial and recurrent episodes of CDI. All healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in the care of patients at risk for or with CDI should be aware of the latest approaches for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this deadly infection.
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Activity Overview
This educational 20-episode Podcast is designed to answer frequently asked questions about CDI and is an effective method to increase the knowledge and competence of physicians and pharmacists in the appropriate management of these infections. At the conclusion of this activity, physicians and pharmacists will be able to partner within an interdisciplinary team in ensuring optimal outcomes and safety of patients with CDI.
Educational Format
This educational 20-episode Podcast is divided into a series of five Learning Activities:
Learning Activity 1.
Epidemiology of C. difficile infections
Learning Activity 2.
Diagnostic approaches and tools for predicting clinical response
Learning Activity 3.
Treatment of initial episodes of CDI
Learning Activity 4.
Treatment of recurrent CDI
Learning Activity 5.
Role of antimicrobial stewardship and future developments in CDI
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Target Audience
Optimal management of CDI requires an interdisciplinary approach that includes all HCPs involved in the management of patients at risk for these infections. The activity is designed for physicians, pharmacists and other allied healthcare professionals on the frontline of managing patients at risk for or with CDI at their healthcare institutions. These include ID specialists, critical care physicians, internists, ED physicians, hospitalists, gerontologists, family physicians, and clinical pharmacists.
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this activity, participants will be able to:
- Discuss the evolving epidemiology of C. difficile infection (CDI) in the healthcare setting and community (Learning Activity 1)
- Recognize patient risk factors for initial CDI and recurrence (Learning Activity 1, 2, 4)
- Identify the latest diagnostic approaches for the rapid and accurate detection of CDI (Learning Activity 2)
- Select appropriate treatment for initial and recurrent episodes of CDI based on disease severity and patient risk factors (Learning Activity 3, 4)
- Describe antimicrobial stewardship practices aimed to reduce the incidence of CDI (Learning Activity 5)
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| Accreditation
Physicians
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the Center for Independent Healthcare Education and Vemco MedEd, LLC. Center for Independent Healthcare Education (Center) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation
Learning Activity 1: Center for Independent Healthcare Education designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Learning Activity 2: Center for Independent Healthcare Education designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Learning Activity 3: Center for Independent Healthcare Education designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Learning Activity 4: Center for Independent Healthcare Education designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Learning Activity 5: Center for Independent Healthcare Education designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Physician Assistants
American Academy of Physician Assistants accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ from organizations accredited by ACCME.
Credit Designation
Learning Activity 1: Center for Independent Healthcare Education designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Learning Activity 2: Center for Independent Healthcare Education designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Learning Activity 3: Center for Independent Healthcare Education designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Learning Activity 4: Center for Independent Healthcare Education designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Learning Activity 5: Center for Independent Healthcare Education designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Physician assistants should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Pharmacists
 Center for Independent Healthcare Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider for continuing pharmacy education.
Credit Designation
Learning Activity 1: Center for Independent Healthcare Education has assigned 1.0 contact hour (0.1 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education credits for participating in this activity.
ACPE UAN: 473-999-13-005-H01-P
Activity type: Knowledge-based
Learning Activity 2: Center for Independent Healthcare Education has assigned 1.0 contact hour (0.1 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education credits for participating in this activity.
ACPE UAN: 473-999-13-006-H01-P
Activity type: Knowledge-based
Learning Activity 3: Center for Independent Healthcare Education has assigned 1.0 contact hour (0.1 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education credits for participating in this activity.
ACPE UAN: 473-999-13-007-H01-P
Activity type: Knowledge-based
Learning Activity 4: Center for Independent Healthcare Education has assigned 0.75 contact hour (0.075 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education credits for participating in this activity.
ACPE UAN: 473-999-13-008-H01-P
Activity type: Knowledge-based
Learning Activity 5: Center for Independent Healthcare Education has assigned 0.75 contact hour (0.075 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education credits for participating in this activity.
ACPE UAN: 473-999-13-009-H01-P
Activity type: Knowledge-based
For questions regarding the accreditation of this activity, please contact us at info@jointsponsor.com
Method of Participation
After clicking on Launch Activity at the bottom of this page, you can participate:
- directly online
- through your SmartPhones and/or iPad
Instructions for Credit
- Review the entire CME/CE information including target audience, learning objectives, and disclosures.
- Review all episodes in the Learning Activity
- Complete the online Self Assessment, Evaluation, and Credit Application Form. Please note that to receive credit you must achieve a score of at least 80%.
- Physicians/Physician Assistants: Certificate of Credit will be emailed within 4 weeks of successful completion of the activity.
- Pharmacists: The information that you participated will be uploaded to CPE Monitor and you will be able to access your credits from the profile you set up with NABP. For more information, please visit http://www.nabp.net/.
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Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Policy
In accordance with policies set forth by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), Center for Independent Healthcare Education requires all faculty members and planning committee to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests during the past 12 months. A commercial interest is any entity producing, marketing, reselling or distributing health care goods or services consumed by or used on patients. Relationships with commercial interests and conflicts of interest resulting from those relationships must be revealed to the audience and resolved prior to the activity.
Relevant relationships include roles such as speaker, author, consultant, independent contractor (including research), employee, investor, advisory committee member, board member, review panelist, and investigator. If a potential speaker or author indicates a possible conflict of interest, the conflict will be resolved by choosing another speaker or author for that topical area, or the slides, handouts, and/or monograph will be reviewed and approved by a qualified commercially-disinterested peer.
Planning Committee Members
Erik R. Dubberke, MD, MSPH
Jason C. Gallagher, PharmD, BCPS
Dhara Shah, PharmD, BCPS
Paul DeLisle
Marco P. Cicero, PhD
Maja Drenovac, PharmD, CCMEP
Disclosure of Financial Interest Summary
Erik R. Dubberke, MD, MSPH (Faculty/Planner) has relevant financial relationships with commercial interests as follows:
- Consultant: Merck, Sanofi Pasteur, Pfizer, bioMerieux
- Grant Recipient/Research Support: Merck, Sanofi Pasteur, Optimer Pharmaceuticals, ViroPharma
Dr. Dubberke states: “The only two FDA approved treatments for C. difficile are oral vancomycin and fidaxomicin. All other treatments discussed are off-label and/or investigational.”
Jason C. Gallagher, PharmD, BCPS (Faculty/Planner) has relevant financial relationships with commercial interests as follows:
- Advisory Board: Trius Therapeutics, Optimer Pharmaceuticals
- Grant Recipient/Research Support: Merck
- Speakers Bureau: Forest Laboratories, Astellas, Optimer Pharmaceuticals
Dr. Gallagher does intend to discuss the off-label uses of metronidazole and nitazoxanide.
Dhara Shah, PharmD, BCPS (Faculty/Planner) has relevant financial relationships with commercial interests as follows:
- Grant Recipient/Research Support: Merck
Dr. Shah does not intend to discuss the off-label uses of any product.
No other speakers, authors, planners or content reviewers have any relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Content review confirmed that the content was developed in a fair, balanced manner, free from commercial bias. Disclosure of a relationship is not intended to suggest or condone commercial bias in any presentation, but it is made to provide participants with information that might be of potential importance to their evaluation of a presentation.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this educational activity are those of the faculty and do not reflect the views of Center for Independent Healthcare Education (Center) and Vemco MedEd. This educational activity may discuss off-label and/or investigational uses and dosages for therapeutic products/procedures that have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Center and Vemco MedEd do not recommend the use of any product/procedure outside of the labeled indications. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product/procedure discussed. Clinicians should verify all information and data before treating patients or employing any therapies described in this continuing education activity. Please refer to the prescribing information for each product/procedure for approved indication, contraindications, and warnings.
Fee
There is no fee to participate in this activity.
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Software/Hardware
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Cable, DSL, or better of at least 300 kbps
System Check
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Copyright Statement
Copyright© 2013-2014 Vemco MedEd, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Permission for accreditation use granted to Center for Independent Healthcare Education.
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