Pennsylvania Medical Society Delegates Attending Annual Meeting Will Tackle MRSA As Part Of International Infection Prevention Week

Main Category: MRSA / Drug Resistance
Article Date: 16 Oct 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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Members of the Pennsylvania Medical Society attending its annual House of Delegates meeting this year will honor International Infection Prevention Week by learning more on how to reduce methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) transmission.

  As part of its annual meeting, the Pennsylvania Medical Society will conduct a continuing medical education class titled "Reducing MRSA Transmission" on October 21 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.  The annual meeting is held at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, Pa.  About 250 physicians from throughout Pennsylvania are expected to attend this year's annual meeting.

  MRSA, thought of as a superbug due to its antibiotic resisting ability, is a type of bacterium commonly found on the skin and in the noses of healthy people. Typically, it is harmless at these sites, although it may occasionally get into the body through abrasions, cuts, wounds, surgical incisions, or catheters.  When this happens, an infection may occur.

  In 1986, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the third week in October as National Infection Control Week, calling upon all federal, state, and local government agencies, health organizations, communications, media and others to take part in educational activities.  This year, according to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, International Infection Prevention Week is October 16 through 22.

  "Health care moves at a fast pace, and education is very important," said Mark A. Piasio, MD, MBA, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society.  "In order for doctors to provide the best care for patients, we must stay in front of these issues.  That's why the Pennsylvania Medical Society wants to help its members through continuing medical education."

  During the program, Marc P. Volavka, executive director of the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4), will discuss a PHC4 study on MRSA and related data collection.  Also, Carlene A. Muto, MD, director of infection control and hospital epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, will cover the Southwestern Pennsylvania MRSA Reduction Effort.  Finally, Christopher M. Hughes, MD, chair of the Pennsylvania Medical Society's Committee on Patient Safety, will talk about a proposal and activity of the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Forum.

  "Antibiotic resistant bugs represent a serious concern because they are responsible for so many infections our patients acquire while they are in the hospital," said Dr. Hughes.  "With an action plan developed in Pennsylvania with cooperation from many organizations and Medical Society members and continued education on the issue, we can successfully address MRSA.  Hopefully, those members of the Pennsylvania Medical Society attending this CME class from throughout the state will begin to implement MRSA reduction efforts in their local communities."

  The Pennsylvania Medical Society has been advocating for the patient-doctor relationship since 1848.  To learn more about the Pennsylvania Medical Society, visit its Web site at http://www.pamedsoc.org.

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