Managing Clinical Expectations in Infections Due to Gram-Positive Bacteria

Activity Description
The number of formally ID-trained pharmacists and physicians are limited across the country. This means that there is a growing role for general pharmacists and non-ID physicians to optimally manage their patients’ antibiotics in the hospital or outpatient setting as well as fulfill necessary expert roles in antibiotic stewardship programs. In order to do so, physicians and pharmacists will need education regarding the current state of drug-resistant infections and current/emerging antibiotic therapies. Physicians and pharmacists will need to understand the nuances of new antibiotics for treatment of MDR GPB and their role on the hospital formulary. Along with enhanced knowledge of this complex area of infectious diseases management, the ability to effectively communicate this knowledge and educate others on the healthcare team should be fostered and fulfilled. These e-monograph was designed to address these needs.

Target Audience
The intended audience for this activity is infectious disease physicians and pharmacists.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, learners should be better able to:

1. Recall the epidemiology and mechanisms of drug-resistance among Gram-positive bacterial (GPB) infections

2. Analyze the pharmacology and antibacterial activity of current and emerging antibiotic therapies for multi-drug resistant (MDR) GPB infections including MRSA and VRE.

3. Explain the evidence and utility of new antibiotic therapies for MDR GPB infections.

4. Evaluate the role of the physician and pharmacist in managing antibiotic therapies for MDR GPB infections and their role as antibiotic stewardship program members