Strategies for Managing Clostridioides difficile Infections
Target Audience: Pharmacist
Course Overview
Clostridioides difficile infection is a hospital-acquired infection. It continues to pose significant challenges in healthcare settings, with subsequent increases in morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Pharmacy teams play pivotal roles in Clostridioides difficile infection management through the application of antimicrobial stewardship and infection control and the provision of patient education. This continuing education activity aims to provide pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with comprehensive knowledge and practical strategies for effectively preventing and managing Clostridioides difficile infection. The pathophysiology and epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile infection will be reviewed, and detailed diagnostic and management strategies will be discussed.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Describe the underlying pathophysiology of and risk factors for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI)
- Identify methods by which to prevent CDI
- Compare and Contrast management strategies for CDI
- Recall methods by which to educate patients and caregivers on the prevention and treatment of CDI
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. Etiology and Epidemiology
III. Risk Factors for CDI
A. Antibiotic Use
B. Use of Gastric Acid Suppressors and Other Drugs
C. Age
D. Comorbidities
E. Clinical Characteristics and Interventions
IV. Pathophysiology of CDI
V. Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis
A. Clinical Manifestations
B. Diagnosis
C. Classification of CDI
VI. Prevention and Management of CDI
A. Prevention
B. Guideline-Based Management of CDI
C. Treatment of Nonsevere CDI
D. Treating Severe CDI
E. Fulminant CDI
VII. Surgical Options and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
for Severe and Fulminant CDI
VIII. Antimicrobial Stewardship and Prevention Strategies
IX. The Role of the Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technicians
X. Summary
From July 17, 2024 through July 17, 2027, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Liz Fredrickson, PharmD, BCPS, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. Pamela Sardo and Liz Fredrickson, PharmD, BCPS, have no conflicts of interest or financial relationships regarding the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.