Sponsored by the North American Center for Continuing Medical Education (NACCME)

Target Audience

This activity is for podiatrists, infectious disease physicians, general surgeons, vascular surgeons and orthopedic surgeons.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:

• cite current statistics on the prevalence of MRSA
• discuss the potential impact of MRSA in diabetic foot infections and related complications
• review key risk factors for developing healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) and community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA)
• compare and contrast the characteristics of HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA
• discuss guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society Of America (IDSA) as they relate to diagnosing diabetic foot infections and appropriate culturing practices
• review the importance of appropriate antibiotic selection and how it can help reduce the potential for antibiotic resistant strains
• compare the currently available anti-MRSA agents in regard to efficacy and safety
• review new research on emerging cephalosporin and glycopeptide agents with anti-MRSA activity
  

CME Accreditation

This activity is sponsored by the North American Center for Continuing Medical Education (NACCME). NACCME is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. NACCME designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. This activity has been planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Essential Areas and Policies.

Podiatrists

NACCME is approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education as a sponsor of continuing education in podiatric medicine. This program is approved for 1 continuing education contact hour.

A score of 70 percent or above will comprise a passing grade. A documentation of credit will be awarded to participants who successfully complete the exam. Those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form online may immediately print their documentation of credit.

There is no fee for the activity.

Release Date: September 24, 2008

Expiration Date: October 2, 2009

Participating Faculty

David G. Armstrong, DPM, PhD
Professor of Surgery
Director of Lower Extremity Research
and the Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance
University of Arizona

Benjamin Lipsky, MD
Professor of Medicine
University Of Washington School Of Medicine
Director, General Internal Medicine Clinic
Head, Antibiotic Research Clinic
VA Puget Sound Health Care System
Seattle

Warren Joseph, DPM, FIDSA
Consultant, Lower Extremity Infectious Diseases
Fellow, Infectious Diseases Society of America
Attending Podiatrist, Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Coatesville, Pa.

Disclosures

All those in a position to control content of continuing education programs sponsored by NACCME, LLC are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with relevant commercial companies related to this activity.  All conflicts of interest that are identified are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest.  If a conflict is identified, it is the responsibility of NACCME to initiate a mechanism to resolve the conflict(s).  The existence of these interests or relationships is not viewed as implying bias or decreasing the value of the presentation. All educational materials are reviewed for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies reported, and levels of evidence.

Planning Committee: J. Hall and L. Jumper, HMP Communications and T. Levy, NACCME have disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationship with any commercial interest.

Faculty

Dr. Armstrong has disclosed that he has no relevant financial relationship with any commercial interest.

Dr. Lipsky has disclosed tht he has received grant/research support from Merck, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer. He is a consultant for Cubist, Pfizer and Wyeth. He is a scientific advisor for Merck and Pfizer. He is a member of the speakers’ bureau for Merck and Pfizer

Dr. Joseph has disclosed that he is a consultant for Pfizer and is a member of the speakers’ bureau for Pfizer and Merck.

Clinical Reviewer: Dr. Kosinski has disclosed that he has no relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest

Grant Suport

Supported by an educational grant from Pfizer

Representatives of the granting organization may not register on behalf of participants