Sepsis Alliance Symposium: Healthcare Associated Infections 2024
Includes a Live Web Event on 12/12/2024 at 8:00 AM (PST)
Description:
Date: December 12, 2024
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm ET / 7:00 am - 12:00 pm PT
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are the most common challenge in hospital settings, posing significant risks for both patients and healthcare providers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every 31 hospital patients contracts at least one HAI daily, leading to substantial financial burdens for healthcare organizations. The risk of HAIs escalating into sepsis underscores the critical need for effective prevention measures.
Healthcare professionals must prioritize the identification and implementation of strategies to improve performance and outcomes in preventing HAIs and sepsis across all departments and specialties.
Sepsis Alliance is hosting the 2024 Sepsis Alliance Symposium: Healthcare-Associated Infections to continue our mission and further the idea that infection prevention is sepsis prevention. This engaging virtual event will take place on December 12, 2024, and will delve into essential topics surrounding HAIs. Attendees will gain access to cutting-edge clinical insights and the latest recommendations for preventing and treating infections. This half-day symposium aims to highlight the importance of HAI prevention in clinical practice, ultimately striving to improve patient outcomes and reduce the incidence of sepsis.
Topics covered will include:
- Healthcare-associated C-Diff
- Role of gut microbiome in HAI prevention
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI)
- Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI)
- HAI surveillance: Past, present, and future
- Preventing healthcare-associated infections in surgical patients
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the activity, the learner should be able to:
- Demonstrate increased knowledge relating to maintaining a compliant and effective infection prevention and control program in the healthcare setting;
- Describe examples of infection prevention and control evidence-based best practices and recommendations;
- Propose innovative approaches, protocols, tools and documentation for limiting healthcare-associated infections.
Target Audience:
Nurses, advanced practice providers, physicians, emergency responders, pharmacists, medical technologists, respiratory therapists, physical/occupational therapists, infection prevention specialists, data/quality specialists, and more.
Symposium Supporters:
Sepsis Alliance gratefully acknowledges the support provided for this symposium by the following sponsors:
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17068 for 3.6 contact hours.
Other healthcare professionals will receive a certificate of attendance for 3.0 contact hours.
Medical Disclaimer
The information on or available through this site is intended for educational purposes only. Sepsis Alliance does not represent or guarantee that information on or available through this site is applicable to any specific patient’s care or treatment. The educational content on or available through this site does not constitute medical advice from a physician and is not to be used as a substitute for treatment or advice from a practicing physician or other healthcare professional. Sepsis Alliance recommends users consult their physician or healthcare professional regarding any questions about whether the information on or available through this site might apply to their individual treatment or care.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Time: 10:00 - 10:10 AM ET
Session 1
Infection Prevention in Action: Partnering to Enhance Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) and Sepsis Prevention Strategies
Time: 10:10 - 10:40 AM ET
This presentation will discuss the similarities in prevention approaches for HAI and sepsis. Learn how interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals and infection preventionists can significantly enhance infection prevention efforts to minimize both HAIs and preventable sepsis risks. This presentation aims to equip attendees with the necessary knowledge to improve patient outcomes through effective infection prevention practices.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify and compare the prevention strategies for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and sepsis, highlighting both their shared approaches and unique considerations;
- Describe how interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals, infection preventionists, and other stakeholders enhances the effectiveness of prevention efforts;
- Recognize common barriers to implementing HAI and sepsis prevention strategies and discuss actionable solutions to address these challenges in healthcare settings.
Session 2
HAP, VAP, and All of That
Time: 10:40 - 11:10 AM ET
During this presentation, learners will have the opportunity to review the definitions and epidemiology of ventilator-associated events, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonias. The session will also explore the pathophysiology and impact of co-infections related to hospital-acquired pneumonias, as well as strategies to prevent hospital-acquired pneumonia.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the definitions and epidemiology of ventilator-associated-events, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia;
- Describe the epidemiology and pathophysiology of hospital-acquired pneumonias, including the impact of co-infections;
- Recognize strategies to prevent pneumonia within the hospital.
Sponsor Session 1
BD Sponsored Session: Clinical Burden of Hospital Onset Bacteremia and Fungemia (HOB)
Time: 11:25 - 11:40 AM ET
Hospital Onset Bacteremia & Fungemia (HOB) is a new metric proposed by the CDC for National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) volunteer reporting. This sponsored presentation will delve into recent research papers that elucidate the differences between HOB and Central Line-associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI), the impact of urine sources on Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI) and non-catheter Hospital Onset UTIs contributing to HOB, the burden of Surgical Site Infections (SSI) associated with HOB, and the overall clinical and health economic significance of HOB.
Session 3
Health Inequity in Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance
Time: 11:40 AM - 12:10 PM ET
This presentation explores the complex relationship between healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and health inequities. Recent evidence that highlights disparities in HAI and AMR burdens will be examined, identifying critical factors that drive these inequities including variations in care quality and social determinants of health. Insights into targeted interventions designed to address and reduce these disparities, contributing to more equitable outcomes in infection prevention and resistance management, will also be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
- Review current evidence of inequities in the burden of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR);
- Describe how differences in quality of care and social determinants of health can contribute to HAI and AMR risk;
- List interventions that may help us to eliminate inequities in HAI and AMR risk
Sponsor Session 2
BD Sponsored Session: The Impact of Drug-Resistant Infections in the Cancer Community
Time: 12:10 - 12:40 PM ET
Nearly 100 years ago, scientists handed the world a new miracle drug: antibiotics. This revolutionized healthcare, improving the length and quality of our lifespans. Modern medicine has been built on the bedrock of being capable of controlling infections while treating aggressive disease. We stand on the precipice of losing this ability, as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens to overwhelm our antibiotic and antifungal supply. Nowhere is this more concerning than in the cancer community. This sponsored presentation will review current literature analyzing the impact of AMR on the cancer community and will provide an overview of suggested actions we can take to reduce the risk of drug-resistant infections.
Session 4
Prevention of CRBSIs in Healthcare Settings
Time: 12:55 - 1:25 PM ET
This presentation focuses on preventing catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in healthcare settings, highlighting the critical role of identifying and mitigating sources of infection. Attendees will gain insights into effective strategies for reducing the risk of these infections, with a special focus on antimicrobial lock therapy as a preventative measure. The session aims to equip healthcare professionals with practical knowledge to enhance patient safety and infection control practices related to intravascular catheter use.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the predominant sources of microbes causing intravascular catheter infections;
- List strategies to reduce risk of intravascular catheter infections;
- Describe antimicrobial lock therapy for prevention of intravascular catheter infections.
Session 5
Compendium of Strategies to Prevent CAUTIs: 2022 Updates
Time: 1:25 - 1:55 PM ET
This presentation offers a comprehensive overview of the latest methods to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Recent changes and additions to the CAUTI Compendium, providing participants with updated strategies to minimize infection risks, will be covered. Attendees will also learn how to incorporate diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship into their CAUTI prevention practices effectively. Additionally, the differences between infectious and noninfectious harms linked to CAUTIs will be explored, equipping healthcare professionals with the knowledge to improve patient outcomes.
Sponsor Session 3
CorMedix Sponsored Session: Reducing the Risk of Catheter Related Blood Stream Infections in Hemodialysis Patients
Time: 1:55 - 2:10 PM ET
In this sponsored session, learn about the risks of catheter related blood stream infections in hemodialysis patients. Opportunities for prevention will also be discussed, including the clinical data for a recent FDA-approved catheter lock solution. The presenter will cover ways for healthcare teams to work together to improve patient outcomes.
Sponsor Session 4
Wolters Kluwer Sponsored Session: SIR, SUR & CAD: Evaluate & Elevate Your Infection Prevention & Control Performance
Time: 2:10 - 2:25 PM ET
Infection Prevention leaders are often challenged with how to best evaluate their Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) program performance while also considering the unique attributes of their organization and patients they serve. As 2024 comes to a close, now is the time to revisit key performance indicators such as Standardized Infection Ratio (SIR), Standardized Utilization Ratio (SUR), and Cumulative Attributable Difference (CAD) to further enhance your IPC program in the new year. This Wolters Kluwer sponsored session recaps best practices when evaluating your IPC program performance, including reviewing the role of risk adjustment, discussing the value of readily available metrics, and sharing tips to consider in your own practice. Join our expert to ensure your program is set up for success in 2025!
Session 6
Strategies for Preventing C. difficile Infections in Hospitals
Time: 2:25 - 2:55 PM ET
This presentation will explore the current landscape of C. difficile infections in U.S. hospitals, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this persistent healthcare challenge. Attendees will gain insights into the most effective infection prevention strategies, including well-established and emerging practices. The session will also address the complexities and ongoing debates around additional preventative measures, offering a comprehensive understanding of how hospitals can enhance patient safety and reduce infection rates.
Learning Objectives:
- Define trends in C. difficile infections in the US;
- Identify essential strategies that all hospitals should implement for prevention of C. difficile infections;
- Describe additional and unresolved strategies for prevention of C. difficile infections in hospitals.
Session 7
Time: 2:55 - 3:25 PM ET
More information to come.
Closing Remarks: Key Takeaways
Time: 3:25 - 3:30 PM ET
| Time (ET) | Session Title | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00-10:10 | Welcome and Opening Remarks | |
| 10:10-10:40 | Session 1: Infection Prevention in Action: Partnering to Enhance Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) and Sepsis Prevention Strategies | Stephanie Holley, MBA, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC Director IPC Education and Professional Development Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) |
| 10:40-11:10 | Session 2: HAP, VAP, and All of That | Kelly Cawcutt, MD, MS, FACP, FIDSA, FCCM Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases & Critical Care Medicine Medical Director of Infection Control University of Nebraska Medical Center |
| 11:10-11:25 | Break | |
| 11:25-11:40 | BD Sponsored Session: The Impact of Drug-Resistant Infections in the Cancer Community | Diane Flayhart, MS Director, Global Public Health BD |
| 11:40-12:10 | Session 3: Health Inequity in Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance | David Calfee, MD, MS Director of the Healthcare-Associated Infections Division / Senior Science Advisor Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (CQuIPS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, US Department of Health and Human Services |
| 12:10-12:40 | BD Sponsored Session: Clinical Burden of Hospital Onset Bacteremia and Fungemia (HOB) | Kalvin Yu, MD, FIDSA
Vice President of Medical Affairs, North America, BD Samantha Bastow, PharmD, MBA Associate Director, Clinical Integration, Medical Affairs, US Region, BD |
| 12:40-12:55 | Break | |
| 12:55-1:25 | Session 4: Prevention of CRBSIs in Healthcare Settings | Leonard A. Mermel, DO, ScM, AM (Hon), FSHEA, FIDSA, FACP Professor of Medicine Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University Medical Director, Dept. of Epidemiology & Infection Prevention Brown University Health Adjunct Clinical Professor University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy |
| 1:25-1:55 | Session 5: Compendium of Strategies to Prevent CAUTIs: 2022 Updates | Payal Patel, MD, MPH, FIDSA System-Wide Medical Director of Antimicrobial Stewardship, Associate Professor Intermountain Health |
| 1:55-2:10 | CorMedix Sponsored Session: Reducing the Risk of Catheter Related Blood Stream Infections in Hemodialysis Patients | Anil Agarwal, MBBS, MD, FACP, FASN, FISN, FNKF, FASDIN Professor of Medicine University of California San Francisco |
| 2:10-2:25 | Wolters Kluwer Sponsored Session: SIR, SUR & CAD: Evaluate & Elevate Your Infection Prevention & Control Performance | Matt Weissenbach, DrPH, CPH, CIC, FAPIC Senior Director of Clinical Affairs Wolters Kluwer |
| 2:25-2:55 | Session 6: Strategies for Preventing C. difficile Infections in Hospitals | Larry K. Kociolek, MD, MSCI, FSHEA, FPIDS Vice President, System Preparedness, Prevention, and Response; Attending Physician, Division of Infectious Diseases; Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago |
| 2:55-3:25 | Session 7: More information to come | |
| 3:25-3:30 | Closing Remarks: Key Takeaways |
Anil Agarwal, MBBS, MD, FACP, FASN, FISN, FNKF, FASDIN
Professor of Medicine
University of California San Francisco
Anil K. Agarwal, MD, FACP, FASN, FISN, FNKF, FASDIN, is the Chief of Medicine at Veterans Affairs Central California Health Care System at Fresno, California and a Professor of Clinical Medicine at The University of California San Francisco at Fresno. Dr. Agarwal is a passionate clinician, educator, and author, and is an internationally recognized expert in hypertension, chronic kidney disease, dialysis, anemia, mineral bone disorders, and vascular access. He has conducted over 50 clinical trials, developed protocols, and published results of studies. He is a frequently sought speaker nationally and internationally. He serves and chairs many committees and boards, and also serves as editor and reviewer for several medical journals.
Samantha Bastow, PharmD, MBA
Associate Director, Clinical Integration, Medical Affairs, US Region
BD
As the Associate Director of Clinical Integration in Medical Affairs at BD, Samantha Bastow, PharmD, MBA, is responsible for overseeing and managing both the clinical and administrative aspects of the medical division of business. This includes innovation and new product and business development, lifecycle clinical evidence generation, market shaping and development, and safety and compliance. Prior to BD, she served as the Director of Clinical Pharmacy Services at the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she led inpatient and emergency clinical pharmacy service lines, including antimicrobial stewardship, in addition to formulary management, clinical decision support, business development, research and academic responsibilities. Samantha holds a PharmD from Palm Beach Atlantic University and an MBA with a specialization in data analytics from the University of Illinois. She completed a PGY1 residency at Sarasota Memorial Hospital followed by an emergency medicine pharmacy residency at Boston Medical Center.
David Calfee, MD, MS
Director of the Healthcare-Associated Infections Division / Senior Science Advisor
Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (CQuIPS), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, US Department of Health and Human Services
David P. Calfee, MD, MS, is an infectious disease physician and healthcare epidemiologist who serves as Senior Science Advisor and the Director of the Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) Division within the Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (CQuIPS) at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Prior to joining AHRQ, Dr. Calfee was a Professor of Medicine and Population Health Sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine, in New York, NY. He also served as the Chief Hospital Epidemiologist for NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. He has more than 20 years of experience in implementation and management of infection prevention and control programs and has conducted clinical research on healthcare-associated infections, antimicrobial resistance, and antimicrobial stewardship in a variety of healthcare settings. He currently also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
Kelly Cawcutt, MD, MS, FACP, FIDSA, FCCM
Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases & Critical Care Medicine / Medical Director of Infection Control
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Kelly Cawcutt, MD, MS, FACP, FIDSA, FCCM, is an Associate Professor of Medicine and board certified in Critical Care Medicine and Infectious Diseases at University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha. She is the Medical Director of Medical Quality and an Associate Director of Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology for Nebraska Medicine; and Co-Director of Digital Innovation and Social Media Strategy for the Infectious Diseases Division of UNMC. Nationally, she is involved with the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). Dr. Cawcutt’s research interests include infections in the intensive care unit, with focus on hospital-acquired infections.
Diane Flayhart, MS
Director, Global Public Health
BD
As a Director in Global Public Health at BD, Diane Flayhart, MS, is responsible for leading global policy and advocacy efforts on antimicrobial resistance. She works with global stakeholders in a collaborative and programmatic approach to strengthen healthcare systems. She also leads efforts for the Antimicrobial Resistance Fighter Coalition, a global organization that seeks to increase awareness of drug-resistant infections and encourage action. Prior to joining BD, Diane managed the clinical microbiology laboratory at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Stephanie Holley, MBA, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC
Director IPC Education and Professional Development
Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
Stephanie Holley, MBA, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC, has been an infection preventionist for the past 25 years. She began her healthcare journey as a registered nurse providing care for med/surg and oncology patients and spent time in the perioperative environment. She made a move from direct patient care to joining the University of Iowa’s Program of Hospital Epidemiology where she was the Lead Infection Preventionist. Recently, Stephanie transitioned from a member to staff role at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), where she now serves as Director of Infection Prevention & Control (IPC), Education & Professional Development.
Larry K. Kociolek, MD, MSCI, FSHEA, FPIDS
Vice President, System Preparedness, Prevention, and Response
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Larry K. Kociolek, MD, MSCI, FSHEA, FPIDS, is an Attending Physician in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vice President of System Preparedness, Prevention, and Response at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and he is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. At Lurie Children’s, Dr. Kociolek leads preparedness, prevention, and response efforts for all hazards, including emerging pathogens. He serves as site PI for the HRSA-funded Pediatric Pandemic Network.
Dr. Kociolek is the Principal Investigator of several NIH-funded translational research studies focused on the epidemiology and prevention of healthcare-associated and other high-consequence infections in children, particularly C. difficile infection and COVID-19. He serves on the Pediatric Leadership Council for the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) whose goal is to lead national advocacy, research, and education efforts for prevention of healthcare-associated infections in children. Through SHEA, he has led an international group of experts to define best practices for the prevention of C. difficile infections in adults and children in acute care hospitals.
Leonard A. Mermel, DO, ScM, AM (Hon), FSHEA, FIDSA, FACP
Professor of Medicine
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Leonard A. Mermel, DO, ScM, AM (Hon), FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA, is a Professor of Medicine at Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, an Adjunct Clinical Professor at the University of Rhode and College of Pharmacy, and a Medical Director of the Department of Epidemiology & Infection Prevention for the Lifespan Hospital System. Dr. Mermel was a Technical Expert Panel Member of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Patient Safety Monitoring System and is a Subject Matter Expert for the AHRQ Safety Program for HAI Prevention. He was 2005 President of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and the 2014 SHEA Mentor Scholar Award recipient.
Dr. Mermel is a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Guideline Development Group for the prevention of bloodstream infections and other infections associated with intravascular catheters. He has co-authored U.S. guidelines dealing with prevention and management of intravascular catheter infections and co-authored 400 articles, textbook chapters, and abstracts dealing with infection prevention and infectious diseases. As of October 2024, his H-Index is 58 and Sum of Times Cited is 32,119. Drs. Mermel and Classen developed the idea for the Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals, a standard guidance used in the U.S. and the basis for some National Patient Safety Goals. He is Co-Course Director of the Annual Fellows Course in Healthcare Epidemiology, Infection Prevention, and Antimicrobial Stewardship. He has lectured at the National Institutes of Health, Institute of Medicine, NASA Johnson Space Center, and internationally on infectious disease issues. His research focus has been the prevention of healthcare-associated infections.
Payal Patel, MD, MPH, FIDSA
System-Wide Medical Director of Antimicrobial Stewardship, Associate Professor
Intermountain Health
Payal Patel, MD, MPH, FIDSA, is an associate professor at Intermountain Health and the systemwide medical director of antimicrobial stewardship. She is an infectious diseases physician and is passionate about improving patient safety and antimicrobial stewardship. Dr. Patel serves on the Presidential Advisory Council on Combatting Antibiotic Resistance and has worked with developing antimicrobial stewardship programs in several countries including India, Japan, and Italy. She is the lead author on the most recent CAUTI compendium.
Matt Weissenbach, DrPH, CPH, CIC, FAPIC
Senior Director of Clinical Affairs
Wolters Kluwer
Matt Weissenbach, DrPH, CPH, CIC, FAPIC, is the Senior Director of Clinical Affairs with Wolters Kluwer. He is responsible for leading clinical efforts in the design, development, implementation, and support of Wolters Kluwer Clinical Surveillance software solutions. He and his team focus on building strong clinical partnerships and supporting healthcare teams with guidance and resources to provide high-quality care and reach optimal patient outcomes. Dr. Weissenbach has practiced as an epidemiologist and infection preventionist for more than fifteen years. His practice and research interests include the role of clinical decision support and technology in advancing infection prevention and the implementation science of multidisciplinary approaches in antimicrobial stewardship. He earned his Doctor of Public Health and Master of Public Health degrees from the University of South Florida (USF) College of Public Health. He also serves as adjunct faculty at USF, teaching and mentoring students on emerging infectious diseases, epidemiology, and the principles of infection prevention and control. Dr. Weissenbach is board-certified in infection control and epidemiology (CIC®) and public health (CPH®). He received the designation of Fellow of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (FAPIC®) in 2020 and serves as an active member of both APIC and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
Kalvin Yu, MD, FIDSA
Vice President of Medical Affairs, North America
BD
As the Vice President of Medical Affairs for North America, Kalvin Yu, MD, FIDSA, is responsible for providing medical and scientific leadership and operationally viable BD Solutions with clinicians and healthcare systems across the United States. Before BD, Dr. Yu was the Chief Integration Officer and Chief of Infectious Diseases at Southern California Kaiser Permanente, where he implemented multidisciplinary quality and patient safety programs among different hospitals and service lines. Dr. Yu trained at the UCLA School of Medicine and was a former Associate Professor of Infectious Disease and Global Public Health at NYU. Published research areas include patient outcomes, readmissions, and quality metric benchmarking. He was a member of the CDC Antibiotic Utilization workgroup, and has been an invited speaker at IDSA, SHEA, Pew Trusts, and Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Dr. Yu was nominated and inducted as a Fellow in the Infectious Diseases Society of America in 2020.
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