MDROs – Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention & Control, Training and Technical Assistance (ARCIPC)

MDRO Webinar Series Double Feature: Communicating Critical Infection Prevention Information Among Key Stakeholders to Improve Resident Outcomes & The Fall of Antimicrobials and the Importance of Antimicrobial Stewardship (July 10, 2024 at 1-2:15pm CT)

During this 1.25-hour webinar hosted by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control, two speakers will delve into distinct topics. This session marks the culmination of the ARC IPC’s MRDO webinar series, serving as its sixth and final installment.

In the first segment, Ms. Amy Ward will deliver a presentation titled “Communicating Critical Infection Prevention Information Among Key Stakeholders to Improve Resident Outcomes.” During this session, learners will understand how to identify key stakeholders, both internal and external to their organization. They will develop knowledge of what, when, and with whom to communicate. Finally, standardized communication tools will be shared.

In the second segment, Dr. Spencer Durham will present “The Decline of Antimicrobials and the Significance of Antimicrobial Stewardship.” The incidence of infections due to multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) is increasing at an alarming rate on a worldwide scale. In the United States alone, it is estimated that more than 2.8 million infections occur each year due to antimicrobial-resistant organisms. Additionally, the advent of new antimicrobial agents with novel mechanisms of action has been stalled for many years, making the preservation of existing antimicrobials of utmost importance. The provision of appropriate antimicrobial stewardship is the best defense currently available to decrease antimicrobial resistance and preserve existing antimicrobial agents.

The webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control and cosponsored by the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety, and the Alabama Statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC).

“Communicating critical infection prevention information among key stakeholders to improve resident outcomes” learning objectives:

Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
Utilize standardized tools to structure communications
Understand key infection prevention information to communicate

“The Fall of Antimicrobials and the Importance of Antimicrobial Stewardship” learning objectives:

Recognize the role of antimicrobials in the development of pathogen resistance over time
Define antimicrobial stewardship
Identify how appropriate antimicrobial stewardship helps to hinder the development of antimicrobial resistance

The Deep South Center for OH&S is an approved provider of continuing education units for nurses by the AL Board of Nursing (Provider ABNP0420 Expiration Date 7/10/2025) and has awarded this program 1.5 ABN CEUs. All other professionals awarded .15 CEUs, SW awarded 1.5 CEUs.

Amy Ward, MS, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC

Patient Safety Manager, Alliant Health Solutions

Amy Ward is the Patient Safety Manager with Alliant Health Solutions. She is a registered nurse with a diverse background in nursing, microbiology, epidemiology and infection control. She is passionate about leading and mentoring new and future infection preventionists in their career paths and assisting them in reducing healthcare-associated infections across the continuum of care. Amy enjoys spending time with family, biking, reading, camping and running.

Spencer H. Durham, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS, BCIDP

Associate Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy

Spencer H. Durham, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCIDP is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and also serves as the Director of Alumni & Professional Affairs with the Harrison College of Pharmacy. Originally from Arab, Alabama, he completed his pre-pharmacy coursework at Auburn University and graduated with his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Harrison College of Pharmacy in 2007. He went on to complete an ASHP-accredited post-graduate residency at Children’s Health System in Birmingham, Alabama in 2008. Dr. Durham has published more than 20 peer-reviewed articles in respected journals and several book chapters. He is an active speaker each year at national, state, and local conferences, where he educates healthcare professionals on topics related to infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship.

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The Role of Screening Test for Early Identification of Patients at Risk for Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms in Healthcare Settings (June 20, 2024 at 12pm CT)

Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health threat and early identification of patients at risk for multidrug resistant organism (MDRO) infection is crucial to prevent the spread of MDROs. This webinar will describe the effectiveness and benefits of implementing a screening strategy to detect MDRO carriers in healthcare settings.

Define the types of screening available to detect different MDRO organisms
Describe the benefits of developing a screening strategy to identify MDRO carriers

The Deep South Center for OH&S is an approved provider of continuing education units for nurses by the AL Board of Nursing (Provider ABNP0420 Expiration Date 6/20/2025) and has awarded this program 1.2 ABN CEUs. All other professionals awarded .1 CEUs, SW awarded 1.0 CEUs.

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Speaker

Rachael Lee, M.D., MSPH, is an assistant professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases, healthcare epidemiologist for the UAB Health System, Birmingham VA Medical Center Associate Healthcare Epidemiologist. Dr. Lee completed medical school at UAB School of Medicine, residency at UAB in Internal Medicine, and fellowship at UAB in Infectious Disease Quality and Patient Safety. Dr. Lee joined the UAB Division of Infectious Diseases at UAB in 2016 and is currently an Associate Professor. In her role as UAB Chief Healthcare Epidemiologist and in this role, she utilizes evidence based medicine to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections. Her research focuses on multi-drug resistant pathogens as they relate to infection control. Dr. Lee is an expert in all things infectious disease related, ranging from the spread of diseases like the flu, to infection prevention and control.

Strategies to Prevent the Spread of MDROs and the Application of Transmission-based Precautions (May 2, 2024 at 12pm CT)

This session will highlight key points from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) and isolation precautions. In addition, when and how to apply transmission-based precautions and enhanced barrier precautions, including patient placement will be discussed. Session participants will also learn what needs to be considered when cohorting patients/residents that may be infected or colonized with a MDRO. This webinar is the 4^th webinar which is part of our MDRO Webinar Series.

To identify strategies to prevent the spread of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) in the healthcare setting.
To describe CDC’s transmission-based precautions and enhanced barrier precautions and when to apply them.
To discuss guidance for patient/resident placement.

The Deep South Center for OH&S is an approved provider of continuing education units for nurses by the AL Board of Nursing (Provider ABNP0420 Expiration Date 12/22/2025) and has awarded this program 1.2 ABN CEUs. All other professionals awarded .1 CEUs, SW awarded 1.0 CEUs.

A.C. Burke, MA, CIC

Vice President of Healthcare Quality,RB Health Partners, Inc

A.C. Burke has been working with RB Health Partners, Inc. since 2016 and has over 22 years of experience working in public health and healthcare. A.C. worked for the Florida Department of Health for 15 years; 5 of those years she served as the Healthcare-associated Infection Prevention Program Manager. She later was the Director of Infection Prevention for Mayo Clinic Florida. In her current role, she consults with long-term care facilities on infection prevention and control policies, procedures, and practices, and provides training to nursing homes and at conferences, including the 17-hour Nursing Home Infection Prevention Program (NIPP) Nipping Infections in the Bud. NIPP was created to meet the CMS infection prevention training required for a facility team member to be recognized as the designated Infection Prevention Control Official (IPCO). A.C. is nationally recognized in her field and is the primary author of this program. A.C. holds a master’s degree in health management and is nationally Board Certified in Infection Control (CIC) by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. She is currently the chair of Florida Health Care Association’s Infection Prevention Council which was created to support Florida’s nursing homes in building and sustaining infection prevention and antibiotic stewardship programs that meet national standards. She works with clients to understand and implement national guidelines and best practices and supports program implementation by creating and delivering education materials, tools, and training.

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