Biofilms In Medicine - Patients Threatened by Highly Organized Militant Pathogens

After advancing to a forward position near enemy lines, Roman infantryman would maneuver into an organized, protective, lethal military formation. With shields raised and swords pointed outward, the troops could withstand wave after wave of formidable assaults and yet stand ready to break out and attack when the enemy exhausted its weaponry.  So it is with biofilms; organized bacteria that attach tenaciously to device and environmental surfaces and rapidly form a slimy/glue-like protective coating shielding the highly organized army of bacteria from soaps, disinfectants, antibiotics, and sterilization. Yet, they are capable of launching aggressive or insidious infections.  This course will discuss the role of microbial biofilms in human infections generally, describe their formation on medical devices, and explain how biofilms in the healthcare environment and poorly cleaned instruments have caused notable outbreaks and poor patient outcomes. 

 

This webinar will:

1.    Define the 5 stages of biofilm formation

2.    Identify biofilm characteristics that render them threats to optimal patient outcomes

3.    Describe how biofilms (dead or alive) harm patients

4.    List how we can reduce the threat of biofilms in healthcare situations

Eligible for 1.0 contact hour(s) of continuing education

**This activity is provided by Infection Control Today, a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 15619, for 1 contact hour of continuing education.

Sponsored by:

Speaker:

Dr. Wava Truscott

Dr. Wava Truscott is Director, Medical Sciences and Clinical Education, Kimberly-Clark Health Care. Her PhD is in Comparative Pathology with major emphasis in Microbiology and Immunology.  Dr. Truscott utilizes her years of experience in healthcare, knowledge of disease states and passion for infection prevention, to support national standards development, product research and clinical education.