MRSA

The Threat of MRSA
Staphylococcus aureus continues to be a major cause of infections in the healthcare setting, particularly ventilator-associated pneumonia, surgical site infections, and bloodstream infections. Unfortunately, approximately 60% of S. aureus isolates are now methicillin-resistant and subsequently resistant to several other classes of antimicrobials, complicating the management of these infections. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has also emerged as a problematic pathogen in the community. Despite the availability of several antimicrobials that target MRSA, the clinical and economic burden of MRSA infections continues to escalate. To address the threat of MRSA, healthcare professionals need clarity on several persistent issues and questions based on current scientific evidence.

Activity Overview
"Let's Talk MRSA: 20 Frequently Asked Questions" is designed to clarify persistent issues in serious MRSA infections that pose a threat to patient safety and add to the healthcare burden. Experts answer frequently asked questions, share their own clinical experience, and highlight evidence-based strategies that help improve clinical outcomes in patients with serious MRSA infections. This 20-episode Podcast is divided into 4 Learning Modules. Learners can apply for credit after reviewing each Learning Module in its entirety.

Learning Module 1. Evolving Epidemiology of MRSA
Learning Module 2. Optimized Use of Vancomycin
Learning Module 3. Clinical Tactics for MRSA Infections
Learning Module 4. Applying Antimicrobial Stewardship Principles

Purpose Statement
This activity is designed to address frequently asked questions pertaining to serious MRSA infections covering epidemiology, optimized use of vancomycin, clinical tactics, and antimicrobial stewardship principles.

Target Audience
This activity is designed for physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals on the frontline of managing patients with serious MRSA infections.

Learning Objectives
After reviewing all 20 episodes of this activity, learners should be better able to :
Describe changes in the epidemiology of MRSA infections in the hospital and community settings (Learning
Module 1)
Optimize vancomycin therapy for MRSA infections (Learning Module 2)
Evaluate evidence-based strategies to select appropriate antimicrobial agents to treat complicated and recurrent MRSA infections (Learning Module 3)
Differentiate among newer anti-MRSA agents based on safety and efficacy profiles (Learning Module 3)
Assess antimicrobial stewardship tactics for the prevention and management of MRSA infections (Learning Module 4)

Faculty


		Thomas M. File, Jr., MD, MSc, MACP, FIDSA, FCCP Professor, Internal Medicine; Master Teacher; Head, Infectious Disease Section Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown, OH Chief, Infectious Disease Service and Director, HIV Research Summa Health System, Akron, OH

		James S. Lewis, PharmD Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Programs Manager University Health System Department of Pharmacy Clinical Assistant Professor University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, TX

		Scott T. Micek, PharmD Clinical Pharmacist, Critical Care Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO

		George G. Zhanel, PharmD, PhD Professor, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Faculty of Medicine University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

Accreditation
Physicians
Accreditation Statement: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through joint sponsorship of Center for Independent Healthcare Education (Center) and Vemco MedEd. Center is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation
Learning Module 1: Center designates for this activity maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Learning Module 2: Center designates for this activity maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Learning Module 3: Center designates for this activity maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
Learning Module 4: Center designates for this activity maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Pharmacists
Center for Independent Healthcare Education (Center) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

Learning Module 1: Center has assigned 1.0 contact hours (0.1 CEUs) for this activity.
Learning Module 2: Center has assigned 0.75 contact hours (0.075 CEUs) for this activity.
Learning Module 3: Center has assigned 1.25 contact hours (0.125 CEUs) for this activity.
Learning Module 4: Center has assigned 1.0 contact hours (0.1 CEUs) for this activity.

ACPE Universal Activity Number
Learning Module 1: 0473-9999-10-003-H01-P
Learning Module 2: 0473-9999-10-004-H01-P
Learning Module 3: 0473-9999-10-007-H01-P
Learning Module 4: 0473-9999-10-009-H01-P

Type of Activity: Knowledge-based and Competence-based

	Release Date	Credit Expiration Date
Learning Module 1	10/04/2010	10/25/2011
Learning Module 2	11/01/2010	11/22/2011
Learning Module 3	11/29/2010	01/10/2012
Learning Module 4	01/11/2011	02/14/2012

Method of Participation
After clicking on Launch Activity at the bottom of this page, you can
Subscribe through iTunes (click on iTunes) or through another aggregator (click on XML) or
Directly review Episodes online

Instructions for Credit

Review the entire CME/CE information including target audience, learning objectives, and disclosures.
Review the Learning Module in its entirety.
Complete the Self Assessment, Evaluation, and Credit Application form for the respective Learning Module.
Mail the completed Self Assessment, Evaluation, and Credit Application form to Vemco MedEd, 245 US Highway 22, Suite 304, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Or Fax to (908) 450-3300.

Documentation of credit will be mailed within 4 weeks of receipt of the completed Self Assessment, Evaluation, and Credit Application form.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
Center for Independent Healthcare Education requires faculty, planners, and others who are in a position to control the content of continuing education activities to disclose to the audience any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the activity. All identified conflicts of interest are reviewed and resolved to ensure fair balance, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all activities. The faculty is further required to disclose discussion of off-label uses in their presentations.

Disclosure: Faculty
Thomas M. File, Jr., MD, MSc, MACP, FIDSA, FCCP
Research support: Boehringer Ingelheim, Cerexa/Forest, Gilead, Ortho-McNeil, Pfizer, and Tibotec
Consultant: Cerexa/Forest, Glaxo SmithKline, Ortho-McNeil, Merck, Nabriva, Pfizer, Protez/Novartis, Rib-X, Shire, and Tetraphase

James S. Lewis, PharmD
Advisory board: Astellas, Merck, Ortho-McNeil, and Pfizer
Promotional speakers' bureau: Astellas

Scott T. Micek, PharmD
Advisory board: Astellas

George G. Zhanel, PharmD, PhD
Grant recipient/Research support: Abbott, Affinium, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Forest, Johnson and Johnson, Merck, and Pfizer

Disclosure: Planning Committee Members
Employees of Center for Independent Healthcare Education and Vemco MedEd have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Off-label Disclosure Statement
Learning Module 1: During this activity, no off-label uses of antimicrobial agents are discussed.
Learning Module 2: During this activity, no off-label uses of antimicrobial agents are discussed.
Learning Module 3: During this activity, the off-label use of following antimicrobial agents is discussed: telavancin for the treatment of MRSA pneumonia and MRSA bacteremia; tigecycline for the treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia; and linezolid for the treatment of MRSA bacteremia.
Learning Module 4: During this activity, the off-label use of the following antimicrobial agents will be discussed: ceftobiprole, ceftaroline, iclaprim, oritavancin, and dalbavancin for the treatment of MRSA infections.

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.

Commercial Support
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Cubist Pharmaceuticals.

Fee
There is no fee to participate in this activity.

Hardware/Software Requirements
Web Browser
Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox
Note: Please disable any "pop-up blocker" features.

Software/Hardware
Microsoft Windows PC or Apple Macintosh
Microsoft Windows Media Player, sound card, and speakers for listening to the audio files
Adobe^® Reader version 4 or above to view PDF files (If you do not have Adobe^® Reader, you can download it for free from Adobe.com)

Connection Speed
Cable, DSL, or better of at least 300 kbps

System Check
Please e-mail any questions or concerns to info@vemcomeded.com.

Contact Information
For questions regarding the accreditation of this activity, please contact Center for Independent Healthcare Education at info@jointsponsor.com.

By clicking on Launch Activity, I acknowledge that I have read the entire CME/CE information.