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Improving Antimicrobial Stewardship Across Alabama (IASAA) Morning Symposium
Antimicrobial resistance has become an urgent global health threat. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur each year in the United States alone. The major contributing factor to the development of antimicrobial resistance is the inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial stewardship is the best way to combat antimicrobial resistance through the selection of the most appropriate antibiotic for a given infection, which will result in the best clinical outcome for the patient with a minimal risk of both adverse effects and the development of antimicrobial resistance. This program will introduce the concept of antimicrobial stewardship and will describe the regulatory requirements regarding antimicrobial stewardship and will review the different classes of antimicrobial agents, with a particular focus on their spectrums of activity.
This program is sponsored through a grant from the Alabama Department of Public Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Infectious Diseases and Outbreaks through a Cooperative Agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, grant number 6 NU50CK000545-03-02, Strengthening HAI/AR (SHARP) CFDA 93.323.
Target Audience
This knowledge-based course is intended for Pharmacists (ACPE), Physician Assistants (ACCME), Physicians (ACCME), Nurse Practitioners (ABN), and Nurses (ABN).
Learning Objectives
- Define antimicrobial stewardship, including its clinical relevance and importance
- Discuss strategies to improve inappropriate antibiotic medication use
- Review current Joint Commission Guidelines for Antibiotic Stewardship for acute care hospitals
- Discuss current guidelines for Antibiotic Stewardship issued by Centers for Medicare/Medicaid
- Identify the different classes of antimicrobial agents available and review individual agents within each class
- Describe the spectrum of activity of the antimicrobial drug classes
IASAA Morning Program Packet.pdf
8am Introduction to Antimicrobial Stewardship - Dr. Elizabeth Covington
This presentation will explore the concept of antimicrobial stewardship, emphasizing its clinical relevance and importance. Participants will be able to identify the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s Core Elements of antimicrobial stewardship, discuss strategies to improve inappropriate antibiotic use, and review resources available to assist healthcare professionals with clinical decision-making related to antibiotics. The session will be interactive, featuring case vignettes to enhance learning and application.
9am National Regulatory Requirements for Antibiotic Stewardship in Acute Care Hospitals - Dr. Danielle Kunz
Antibiotic Stewardship is required for acute care hospitals participating in the Center for Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement programs and for those seeking/maintaining Joint Commission accreditation status. This program will provide a comprehensive review of these guidelines and provide updates regarding recent changes.
10am Bugs & Drugs: An Antimicrobial Agents Review - Dr. Spencer Durham
The cornerstone of antimicrobial stewardship is the correct use of antimicrobial agents. In order to use antimicrobial agents correctly, clinicians must be familiar with the drugs themselves, including their spectrum activity, mechanisms of action, adverse effect profile, and major drug interactions. Additionally, multiple new agents have been brought to the market in recent years, and clinicians must be aware of where these new agents fit into clinical practice. This presentation will provide a comprehensive review of current antimicrobials on the market, with a particular focus on their spectrums of activity and use in clinical practice.
12pm Conclude
A copy of the presentation slides are located within the course content. Once you have registered for the course, please navigate to the 'Take Course' tab and click the navy blue 'Take Course' button. Navigate to the 'Course Materials' section of the course using the left-hand menu and download a PDF version of the program presentation. Course Materials will be added to the course the week of the live event.
Participants will be provided the webinar link once enrolled in the course by accessing the course content under 'Take Course' - Course Instructions and Course Material. Please use this link to join the live webinar at the scheduled time. All registered participants will also receive an email the day before the program with program information, including the webinar link.
Dr. Elizabeth Covington, Pharm.D., BCIDP is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, she received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Furman University in 2012 and completed her doctor of pharmacy at the Harrison College of Pharmacy in 2016. Upon graduation, she went on to complete an ASHP-accredited post-graduate residency at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Dr. Covington joined the Harrison College of Pharmacy faculty in May 2023 as an associate clinical professor. She returned to The Plains after six years as an assistant professor at the Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy. In her position at Auburn, she teaches within the Practice Ready Curriculum in both the didactic and experiential settings. Dr. Covington is active in several state and national pharmacy organizations, including the Alabama Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). In 2019, she became a Board-Certified Infectious Disease Pharmacist. She was also recognized by AACP in 2022 with the AACP Women Faculty SIG Early Transformative Teaching Award. Elizabeth and her husband, Michael, reside in Auburn with their two children. In her free time, she enjoys baking, watching Auburn sports and listening to audiobooks.
Dr. Spencer Durham, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCIDP is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and also serves as the Director of Alumni & Professional Affairs with the Harrison College of Pharmacy. Originally from Arab, Alabama, he completed his pre-pharmacy coursework at Auburn University and graduated with his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Harrison College of Pharmacy in 2007. He went on to complete an ASHP-accredited post-graduate residency at Children's Health System in Birmingham, Alabama in 2008. After completion of his residency, he joined the staff at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida as a clinical pharmacist specialist, a role he maintained for five years. In 2013, Dr. Durham joined the faculty of the Harrison College of Pharmacy, where he teaches in various courses throughout the curriculum. Additionally, Dr. Durham serves as the Director of Alumni and Professional Affairs under the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Outreach. As part of this position, he works proactively with HCOP alumni and other health care professionals from throughout the state and region to foster the development of innovative practice models and to expand and enhance opportunities for continuous professional development. Dr. Durham also oversees the Office of Alumni and Professional Affairs, which is responsible for the many continuing education programs offered each year by HCOP. Dr. Durham has published more than 20 peer-reviewed articles in respected journals and several book chapters. He is an active speaker each year at national, state, and local conferences, where he educates healthcare professionals on topics related to infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship. Additionally, Dr. Durham is active in several state and national organizations including the Alabama Pharmacy Association (APA), the Alabama Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (AlSHP), the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP).
Dr. Danielle Kunz is a graduate of the Auburn University School of Pharmacy. Following graduation, she completed an ASHP accredited Pharmacy Residency at UAB Hospital. During her 21 year career as a UAB Hospital pharmacist, she practiced in many areas including; central pharmacy, internal medicine, bone marrow transplant, hematology/oncology and infectious disease. In addition to clinical practice, she served from 2004-2012 as the Coordinator for Pharmacy Residency Programs, Student Clerkships and Program Director of the Post Graduate Pharmacy Residency Program. From 2012- January 2017, she was the clinical specialist for Infectious Disease/Antimicrobial Stewardship. In February 2017, she founded Solutions for Antimicrobial Stewardship LLC which provides support to organizations seeking to implement antimicrobial stewardship programs or those wanting to improve existing stewardship programs.
Auburn University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education; credits are recognized nationwide. The Universal Activity Number for this application-based program is 0001-9999-24-040-L01-P and is intended for pharmacists.
ABN - Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy is a Board approved provider of continuing nursing education in Alabama by the Alabama Board of Nursing. Provider Number: ABNP1515.
ACCME - Huntsville Hospital designates this live activity for a maximum of 4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama through the joint providership of Huntsville Hospital and Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy. Huntsville Hospital is accredited by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama to provide accredited continuing education for physicians.
Available Credit
- 4.80 ABNAuburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy is a board-approved provider of continuing nursing education in Alabama by the Alabama Board of Nursing. Provider Number: ABNP1515
- 4.00 ACPE PharmacyAuburn University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education; credits are recognized nationwide.
- 4.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™