C. difficile "Super Bug": Not News to Physicians.Sermo is Capturing the Word on the Street among Physicians, and over the Last Three Months C. difficile Has Been a Hot Topic of Discussion CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Physician members of Sermo, the fastest growing online community created by physicians for physicians, are not surprised by a study presented on increasing problems with Clostridium difficile Clostridium difficile A common cause of bacterial colitis; it is the causative agent in 99% of pseudomembranous colitis, and 20-30% of antibiotic-associated diarrhea infections (C. difficile). Researchers from the CDC See Control Data, century date change and Back Orifice. CDC - Control Data Corporation reported Thursday that C. difficile infections are becoming more common outside of hospitals - where these infections have historically taken place. Separately, they reported that a more virulent vir·u·lent adj. 1. Extremely infectious, malignant, or poisonous. Used of a disease or toxin. 2. Capable of causing disease by breaking down protective mechanisms of the host. Used of a pathogen. 3. strain of the bug is spreading in hospitals. On Sermo, physicians have been discussing these issues for months, and are working together to determine what they can do to combat this growing threat. "The research efforts of the CDC and others are hugely importantC*but at the same time, this is a moving target. The presentation of the disease is changing along with the affected populations. Our physician members are discussing these trends in real time." said Dr. Daniel Palestrant, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. and Founder of Sermo. "Although controlled research studies will ultimately be necessary to define best practice recommendations, the design and execution of these controlled trials controlled trial Clinical research A clinical study in which one group of participants receives an experimental drug while the other receives either a placebo or an approved–'gold standard' therapy. See Blinding, Double-blinded. can be informed by the collective insights of the physicians in the Sermo community. On Sermo, physicians talk to each other and get guidance from their peers, just as they always have in formal and informal meetings in hospitals. Indeed, as healthcare in this country has become increasingly outpatient-based, physicians are increasingly disconnected from an effective network of peers. Sermo is working to change this." In the Sermo community, credentialed, licensed US-based physicians discuss issues related to their careers, share medical insights, and most importantly Adv. 1. most importantly - above and beyond all other consideration; "above all, you must be independent" above all, most especially discuss how they can improve patient care. Physicians caring for patients are the first to see new clinical issues, and Sermo brings them together to detect outbreaks like C. difficile earlier and to build consensus around what the best and most practical steps are in the short term and the long term. "Public health efforts to identify and appropriately respond to problems such as this almost always benefit from the feedback of practicing physicians, who are nearest to the problem," says Dr. L. Clifford McDonald, the epidemiologist epidemiologist an expert in epidemiology. leading the CDC's research on C. difficile. Sermo is providing physicians with a forum to pool their ideas and observations, and in the case of C. difficile, physicians on Sermo have been discussing the problem and possible solutions for months. Insights from the Sermo Community on C. difficile Sermo community physicians are corroborating the CDC's report and discussing how they should respond. Examples of some of the topics of discussion include: * Possible changes in the virulence Virulence The ability of a microorganism to cause disease. Virulence and pathogenicity are often used interchangeably, but virulence may also be used to indicate the degree of pathogenicity. of C. difficile that are leading to septicemia septicemia (sĕptĭsē`mēə), invasion of the bloodstream by virulent bacteria that multiply and discharge their toxic products. The disorder, which is serious and sometimes fatal, is commonly known as blood poisoning. . * What are the best antibiotics to use and under what conditions should physicians prescribe pre·scribe v. To give directions, either orally or in writing, for the preparation and administration of a remedy to be used in the treatment of a disease. them? * Debate on when and under what circumstances MDs should be using non-conventional antibiotics to treat C. difficile infections. * Should PPIs such as Prilosec be available by prescription only? With new knowledge that PPIs might be contributing to the changes in C. difficile infections, physicians are discussing the pros and cons pros and cons Noun, pl the advantages and disadvantages of a situation [Latin pro for + con(tra) against] of having PPIs available over the counter. * Are C difficile infections increasing in health care workers? * Are existing tests for C difficile accurate? * Is the prevalence of new hand sanitizers contributing to increases in C difficile transmission? About Sermo Launched September 2006, Sermo is already the fastest growing online community, created by physicians for physicians. Its Web-based platform provides a medium for physicians to aggregate observations from daily practice then Co rapidly and in large numbers Co challenge or corroborate To support or enhance the believability of a fact or assertion by the presentation of additional information that confirms the truthfulness of the item. The testimony of a witness is corroborated if subsequent evidence, such as a coroner's report or the testimony of other each other's opinions, accelerating the discovery of emerging trends and new insights on medications, devices, and treatments. Through Sermo, physicians exchange knowledge with each other the minute it is learned, and gain insights from colleagues as they happen instead of waiting to read about them in conventional media sources. Sermo harnesses the power of collective wisdom and enables physicians to discuss new clinical findings, report unusual events, and work together to dramatically impact patient care. For more information visit www.sermo.com. |
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