JCR Releases Free MDRO Toolkit to Combat Antibiotic
Resistance
The Toolkit will be Featured at the Annual Infection Control Conference
(OAK BROOK, Ill. – June 12, 2009) The spread of multi drug-resistant organisms in health care carries vast clinical, economic and patient safety consequences. Today, Joint Commission Resources (JCR) is providing guidance to health care organizations with a free toolkit, “What Every Health Care Executive Should Know: The Cost of Antibiotic Resistance.” JCR is a not-for-profit affiliate of The Joint Commission.
The toolkit, produced by JCR and funded in part by Ortho-McNeil, a division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., will be featured in a session to be presented at the JCR and Joint Commission “2009 Annual Infection Control Conference: Mastering Powerful and Practical Infection Prevention Strategies,” August 21-22, in Arlington Va., by Barbara M. Soule, R.N., M.P.A., C.I.C., practice leader, Infection Prevention and Control Services, JCR. Soule will discuss how C-suite executives can implement a comprehensive program to reduce antibiotic resistance. The program is for heath care organizations of all sizes and would also be beneficial for epidemiologists and infection control preventionists working on similar programs within a health care organization. The toolkit is now available at http://www.jcrinc.com/MDRO-Toolkit/ . Hard copies of the toolkit will be distributed at the Infection Control Conference.
“Organization leaders are eager to learn new ways to curb infections in their facilities to promote patient safety and reduce associated costs,” says Soule. “Often, these leaders face challenges. We will demonstrate at the seminar how to gain buy-in and support from the board and staff in implementing a comprehensive program.”
The Infection Control Conference, to be held at the Marriott Crystal Gateway, will unveil the newest technologies and processes for controlling and preventing infection. In addition to the MDRO toolkit, attendees will receive a CD-ROM with solutions from each presenter for creating and sustaining infection control practices and improved outcomes in a health care organization.
In addition to presenting the toolkit, Soule will moderate a discussion on “Navigating the Infection Prevention and Control Landscape.” Distinguished panelists joining the discussion are:
• P.J. Brennan, M.D., chair, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Health Care Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee;
• Thomas Valuck, M.D., J.D., medical officer and senior adviser, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Center for Medicare Management;
• Don Wright, M.D., M.P.H., principal deputy assistant secretary of health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services;
• Rosemary K. Sokas, M.D., M.O.H., F.A.C.O.E.M., director, Office of Occupational Medicine, Occupational Safety and Health Administration; and
• Margaret VanAmringe, vice president, Public Policy and Government Relations, The Joint Commission.
The “Annual Infection Control Conference Pre-Conference: The Joint Commission 2010 Infection Prevention and Control Standards,” August 20, held at the same location, will focus on evaluating an organization’s existing infection control program, and developing and implementing a new or updated program based on the revised 2010 Joint Commission Infection Prevention and Control standards and expanded National Patient Safety Goals. Soule, and Louise Kuhny, R.N., M.P.H., M.B.A., C.I.C., senior associate director, Standards Interpretation, The Joint Commission, are presenters at this event. The pre-conference is recommended for those new to infection prevention and control or those wanting to improve their existing program according to the revised 2010 Joint Commission standards.
The conference is $749 per person or $695 for registration prior to July 21. The pre-conference is $495 per person or $395 for registration prior to July 20. To register, call JCR Customer Service at 1.877.223.6866. When registering for the main conference use code 09064, and for the pre-conference use code 09063. Additional details and an agenda for the main conference are available online at http://www.jcrinc.com/Conferences-and-Seminars/Annual-Infection-Control-Conference/1516/ and for the preconference at http://www.jcrinc.com/Conferences-and-Seminars/Infection-Control-Conference-Pre-Conference/1515/.