Approximately 10% of all U.S. patients report having an allergic reaction to a penicillin class antibiotic in their past. 10% of the population reports a penicillin allergy but 1% of the whole population is truly allergic. People with a penicillin allergy on their medical record are not given penicillin, and may not be given any beta-lactam antibiotics because of concern that the allergy is shared across the antibiotic class. Instead, the antibiotics prescribed may be broader-spectrum. Broad-spectrum antibiotics may be as effective, but they often have more side effects and toxicities, such as increased risk of developing infections like C. diff (Clostridioides difficile, formerly called Clostridium difficile) or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Our guests Christopher M. Bland, Pharm.D., FCCP, FIDSA, BCPS, Clinical Professor, University of Georgia College of Pharmacy and

Bruce M. Jones, Pharm.D., BCPS, Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor for the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy will join us to discuss antibiotics, the different types, diagnostics, diagnosis, and the Impact of Penicillin Allergy on a C. difficile Infection.

Join Nancy C. Caralla and Kevin Hersh as we discuss the chapters and passion behind the newly published book, Managing a C. difficile Infection: For Patients, Families, and Caregivers.

Niranjan Tex Kissoon , MD Mark Ansermino, MD and Matthew Wiens, MD

join us to discuss the multi-levels of Sepsis,. and educate us on the What, How, and Global Burden of Sepsis.

The Global Burden of Disease Sepsis Report published in January 2020 estimated that 49 million patients suffer sepsis every year, with 11 million of those dying. This burden is significantly higher than the number of lives lost to cancer or coronary disease. Sepsis can affect anyone as a consequence of infection, but globally young children suffer most.

sepsis remains one of the most common and least-recognized illnesses in both the developed and developing world. Sepsis arises when the body’s response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. It may lead to shock, multiple organ failure, disability and death, especially if not recognized early and treated promptly.

September has been designated Sepsis Awareness Month and September 13th is Sepsis Awareness Day.

For more information please visit: https://www.global-sepsis-alliance.org and https://www.sepsis.org

Wendy Benson is partner and COO at 2x2 Health: Private Health Concierge, culminating from her extensive experience as a leading healthcare executive and occupational therapist. She is also co-author of the international best-selling book, The Confident Patient.

Wendy joins us to discuss the necessity of becoming a strong health advocate and ways to manage care through unprecedented times.

Join Doctors Caterina Oneto, and Paul Feuerstadt, as they discuss

the Management of C. difficile Infections. The new guidelines released by

IDSA and SHEA this June along with the new treatments on the horizon will also be a

topic of conversation.

Join Our Guests: Linda Davis, RN, Charlotte Johnson, & Renata Johnson

as they discuss key points on caregiving, a journey of caring for a loved one

with a C. diff. infection, and comparing caregiving as a profession to caring

for a family member at home.

Join our guests: Neil Clark, Chief Executive Officer, Destiny Pharma PLC and

Dale Gerding, MD, FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA with

our Guest Host: Kevin Hersh.

The robust discussion will touch upon important topics focused on the what, why, and how to Prevent CDI: Boost Immunity, Restore Microbiome, Replace the Bug.

Our two guests will exchange a dialogue about the science to answer the many questions about a

C. difficile infection, prevention, treatments, what is recurrent C. diff., and the immune system, and how the microbiome plays a part in everything. Tune in and expand you basic knowledge with our guests; Mr. Neil Clark and

Doctor Dale Gerding.

Join us with our guest, Professor Simon Cutting, Ph. D., as we discuss

the genetic control of spore formation in Bacillus subtilis, and the research behind the scenes defining Clostridioides difficile in health and environment.

Our guests from Seres Therapeutics shared the latest news

on SER-109 and positive topline results from the pivotal Phase 3 ECOSPOR III study evaluating its investigational oral microbiome therapeutic SER-109 for recurrent C. difficile infection (CDI). The study results were equally compelling when characterized by the alternative metric of sustained clinical response, where 88.9% of patients in the SER-109 arm achieved this objective. The study’s efficacy results exceeded the statistical threshold previously provided in consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that could allow this single clinical study to fulfill efficacy requirements for a Biologics License Application (BLA). The SER-109 safety results were favorable, with an adverse event profile comparable to a placebo. Listen in and learn more from the leading topic experts.

Join our guests, Missy Travis, RN, and Priya Balachandran, Ph. D. COO Applied Silver,

as they discuss the role of cleaning and disinfection to prevent surface contamination leading to the transmission of infections, There are also new concerns about CDI given the current state of COVID-19 and our guests will discuss this topic in great detail.

What are your thoughts about linens and pathogens? Missy Travis, RN, and

Dr. Balachandran will be sharing innovative solutions that maintain infection prevention in an array of settings.