January 12, 2007

Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease in the Long-Term Care Setting
Complimentary Online Continuing Education Activity

Healthcare professionals who work in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) should be aware of the emergence of a new strain of Clostridium difficile that produces greater quantities of toxins A and B, is more resistant to fluoroquinolones, and is associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality.

Commonly seen in residents of LTCFs, it is urgent that medical directors, consultant pharmacists, and registered nurses who work in these facilities learn about the changing epidemiology of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD), the epidemic strain of
C. difficile, and the characteristics of patients with CDAD, especially the markers associated with more severe disease.

State-of-the-art methods of prevention and control, early diagnosis, and prompt aggressive treatment can optimize patient outcomes.

A complimentary online continuing education activity for physicians, pharmacists, and registered nurses is available at www.RMEI.com/CDAD540. This free activity consists of a Lecture Presentation, a Learning Assessment, and an Evaluation Form. The content of this virtual lecture was derived from a live teleconference in October 2006, as presented by Alex T. Makris, MD, CMD. Dr. Makris is President of the New Jersey American Medical Directors Association, an infectious diseases consultant, and a multi-facility medical director.

After completing this activity, participants should be better able to:
• Identify the changing epidemiology and clinical spectrum of disease caused by
  C. difficile
• Specify the current state of C. difficile infection in the long-term care setting
• Identify optimal therapies in the treatment of C. difficile in the long-term care setting
• Identify prevention and control measures that may contain the spread of CDAD

Co-sponsored by Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC and Postgraduate Institute for Medicine, this accredited activity is supported by an educational grant from ViroPharma Incorporated.

Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC is a full-service medical education company that is dedicated to providing comprehensive medical education to healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers. Our mission is to design programs that improve diagnosis and treatment through a variety of educational programming such as national and international symposia, teleconferences, live meetings, enduring print materials, and interactive Internet programs.