Cardinal Health Focuses on Safety and Infection Prevention at APIC Educational Conference

At the annual gathering of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) June 4-6 in San Antonio, Texas, Cardinal Health will focus on continuing education efforts and consistent solutions for infection control.

At the event, Cardinal Health will host several continuing education (CE) activities focused on better patient outcomes, patient and practitioner safety and prevention of infection and cross contamination. Key topics include:

- New diagnostic options for MRSA/MSSA bacteremia Appropriate antibiotic therapy for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infections is critical to optimize patient outcomes, but therapy may be delayed because conventional testing methods may take up to 48 to 72 hours to identify and characterize isolates from positive blood cultures. To help practitioners face the continuing challenge of early diagnosis and effective management of MRSA/MSSA bacteremia, this continuing education activity will explore the technology and potential benefits of a system for accelerated differential diagnosis and antibiotic susceptibility testing.

- Venous access: Infection prevention and safety Intravenous catheters can put patients at risk for local and systemic infectious complications, including Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) such as local site infections and catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). Practitioners who insert venous access catheters, those who care for patients after catheter insertion, and those responsible for infection surveillance and control should stay apprised of the latest infection prevention guidelines and technologically advanced patient care items. This continuing education activity will provide an overview of the clinical and economic implications of HAIs and CRBSIs; review procedural steps for the insertion, use, and care of venous access catheters in order to reduce the risk of infection; and discuss technological advancements in vascular access catheters, dressings, catheter securement devices and kits.    

- Understanding facial protection: What to know and what to wear Todays healthcare workers are confronted with the challenges of new and drug-resistant pathogens as well as potential bloodborne and inhalation hazards. This continuing nursing education activity will provide an overview of the health hazards inherent to the perioperative environment, review the various types of facial protection devices available, and review clinical considerations regarding the appropriate selection and use of facial protection devices in various surgical practice settings.
    

Beyond offering CE activities to all eligible attendees, Cardinal Health will further support clinician education at its APIC Booth #1434 by highlighting solutions for infection control.  Attendees can learn how to:

- Empower better patient outcomes with the KeyPath MRSA/MSSA Blood Culture Test, an accelerated diagnostic test providing reportable MRSA and MSSA infections up to two days faster than traditional methods so clinicians can optimize treatment and improve patient outcomes. This new technology is only available from Cardinal Health, the exclusive distributor for this product
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- Improve infection prevention and cross-contamination with offerings such as the double-layer DuraBlue Sterilization Wrap, which helps maintain the sterility of surgical instruments; the Cardinal Health Tiburon® Surgical Drape, which has the industrys largest critical zone; and, Presource® Procedure Packs, which promote a safe, consistent standard of care and help increase safety from nursing units to the catheterization lab to the operating room and beyond
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- Support patient and practitioner safety with products such as the companys Flexal® Nitrile Exam Gloves and Protexis Surgical Glove double-gloving systems; its recently released Smart-Seal Surgical Mask, designed to enhance fit and help reduce fog on eyewear; and its SmartGown, RoyalSilk and Astound Surgical Gowns.