Clostridium Difficile: Changing Diagnosis, Epidemiology, And Treatment

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 13 Sep 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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In recent years, the rates and severity of Clostridium difficile infection have been increasing. This trend may be the result of changing epidemiology arising from changes in antimicrobial use, other drug-prescribing practices, or infection control practices. The increasing rates may also be the result of a new resistant strain of C.difficile, which is associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality.

Healthcare professionals should be aware of the changing epidemiology of this increasingly virulent pathogen and apply evidence-based principles for the diagnosis and treatment of C.difficile infection. To address the need for education on C.difficile infection, Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC (RMEI) and Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) have jointly sponsored a free continuing education virtual lecture for physicians, pharmacists, and nurses. This activity, which includes three Lecture Presentations, a Learning Assessment, and an Evaluation form, is supported by an educational grant from ViroPharma Incorporated.

The content of this virtual lecture is derived from a live symposium presented on April 7, 2008, during the 18th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). Expert faculty include Dale N. Gerding, MD, FIDSA, and Stuart Johnson, MD, DTM&H, both from the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois, and the Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital in Hines, Illinois; and L. Clifford McDonald, MD, FACP, FSHEA, from the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.

Healthcare professionals can view this virtual lecture by visiting: http://www.RMEI.com/CDIFF010.

"Quality continuing education is vital to developing and increasing knowledge and skills and enhancing patient care," says RMEI President and CEO, Robert M. Colleluori.

RMEI is a medical education company that specializes in independent, accredited and nonaccredited education. The goal of all accredited RMEI educational offerings is to promote a spirit of lifelong learning and continuous professional development. RMEI works closely with medical experts to design activities that improve diagnosis and treatment. These activities include national and international symposia, teleconferences, live meetings, enduring print materials, and interactive Internet programs.

For additional educational offerings, please visit http://www.RMEI.com.

Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC
http://www.RMEI.com