Beta Lactam Antibiotic Update: Improving Patient Safety

Beta Lactam Antibiotic Update: Improving Patient Safety is organized by American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).

Released/Updated: Nov 25, 2018
Expires: Dec 31, 2020

Accreditation:
• Contact Hours: 1.00
• CERP A: 1.00
• Pharmacology Hours 0.75
• AACN programming meets the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education contact hours for license and/or certification renewal.

Description:
The development of highly resistant organisms is increasing, and appropriate pharmacologic interventions are becoming more complicated. The beta-lactam antibiotics remain a prominent weapon used to combat resistant organisms, especially gram-negative bacteria. Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance for gram-negative bacteria are reviewed and new antibiotics are discussed. Monotherapy and combination therapy are options in treating these challenging organisms, but criteria for implementation need to be understood to provide proper antibiotic stewardship. This concept would include optimizing pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the beta-lactams. National guidelines related to types of infections are incorporated in the discussion. APRN Pharmacology content = 75%.

Objective:
• Discuss the various mechanisms for gram-negative bacteria resistance.
• Consider pros and cons of monotherapy vs combination therapy.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of continuous vs intermittent infusion of beta-lactam antibiotics.

Topics: Infectious Disease, Pharmacology

Level: AdvancedBeginner

Population: Adult

Role: APRN

Additional details will be posted as soon as information is available.