The Threat of MRSA
Staphylococcus aureus continues to be a major cause of serious infections in the healthcare setting. Approximately 60% of S. aureus isolates are methicillin-resistant and resistant to several other classes of antimicrobials, complicating the management of these infections. Despite the availability of several antimicrobials that target MRSA, the clinical and economic burden of MRSA infections continues to escalate.

Stewardship for Optimal Care
Antimicrobial stewardship practices can play an important role in addressing the challenges associated with MRSA infections. Stewardship principles aim to improve the appropriate use and selection of antimicrobials while reducing the risk of resistant infections. Optimal care through stewardship efforts is best achieved by a multidisciplinary approach to patient management. Successful implementation of antimicrobial stewardship tactics can potentially improve clinical outcomes while reducing overall healthcare costs.

Learning Objectives
Healthcare professionals participating in
this educational activity will be able at its
conclusion to:    

• Determine the optimal use of vancomycin
  for MRSA infections (E-Newsletter #1)
• Identify strategies to minimize the risk of vancomycin-associated adverse events
  (E-Newsletter #1)
• Recognize appropriate antimicrobial
  therapy for serious MRSA infections
  (E-Newsletter #2)
• Identify infection control strategies to
  prevent the transmission of MRSA within the hospital setting (E-Newsletter #3)
• Discuss the appropriateness
  and benefits of outpatient
  parenteral antimicrobial therapy
  for serious MRSA infections
  (E-Newsletter #4)

Guest Editor Thomas M. File, Jr., MD, MSc, MACP, FIDSA, FCCP Professor of Internal Medicine Master Teacher Head, Infectious Disease Section Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine Rootstown, Ohio Chief, Infectious Disease Service Director, HIV Research Summa Health System Akron, Ohio

Accreditation
Physicians
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through joint sponsorship of Center for Independent Healthcare Education (Center) and Vemco MedEd. Center is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

E-Newsletter #1: Center designates this Enduring Material for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
E-Newsletter #2: Center designates this Enduring Material for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
E-Newsletter #3: Center designates this Enduring Material for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
E-Newsletter #4: Center designates this Enduring Material for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Pharmacists
  Center for Independent Healthcare Education (Center) is accredited by the
  Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

E-Newsletter #1: Center has assigned 0.5 contact hours (0.05 CEUs) for this activity.
E-Newsletter #2: Center has assigned 0.5 contact hours (0.05 CEUs) for this activity.
E-Newsletter #3: Center has assigned 0.5 contact hours (0.05 CEUs) for this activity.
E-Newsletter #4: Center has assigned 0.5 contact hours (0.05 CEUs) for this activity.

Type of Activity: Knowledge-based

Method of Participation and Instruction for Credit for each E-Newsletter

1. Review the entire CME/CPE information including target audience, learning objectives, and disclosures.
2. Review the entire E-Newsletter.
3. Complete the Post Test, Evaluation, and Credit Application Form. Please note that to receive credit a score of at least 80% on the Post Test is required.  
4. Mail the completed Form to Vemco MedEd, 245 US Highway 22, Suite 304, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
   or fax to (908) 450-3300.

Note:  Documentation of credit will be mailed within 6 weeks of receipt of the completed Post Test, Evaluation,
            and Credit Application Form.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
Center for Independent Healthcare Education requires faculty, planners, and others who are in a position to control the content of continuing education activities to disclose to the audience any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the activity. All identified conflicts of interest are reviewed and resolved to ensure fair balance, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all activities. The faculty is further required to disclose discussion of off-label uses in their presentations.

Disclosure: Guest Editor - Thomas M. File, Jr., MD

• Research funding: Boehringer Ingelheim, Cempra, Gilead, Pfizer, and Tibotec
• Consultant: Astellas, Bayer, Cempra, Cerexa/Forest, Merck, Nabriva, Pfizer, Rib-X, and Tetraphase

Disclosure: Planning Committee
Paul DeLisle, employee of Center for Independent Healthcare Education: no relevant financial relationships to disclose
Marco Cicero, PhD, employee of Vemco MedEd: no relevant financial relationships to disclose

Disclosure of Off-label Use
E-Newsletter #1: There is no discussion of off-label use of any product in this activity.
E-Newsletter #2: During this activity, the following off-label use of an antimicrobial agent is discussed: daptomycin
     (at 8-10 mg/kg/dose for the treatment of bacteremia; and for the treatment of osteomyelitis).
E-Newsletter #3: There is no discussion of off-label use of any product in this activity.
E-Newsletter #4: There is no discussion of off-label use of any product in this activity.

Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this educational activity are those of the faculty and do not reflect the views of Center for Independent Healthcare Education (Center) and Vemco MedEd. This educational activity may discuss off-label and/or investigational uses and dosages for therapeutic products/procedures that have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Center and Vemco MedEd do not recommend the use of any product/procedure outside of the labeled indications. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product/procedure discussed. Clinicians should verify all information and data before treating patients or employing any therapies described in this continuing education activity. Please refer to the prescribing information for each product/procedure for approved indication, contraindications, and warnings.

Joint Sponsorship
This activity is jointly sponsored by Center for Independent Healthcare Education and Vemco MedEd.

Commercial Support
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Cubist Pharmaceuticals.

Fee
There is no fee to participate in this activity.

Hardware/Software Requirements
Web Browser
Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari or Google Chrome
Note: Please disable any "pop-up blocker" features.

Software/Hardware
Adobe Acrobat Reader version 7 or above to view PDF files
(If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you can download it for free from get.adobe.com/reader)

Connection Speed
Cable, DSL, or better of at least 300 kbps

System Check
Please e-mail any questions or concerns to info@vemcomeded.com.

Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2011 Vemco MedEd, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Permission for accreditation use granted to Center for Independent Healthcare Education.

Privacy Policy
http://www.vemcomeded.com/privacy.asp

Contact Information
For questions regarding the accreditation of this activity, please contact Center for Independent Healthcare Education at info@jointsponsor.com.

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