Program takes aim at drug-resistant bugs
CDC launches major initiative to aid detection
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to distribute some 10,000 copies of a new training tool designed to assist laboratorians in selecting and using appropriate testing methods to detect antimicrobial-resistant strains of bacteria. The new tool, an interactive CD-ROM-based training course, provides the most extensive compilation of information on antimicrobial-resistance testing available to date.
"Antimicrobial susceptibility testing has become more complex in recent years as new drugs have become available and resistance has emerged," says Steve Solomon, MD, acting director of CDC’s healthcare quality promotion program. "This CD-ROM will help microbiologists on the front lines to better detect this emerging problem, which significantly impacts public health across the United States," he adds.
The CDC estimates that more than 70% of the bacteria that cause hospital-acquired infections are resistant to at least one of the drugs most commonly used to treat those infections.
"Accurate antimicrobial susceptibility test results not only help physicians choose the best therapy for their patients, but guide infection control efforts to the most serious infections," says Fred Tenover, PHD, a CDC expert on antimicrobial susceptibility testing and one of three co-authors of the CD-ROM.
Upon completion of the course, scientists can receive up to eight hours of continuing education units (CEUs), marking the first time the agency has offered CEU credits for programs designed to help in identifying antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.
The target audience for this course includes microbiology laboratory directors, supervisors, and medical technologists who perform or interpret the results of antimicrobial susceptibility tests in clinical or public health laboratories. Others who are likely to benefit from this program include physicians, pharmacists, and medical students.
This training tool complements other CDC resources for microbiologists including CDC’s multilevel antimicrobial susceptibility testing educational resources (MASTER) web site and a series of national training programs. This web site is intended to keep microbiologists informed of antimicrobial susceptibility testing issues related to clinical microbiology laboratory practice. Go to: www.phppo.cdc.gov/dls/master/default.asp.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to distribute some 10,000 copies of a new training tool designed to assist laboratorians in selecting and using appropriate testing methods to detect antimicrobial-resistant strains of bacteria. The new tool, an interactive CD-ROM-based training course, provides the most extensive compilation of information on antimicrobial-resistance testing available to date.
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