C. diff. Spores and More

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sounds the alarm on the danger of modern medicine returning to a time when simple infections were often fatal. As the latest Vital Signs Report shows, much progress has been made in our hospitals and healthcare facilities to protect patients from

healthcare-associated infections. But, more work needs to be done, because many of these infections are caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria which are difficult, if not impossible to treat. The CDC believes clinicians are key to national progress in preventing infections. They have the power to change the direction of antibiotic resistance each and every time they care for their patients. It requires taking the appropriate steps every time. We are in a race to slow resistance, and we can’t afford to let the “superbugs” outpace us, especially in healthcare settings.

In a recent study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, new data was released showing that at least 30 percent of all prescriptions written in doctors’ offices and emergency rooms are completely unnecessary. So how do we use these alarming results to transform the culture of overprescribing?

Dr. Katherine Fleming-Dutra, M.D., will:

Give a detailed explanation of the study results, and provide an in-depth review of specific findings;

Highlight what CDC is doing to promote antibiotic stewardship across healthcare settings, and

Identify what clinicians, other health care professionals, and patients can do to improve antibiotic prescribing, therefore fighting antibiotic resistance.

Join us with our guest Barbara McGovern, MD.

Since 2012 Dr. McGovern has been working within the pharmaceutical arena and currently is head of Medical Affairs at Seres Therapeutics, which is developing microbiome-based therapies. Their lead microbiome therapeutic drug is SER-109, which is being evaluated in a phase 3 clinical trial for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. We will be discussing the role of the Microbiome in reducing the risk of C. diff. infection recurrence.

Join Us With Guest Dr. Richard Vickers, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Summit Therapeutics joining us to discuss their research on a new antibiotic to treat a C. difficile infection. Learn more about Ridinilazole, clinical trials and the progress being made and moving closer to getting an urgently needed new treatment available for CDI to patients.

Join us with our guest Barbara McGovern, MD.

Since 2012 Dr. McGovern has been working within the pharmaceutical arena and currently is head of Medical Affairs at Seres Therapeutics, which is developing microbiome-based therapies. Their lead microbiome therapeutic drug is SER-109, which is being evaluated in a phase 3 clinical trial for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. We will be discussing the role of the Microbiome in reducing the risk of C. diff. infection recurrence.

What impact does the quality of the air in a room have on airborne and surface bacteria?” Join us with our guest Dr. Linda D. Lee, DrPH, MBA, Ph.D.as we discuss contaminated air and how it can impact patients and the outcome during care.

Richard Haupt, MD, Vice President, Medical Development Scientific & Clinical Affairs, at Pfizer where he serves as the global franchise lead for pipeline vaccines and Kathrin U. Jansen, PhD, Senior Vice President and head of Vaccine Research and Development at Pfizer Inc and Chris Webber, MD, Senior Director, Vaccines Clinical Research and Development. Dr. Webber is clinical program lead of the recently acquired meningococcal ACWY program from GSK, and is the clinical program lead for Pfizer’s Clostridium difficile vaccine. Our discussion will be focused on C. difficile Prevention: Evaluating the Role of Vaccines.

Richard Haupt, MD, Vice President, Medical Development Scientific & Clinical Affairs, at Pfizer where he serves as the global franchise lead for pipeline vaccines and Kathrin U. Jansen, PhD, Senior Vice President and head of Vaccine Research and Development at Pfizer Inc and Chris Webber, MD, Senior Director, Vaccines Clinical Research and Development. Dr. Webber is clinical program lead of the recently acquired meningococcal ACWY program from GSK, and is the clinical program lead for Pfizer’s Clostridium difficile vaccine. Our discussion will be focused on C. difficile Prevention: Evaluating the Role of Vaccines.

In this episode Tex Kissoon, MD,a well-known doctor from Canada, will provide us with the insight into the global phenomenon of Sepsis. Sepsis affects more than 30 million lives per year yet it is almost unknown to the general public and is quite often misdiagnosed by medical professionals worldwide. The reasons of why that is with the why Sepsis is so deadly, and what you can do to increase Sepsis awareness-- will be discussed in the next 60 minutes. Dr. Kissoon is joined by Ray Schachter, a Sepsis survivor who has dedicated all of his available time to combating and raising awareness of Sepsis worldwide. Both are members of the Global Sepsis Alliance, which has established World Sepsis Day on September 13th every year to raise awareness for Sepsis worldwide.

Josh Haas,Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach joins us to discuss how to ward off poor nutrition during a C. difficile infection and many other wellness-draining illnesses. Josh will share the importance of hydration and maintaining proper nutrition when diagnosed with a CDI and more.