"Grand Rounds Address Impact of Antibiotic-Resistant Superbug on Healthcare Facilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) will hold a series of Grand Rounds in various states throughout the country, starting in December and continuing into 2007. The Grand Rounds are designed to educate healthcare professionals and healthcare administrators on how to eliminate the transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the antibiotic-resistant superbug impacting millions of patients worldwide.

Over the next six months APICs Grand Rounds: Elimination of MRSA Transmission will be held in Washington, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Dallas, and New York City. The program will feature nationally recognized physicians and infection prevention professionals discussing the consequences of MRSA, an increasingly prevalent and deadly organism in healthcare facilities. More importantly, the panel will highlight successful, systems-wide approaches that have effectively combated the increasingly troublesome infection.

Leading institutions are proving that significant reductions in MRSA can be achieved and sustained through a combination of committed leadership and the application of best practices, said Kathy L. Warye, APICs CEO. The Grand Rounds series is intended to build awareness and accelerate the learning necessary to combat MRSA.  In keeping with our zero tolerance position on healthcare-associated infections, this program is intended to clearly demonstrate to clinicians and healthcare administrators how they can create effective strategies for protecting their patients from this deadly infection. By learning how successful healthcare institutions have implemented scientific methodologies, hospitals will be better equipped to introduce effective measures in their own facilities.

The Grand Rounds program, sponsored by BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), is aimed at both clinicians and healthcare executives faced with the clinical and financial impact of MRSA in their facilities.

BD is proud to sponsor APIC for this educational series to promote best practices in healthcare, with the ultimate goal of eradicating MRSA, said Edward J. Ludwig, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of BD. APIC has demonstrated leadership in driving change in infection prevention and control. BDs support for this effort is central to our commitment to prevent healthcare-associated infections and help all people live healthy lives."

Source: APIC