.Webinars
Diagnosing C. difficile: New Guidelines, Familiar Challenges
Dr. Nathan Ledeboer, PhD, D(ABMM)
Associate Professor of Pathology: Medical Director, Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics
Medical College of Wisconsin
Dr. David Nicolau, PharmD, FCCP, FIDSA
Director, Center for Anti-Infective Research and Development
Hartford Hospital
As lab testing technologies, infection control policies, and reporting metrics have evolved over the years, the diagnosis of C. difficile infections has remained a vexing and often controversial topic. Recently updated clinical practice guidelines from IDSA/SHEA attempt to shed new light on a familiar debate, but some of the same challenges remain. This webinar presents expert perspectives from two different areas of clinical practice, with commentary on lab testing dilemmas, antimicrobial stewardship, LabID reporting, and the impact of the new guidelines on current practice.
C. diff Perspectives: Diagnostics Dilemmas and Effective Testing Strategies
Dr. Susan Butler-Wu, PhD
Director of Medieal Microbiology
LAC+USC Medical Center
As our understanding of C. difficile and C. difficile infection (CDI) continues to evolve, clinical labs find themselves at the center of a shifting debate that carries implications for infection control, hospital reimbursement, public reporting, and most importantly, patient care. This webinar - the final in the three-part series - delves into diagnostic dilemmas, addresses current controversies in testing methodology, and presents testing strategies that account for the strengths and limitations of current technologies
C. diff Perspectives: If It Wasn't So "difficile" It Would be Easy
Dr. Stephen Brecher, PhD
Director of Microbiology
Boston VA Healthcare System
Since its discovery in the 1930's, C. difficile has been a vexing pathogen to scientists and clinicians alike, and remains a topic of debate and controversy today. This webinar - the second in the three-part series - examines clinical cases that highlight complex patient management situations, discusses common testing and treatment dilemmas, and outlines evidence-based recommendations for C. difficile infection control and prevention.
C. diff Perspectives: Utilizing On-Demand Testing for Protocol-Driven Infection Prevention
Patricia Gould, RN
Senior Infection Preventionist CHI
St. Vincent (Hot Springs, AR)
Reduction of Clostridium difficile rates is a common goal of healthcare institutions of all sizes, with ever-evolving strategies aimed at addressing a challenging task. This webinar - the first in a three-part series - presents one such strategy from the perspective of infection prevention. Utiliza tion of on-demand lab testing, protocol-driven processes, and physician education/engagement will be discussed.
Diagnosis of Clostridium difficile Infections: The Latest Poop
Ferric C. Fang, MD
Professor of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology, and Medicine
University of Washington School of Medicine
Clostridium difficile is the most common cause of health care-associated infections in U.S. hospitals and the leading cause of gastroenteritis-associated deaths. This encore presentation of a webinar previously aired in March 2016 will review the evolution of laboratory tests used to diagnose Clostridium difficile infections and consider the advantages and disadvantages of current approaches. Controversies regarding potential over-diagnosis and optimal testing strategies will be discussed.