CRE: Beware the latest Superbug

Webinar Summary

Carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is increasingly a cause of infection. Critically ill patients are at greater risk, and morbidity and mortality are high because these bacteria are drug-resistant. The spread of infection within healthcare facilities can be exacerbated by lack of early recognition which delays appropriate treatment and proper isolation. Learn about infection risk and treatment options, and reaffirm the knowledge that infection prevention measures are essential.

This webinar will not only increase your awareness, but it will also identify steps you can take to promote good antibiotic stewardship, helping to decrease the incidence of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

Objectives

Identify patients at increased risk and the signs and symptoms of CRE infection.
Describe prevention strategies and CRE treatment options.
Define the role of the bedside nurse in good antibiotic stewardship.

Presenter

Douglas E. Houghton, MSN, ARNP, CCRN, ACNPC, FAANP

Houghton has an extensive background in critical care, with a nursing career spanning more than 25 years. He is a national leader in advancing the role of the nurse practitioner within the critical care environment. Houghton has clinical expertise in antibiotics and infection, ethics and end-of-life care, and performance of invasive procedures, and he has frequently published and lectured on these and other topics on national and international levels. He serves as a clinical resource on treatment of infection, infection control and infection prevention for his hospital. He has been an active member of the hospital’s Ethics Committee for more than 10 years, and consults on complex clinical ethics cases. Houghton is educated as a family and acute care nurse practitioner, and holds national certification in acute care (ACNPC) and in critical care nursing (CCRN). He was inducted as a fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners in 2011, for recognized national contributions to the nurse practitioner profession. He has served as a nurse practitioner serving in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit at Ryder Trauma Center, Jackson Health System in Miami, for more than 20 years.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must attend/view/read the entire activity and complete the associated evaluation to be awarded the contact hours or CERP. No partial credit will be awarded.

Disclosure

This activity has been reviewed by the Nurse Planner. It has been determined that the material presented here shows no bias. Approval of a continuing education activity does not imply endorsement by AACN or ANCC of any commercial products displayed or discussed in conjunction with the activity.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is accredited with distinction as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC's) Commission on Accreditation, ANCC Provider Number 0012 (60 min contact hour). AACN has been approved as a provider of continuing education in nursing by the California State Board of Registered Nursing, California Provider number CEP1036 contact hours (50 min contact hour).

AACN programming meets the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education contact hours for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting CE to fulfill continuing education requirements.