Infectious Diseases

The Opioid Crisis

Addiction to prescription opioids and heroin has become a national emergency. This module provides clinicians with a description of the epidemic and its effective treatments.

This activity...

Screening/Testing for HCV

The USPSTF recommends screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in persons at high risk for infection. The USPSTF also recommends offering 1-time screening for HCV infection to adults born between 1945...

Post-HCV Treatment Follow-up and Reinfection

Virologic cure of hepatitis C does not mean a cure of advanced liver disease. Ongoing evaluation and management of liver disease is indicated for cirrhotic patients after achieving SVR. Non-hepatologist HCV...

Hep C: Issues in PWID

Hepatitis C treatment is often withheld from PWID due to concerns regarding adherence, perceived lack of efficacy, and perceived risk of reinfection. PWID are a difficult to reach population leading to...

HCV Screening and Linkage to Care: The Norton Experience

Current CDC guidelines recommend universal screening of patients born between 1945 and 1965 as well as other patients based on risk.

All eligible patients are not being screened and patients with...

Heroin And Fentanyl: Lab Perspective

Drug overdose is a huge problem facing the health care system in Kentucky. Drug overdose deaths are acute poisoning deaths due to prescription or illicit drugs. According to data from the National Center for...

Antibiotic Stewardship: Regulations, Mandates, and Use of National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)

Improved awareness of components of antimicrobial stewardship programs and knowledge of resources available to providers and facilities to meet mandates and conform to regulations & Education on...

Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines and Strategies for Implementing Antibiotic Stewardship Programs in Healthcare Settings

Culture stewardship is a pivotal component to appropriate diagnosis and treatment plans. A multidisciplanary approach and staying adept on the newest literature available is essential for optimal patient...

Interprofessional Collaboration – Why is it Important?

Antibiotic stewardship has primarily involved the physician and pharmacist; however, the overuse and misuse of antibiotics requires interprofessional collaboration and teamwork that includes physician,...

Bugonomics: Cost of Unnecessary Antibiotic Use

Inappropriate and over use of antibiotics lead to antimicrobial resistance, which is a public health threat. 

Diagnostic Stewardship: A Key to Decreasing Unnecessary Antimicrobial Use

Unnecessary testing can lead to unnecessary treatments. Improving testing of infectious disease syndromes can be a powerful tactic to improve the use of antibiotics.

The Overlooked and Often Underutilized Role of Nurses in Building Success Antibiotic Stewardship Programs

Antimicrobial resistance is a global, national, statewide, and facility-wide crisis. Patients with multi-drug resistant infections will continue to require expert nursing care in the hospital, long-term care...