MyCMESite

Locations

New York City, NY
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tribeca Grill
375 Greenwich Street

Philadelphia, PA
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Davio’s
111 South 17th Street

Miami, FL
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Fleming’s
8511 SW 136th St

West Orange, NJ
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Highlawn Pavilion
1 Crest Drive, Eagle Rock Reservation

Overview

Nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections continue to complicate the clinical course of critically ill patients and, consequently, to create substantial economic and human costs. These infections may lead to complications in approximately 30% of those patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and cost an estimated $25,000 per infection. Previous studies have shown that the administration of inadequate antimicrobial treatment of nosocomial infections is associated with a significantly higher mortality rate; therefore, new guidelines and evidence-based practices to prevent healthcare-associated infections have been developed to improve patient outcomes. Although healthcare providers are cognizant of measures to control infection, inconsistent application of these measures remains a concern in the ICU and surgical settings.

In this regional dinner meeting series, we will present up-to-date information on the risk of acquiring nosocomial infections, highlight the most common sites of these infections, and discuss new guidelines for preventing and controlling infections in the hospital population. The goals are to enhance the awareness and understanding of the risks for infections and encourage guideline-based application of infection control measures to promote more favorable outcomes for patients.

Agenda

6:00 – 6:30 PM	Registration and Dinner
6:30 – 6:35 PM	Introduction and Overview, Local Moderator
6:35 – 7:00 PM	Early and Adequate Therapy Improves Outcomes in Invasive Fungal Infections
7:00 – 7:25 PM	Antibiotic Stewardship for the Treatment of Intra-abdominal Infections
7:25 – 7:55 PM	Question and Answer Session
7:55 – 8:00 PM	Activity Conclusion, Local Moderator

Learning Objectives

Upon the completion of this activity, the participant should be better able to:

IDENTIFY patients at risk for infections due to yeast and multiply resistant gram-negative and gram-positive pathogens.
DESCRIBE the epidemiology of fungal infections in the hospital population.
OUTLINE an approach to providing appropriate empiric therapy for fungal infections.
DESCRIBE the importance of selecting appropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy for patients with intra-abdominal infections to avoid inadequate treatment and excessively broad therapy.
EXPLAIN the utility of limiting duration of antimicrobial therapy in patients with intra-abdominal infections to circumvent complications.

CE Information

INTENDED AUDIENCE – Infectious disease physicians, hospitalists, internal medicine physicians, critical care and intensive care physicians; infectious disease, critical care, and ICU nurses; fellows (surgical and medical); and hospital pharmacists, ICU pharmacists, and hospital formulary committee directors.

PHYSICIAN CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION:
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 the joint sponsorship of Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) and ASi M. PIM is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT – Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

PHARMACIST CONTINUING EDUCATION:
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT – Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT – Postgraduate Institute for Medicine designates this continuing education activity for a maximum of 1.5 contact hour(s) (0.15 CEUs) of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. (Universal Activity Number – 809-999-09-062-L01-P)

DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST – Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) requires instructors, planners, managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest they may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by PIM for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies mentioned in the materials or used as the basis for content, and appropriateness of patient care recommendations.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT – Event staff will be glad to assist you with any special needs (ie, physical, dietary, etc). Please contact ASiM prior to the live event at 908-253-9001.

FEE INFORMATION – There is no fee for this educational activity.