OVERVIEW
This free activity, entitled “Clostridium difficile Infection: Best Practices for Prevention and Treatment in Long-Term Care,” consists of two Lecture Presentations, a Learning Assessment, and an Evaluation form. The content of this virtual lecture is derived from a symposium presented on June 23, 2008, during the 2008 National Conference of NADONA/LTC.

MEDIUM: Virtual Lecture
INTERNET RELEASE DATE: August 4, 2008
(Continuing education credit is no longer available for this activity.)

Estimated time to complete this activity: 1.5 hours

TARGET AUDIENCE
This virtual lecture is designed to meet the educational needs of registered nurses who work in long-term care settings and who are involved in the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI).

ACTIVITY PURPOSE
This virtual lecture is intended to assist healthcare professionals in understanding how to manage CDI in patients requiring long-term care.

STATEMENT OF NEED
Clostridium difficile is a gram-positive bacterium that causes gastrointestinal infections ranging in severity from mild forms of colitis to toxic megacolon and death.1 Management of C. difficile infection (CDI) has become increasingly challenging, as rates of this infection have nearly tripled in US hospitals in recent years.2 Moreover, 38 US states have reported outbreaks of a novel, epidemic strain of C. difficile that is highly resistant to fluoroquinolones.2,3

Residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are at increased risk of developing CDI due to advanced age and frequent courses of antibiotic therapy.4 Proper treatment or prevention of CDI transmission in these settings is critical to reduce the risk of severe CDI and CDI-associated mortality. Healthcare professionals in the long-term care setting should be aware of the most effective strategies for the prevention and management of CDI in order to reduce outbreaks of this virulent pathogen.

¹ Gerding DN, et al. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1995;16:459-477.
² McDonald LC, et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2006;12:409-415.
³ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Available at: http://cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/id_Cdiff_data.html. Accessed April 23, 2008.
⁴ Makris AT, Gelone S. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2007;8:290-299.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

• Identify the epidemiology of C. difficile in the long-term care setting
• Outline diagnostic methods for C. difficile
• Review treatment options for C. difficile infection
• Cite infection control strategies for C. difficile in the long-term care setting

METHOD OF PARTICIPATION
There are no fees for participating and receiving CME credit for this activity. During the period August 4, 2008, through August 4, 2009, participants must 1) read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures; 2) study the educational activity; 3) complete the Learning Assessment by recording the best answer to each question in the "Learning Assessment Answers" box on the Evaluation form; 4) complete the Evaluation form; and 5) mail or fax the Evaluation form with the Learning Assessment answers to Postgraduate Institute for Medicine. 6) You may also complete the Learning Assessment online at www.cmeuniversity.com. Click on "Find Post-Test/Evaluation by Course" on the navigation menu, and search by project ID 5727.

Participants must receive a score of at least 70% on the Learning Assessment and must complete and submit the Evaluation form to successfully complete this activity. Participants who successfully complete the Learning Assessment and Evaluation form via www.cmeuniversity.com will have a statement of credit made available immediately. Participants who successfully complete this activity and submit the Learning Assessment and Evaluation form via fax or mail will be issued a statement of credit via US mail in 4 to 6 weeks.

NURSING CONTINUING EDUCATION

CNA/ANCC
This educational activity for 1.5 contact hours is provided by Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM).

PIM is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Colorado Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

A statement of credit will be issued only upon receipt of a completed post-test and activity Evaluation form.

CALIFORNIA BOARD OF REGISTERED NURSING
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 13485 for 1.8 contact hours.

FACULTY
Lynn Chilton, DSN, RN, GNP-BC/FNP-BC
Lynn Chilton, DSN, RN, GNP-BC/FNP-BC, is a Professor and Coordinator of the Gerontological and Geropsych Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of South Alabama College of Nursing in Mobile, Alabama.

Maria E. Pelleschi, RN, MS, CCRN
Maria E. Pelleschi, RN, MS, CCRN, is a Nursing Instructor at Bryant & Stratton College in Parma, Ohio.