Meeting the Challenges in HABP/VABP: A Time to Maximize Outcomes in Gram-Negative Resistance

Meeting the Challenges in Hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP) / ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP): A Time to Maximize Outcomes in Gram-Negative Resistance is organized by Center for Independent Healthcare Education, LLC and Vemco MedEd, LLC.

Release Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Expiration Date: Thursday, November 19, 2020

Accreditation: 
Physicians
Center designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Pharmacists
AccreditationCenter for Independent Healthcare Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider for continuing pharmacy education. Center has assigned 2.0 contact hours (0.2 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy education credits for participating in this activity.

Educational Overview:
Hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP) and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP) continue to place a substantial clinical and economic burden on healthcare systems despite prevention efforts. VABP is associated with high mortality that can range from 20% to 50%. Though HABP is considered less severe than VABP, serious complications occur in approximately half of these cases. Compounding the challenges of treating HABP/VABP is the prevalence of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, including ESBL-producing and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and MDR P. aeruginosa. As the CDC and WHO have identified these Gram-negative pathogens as serious healthcare threats, Infectious Disease specialists must continue to spread awareness and implement strategies to minimize the burden of these infections that complement antimicrobial stewardship efforts.

Clinicians must be aware of the latest tools that can greatly enhance their ability to effectively identify and manage HABP/VABP caused by MDR Gram-negative pathogens. These tools include rapid diagnostics that can accurately detect resistant pathogens as well as potent antimicrobial agents with novel modes of action that can overcome resistance mechanisms. ID clinicians must have a thorough understanding of the properties of the newer therapeutic options in order to optimally utilize therapeutics in a pathogen-specific manner when confronted with MDR pathogens.

Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of the educational activity, the learner should be able to:
• Discuss current epidemiological trends and resistance mechanisms of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria
• Differentiate between hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP) and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP) when considering the burden, cause, and management approaches
• Identify how to optimally utilize the available tools aimed at improving clinical outcomes of patients with HABP/VABP, including rapid diagnostic techniques and newer antimicrobial agents
• Evaluate the benefits in utilizing a pathogen-specific approach when managing patients with HABP/VABP caused by MDR Gram-negative pathogens