Category Archives: C. diff. Radio

Dr. Nicholas Kartsonis Discusses Merck’s History In Infectious Disease and Their Ongoing Research Plus Some Of The Company’s Current Treatments, Including Dificid, To Address C. diff. Infections (CDI)

What’s new in the C Diff Foundation?

Let us introduce you to the first internet radio talk show dedicated to C. diff. and more……

“C. diff. Spores and More”

 

UPCOMING SHOW: TODAY ~ Tuesday, May 26th:

Dr. Nicholas Kartsonis; Merck Research Laboratories (MRL)

Join us today, Tuesday, May 26th, as our guest Dr. Nicholas Kartsonis , Associate Vice President of Clinical Research for Infectious Diseases for Merck Research Laboratories (MRL) and Section Head within MRL for antibiotics, antibacterials and cytomegalovirus shares his time and discusses the past, present, and future contributions of Merck Research Laboratories.

Dr. Kartsonis joined Merck Research Laboratories in February 2000 and has been actively involved in programs for new antibacterials, antifungals, anti-HIV, anti-CMV, and agents targeted against C. difficile infection. Most recently, he has led the efforts to ensure the integration of the Cubist Pharmaceuticals clinical research portfolio within Merck.

Dr. Kartsonis will provide an overview of Merck’s current efforts to address the worldwide public health crisis posed by antimicrobial resistance, as well as the company’s history in infectious disease and antimicrobial stewardship. In addition, he will talk about the company’s current treatment for C. difficile and ongoing research efforts to address C. difficile infections (CDI).

http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2441/c-diff-spores-and-more

 

We invite you to join us in listening to this exciting, new internet talk show that broadcasts live every Tuesday at the following times:

Click Image Above to Listen to Archived Shows

 


PT 11a, MT 12p, CT 1p, ET 2 p

We are pleased to share “C. diff. Spores and More” with you because, as advocates of C. diff., we know how important this cutting-edge new weekly radio show means for our Foundation’s community worldwide.

Hard Facts: Deaths and illnesses are much higher than reports have shown. Nearly half a million Americans suffered from Clostridium difficile (C. diff.) infections in a single year according to a study released today, February 25, 2015, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• More than 100,000 of these infections developed among residents of U.S. nursing homes.

Approximately 29,000 patients died within 30 days of the initial diagnosis of a C. diff. infection. Of these 29,000 – 15,000 deaths were estimated to be directly related to a
C. diff. infection. Therefore; C. diff. is an important cause of infectious disease death in the U.S.
Previous studies indicate that C. diff. has become the most common microbial cause of Healthcare-Associated Infections found in U.S. hospitals driving up costs to $4.8 billion each year in excess health care costs in acute care facilities alone. Approximately
two-thirds of C. diff. infections were found to be associated with an inpatient stay in a health care facility, only 24% of the total cases occurred in patients while they were hospitalized. The study also revealed that almost as many cases occurred in nursing homes as in hospitals and the remainder of individuals acquired the
Healthcare-Associated infection, C. diff., recently discharged from a health care facility.

This new study finds that 1 out of every 5 patients with the Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI), C. diff., experience a recurrence of the infection and 1 out of every 9 patients over the age of 65 diagnosed with a HAI – C. diff. infection died within 30 days of being diagnosed. Older Americans are quite vulnerable to this life-threatening diarrhea infection. The CDC study also found that women and Caucasian individuals are at an increased risk of acquiring a C. diff. infection. The CDC Director, Dr. Tom Frieden, MD, MPH said, “C. difficile infections cause immense suffering and death for thousands of Americans each year.” “These infections can be prevented by improving antibiotic prescribing and by improving infection control in the health care system. CDC hopes to ramp up prevention of this deadly infection by supporting State Antibiotic Resistance Prevention Programs in all 50 states.”

“This does not include the number of C. diff. infections taking place and being treated in other countries.” “The CDF supports hundreds of communities by sharing the CDF mission and raising C. diff. awareness to healthcare professionals, individuals, patients, families, and communities working towards a shared goal ~ witnessing a reduction of newly diagnosed C. diff. cases by 2020 .” ” The CDF Volunteers are greatly appreciated as they create positive changes sharing their time so generously worldwide aiding in the success of our mission and raising C. diff. awareness.”

“C. diff. Spores and More” spotlights world renown topic experts, research scientists, healthcare professionals, organization representatives, C. diff. survivors, board members, and their volunteers who are all creating positive changes in the C. diff. community and more.

Through their interviews, the CDF mission will connect, educate, and empower many worldwide.

 

Questions received through the show page portal will be reviewed and addressed by the show’s Medical Correspondent, Dr. Fred Zar, MD, FACP, Dr. Fred Zar is a Professor of Clinical Medicine, Vice HeZarPhotoWebsiteTop (2)ad for Education in the Department of Medicine, and Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Over the last two decades he has been a pioneer in the study of the treatment of Clostridium difficile disease and the need to stratify patients by disease severity.

 

Please join us Tuesdays in listening to the educational episodes of “C. diff. Spores and More”

View the programs and radio information and access previous episodes available as a podcast by clicking on the link below:

www.voiceamerica.com/show/2441/c-diff-spores-and-more

 

Take our show on the go…………..download a mobile app today

http://www.voiceamerica.com/company/mobileapps

C. diff. Survivors Share Their Journey Through a C. diff. Infection (CDI) On C diff Spores and More, C diff Radio

cdiffRadioLogoMarch2015

What’s new in the C Diff Foundation?

Let us introduce you to the first internet radio talk show dedicated to C. diff. and more……

“C. diff. Spores and More”

 

UPCOMING SHOW: Tuesday, May 12th:

C diff survivors share their unique journey through a C diff infection and how it changed their lives forever

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report published in
February 2015, almost 500,000 C.diff. infections occurred in the U.S. in 2011, with 83,000 recurrences.

Join our guests - all C. diff. survivor’s - who have been touched by this horrific
and life changing infection.

Heather Clark, Veronica Edmond, Renetta Dudzinski, and Lisa Hurka Covington bravely share their unique journey through a C. diff. infection that forever changed their lives.

http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2441/c-diff-spores-and-more

 

…… we strongly recommend having a box of tissues nearby ………..

 

Listen in live at: 11a Pacific, 12p Mountain, 1p Central, 2p Eastern time

We are so excited to share “C. diff. Spores and More” with you because, as advocates of C. diff., we are very excited about what this cutting-edge new weekly radio show means for our Foundation’s community worldwide.

Fact: Deaths and illnesses are much higher than reports have shown. Nearly half a million Americans suffered from Clostridium difficile (C. diff.) infections in a single year according to a study released today, February 25, 2015, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• More than 100,000 of these infections developed among residents of U.S. nursing homes.

Approximately 29,000 patients died within 30 days of the initial diagnosis of a C. diff. infection. Of these 29,000 – 15,000 deaths were estimated to be directly related to a
C. diff. infection. Therefore; C. diff. is an important cause of infectious disease death in the U.S.
Previous studies indicate that C. diff. has become the most common microbial cause of Healthcare-Associated Infections found in U.S. hospitals driving up costs to $4.8 billion each year in excess health care costs in acute care facilities alone. Approximately
two-thirds of C. diff. infections were found to be associated with an inpatient stay in a health care facility, only 24% of the total cases occurred in patients while they were hospitalized. The study also revealed that almost as many cases occurred in nursing homes as in hospitals and the remainder of individuals acquired the Healthcare-Associated infection, C. diff., recently discharged from a health care facility.

This new study finds that 1 out of every 5 patients with the Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI), C. diff., experience a recurrence of the infection

Older Americans are quite vulnerable to this life-threatening diarrhea infection. The CDC study also found that women and Caucasian individuals are at an increased risk of acquiring a C. diff. infection. The CDC Director, Dr. Tom Frieden, MD, MPH said, “C. difficile infections cause immense suffering and death for thousands of Americans each year.” “These infections can be prevented by improving antibiotic prescribing and by improving infection control in the health care system. CDC hopes to ramp up prevention of this deadly infection by supporting State Antibiotic Resistance Prevention Programs in all 50 states.”

“This does not include the number of C. diff. infections taking place and being treated in other countries.” “The CDF supports hundreds of communities by sharing the CDF mission and raising C. diff. awareness to healthcare professionals, individuals, patients, families, and communities working towards a shared goal ~ witnessing a reduction of newly diagnosed C. diff. cases by 2020 .” ” The CDF Volunteers are greatly appreciated as they create positive changes sharing their time so generously worldwide aiding in the success of our mission and raising C. diff. awareness.”

“C. diff. Spores and More” spotlights world renown topic experts, research scientists, healthcare professionals, organization representatives, C. diff. survivors, board members, and their volunteers who are all creating positive changes in the C. diff. community and more.

Through these interviews, the CDF mission will connect, educate, and empower many in over 180 countries.

Questions received through the show page portal will be reviewed and addressed by the show’s Medical Correspondent, Dr. Fred Zar, MD, FACP, Dr. Fred Zar is a Professor of Clinical Medicine, Vice HeZarPhotoWebsiteTop (2)ad for Education in the Department of Medicine, and Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Over the last two decades he has been a pioneer in the study of the treatment of Clostridium difficile disease and the need to stratify patients by disease severity.

 

Please join us Tuesdays in listening to the educational episodes of “C. diff. Spores and More”

View the programs and radio information and access previous episodes available as a podcast by clicking on the link below:

www.voiceamerica.com/show/2441/c-diff-spores-and-more

 

Take our show on the go…………..download a mobile app today

http://www.voiceamerica.com/company/mobileapps

healthwellnesshealth (2)

Two leading CDC Physicians discuss current issues focused on C. difficile infections (CDI) and Antibiotic usage, Tuesday, May 5th on C. diff. Spores and More, C diff Radio

cdiffRadioLogoMarch2015

“C. diff. Spores and More”

UPCOMING SHOW: Tuesday, May 5th:

Two leading CDC Physicians discuss current issues focused on C. diff.Infections and Antibiotic usage.

 

Join us as we learn from our guests;

Dr. Clifford McDonald, MD, Senior Advisor for Science and Integrity, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at the CDC with main interests in epidemiology and prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections, especially Clostridium difficile infections, and the prevention of antimicrobial resistance,

AND
Dr. Arjun Srinivasan, MD, Associate Director for Healthcare-Associated Infection prevention programs in the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Disease. Listen in as these two stellar Physicians discuss the topics of Clostridium difficile infections and Antibiotic usage, two important issues with potential solutions facing the citizens on a global level.

Guest Bio’s:

Dr. Clifford McDonald, MD, graduated from Northwestern University Medical School, completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Michigan State University and an Infectious Diseases Fellowship at the University of South Alabama, following which he completed a fellowship in Medical Microbiology at Duke University. Past positions have included Associate Investigator at the National Health Research Institutes in Taiwan and Assistant Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Louisville. Dr. McDonald is a former Epidemic Intelligence Service officer and former Chief of the Prevention and Response Branch in the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where he currently serves as the Senior Advisor for Science and Integrity. He is the author or co-author of over 100 peer-reviewed publications with his main interests in the epidemiology and prevention of healthcare-associated infections, especially Clostridium difficile infections, and the prevention of antimicrobial resistance.

Dr. Arjun Srinivasan, MD, is Associate Director for healthcare-associated infection prevention programs in the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. Dr. Srinivasan is also a captain in the US Public Health Service. An infectious disease doctor, Dr. Srinivasan oversees several CDC programs aimed at eliminating healthcare-associated infections and improving antibiotic use. For much of his CDC career, Dr. Srinivasan ran the healthcare outbreak investigation unit, helping hospitals and other healthcare facilities track down bacteria and stop them from infecting other patients. Today, Dr. Srinivasan leads CDC’s work to improve antibiotic prescribing and works with a team of CDC experts researching new strategies to eliminate healthcare-associated infections.

 

http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2441/c-diff-spores-and-more

 

What you need to know about C. diff. and High Touch Surfaces discussed on C. diff. Spores and More on April 28th with Bradley Whitchurch CEO Seal Shield, Dr. Rosie Lyles, MD Clorox Healthcare, and Shelby Lassiter, BSN,RN,CPHO,CIC Infection Preventionist

cdiffRadioLogoMarch2015What you need to know about C. diff. and high touch surfaces

Join us on Tuesday, April 28th at 11:00 a.m. Pacific
time - 2 p.m. Eastern Time with our three guests…………

 

 

 

http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2441/c-diff-spores-and-more

 

Bradley Whitchurch, Founder and Chairman of the Board at Seal Shield, LLC,
Dr. Rosie D. Lyles, MD, Clinical Affairs Head, Research and Department, Clorox Healthcare and Shelby Lassiter, BSN, RN, CPHO, CIC, Infection Preventionist at a University Hospital in North Carolina,.

Listen in as these three professionals come together to discuss C. diff. infections,
healthcare-associated infections, and you will want to learn why hand hygiene alone is not enough. Plus discussions about infection prevention measures being utilized in healthcare and home settings to keep everyone safe.

Guest Bio’s:

Bradley Whitchurch
Brad is the Founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board at Seal Shield LLC. Seal Shield is an infection control solutions manufacturer headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. The Company produces waterproof, antimicrobial input devices for healthcare and other global markets. Seal Shield’s primary products include washable, antimicrobial keyboards, mice and TV remote controls. Mr. Whitchurch has been a pioneer in the computer products industry for 25 years.

Dr Rosie Lyles MD
Dr. Lyles is Currently the Clinical Affairs Head, Research and Department, Clorox Healthcare and serves as the primary liaison for Client’s Healthcare division as a department head to relevant professional, research and academic institutions, public health agencies, and forums. The role will provide strategic guidance and assist with the development and implementation of a plan for clinical/scientific support of marketing initiatives. This includes overall responsibility for public health message development, publication planning, key opinion leader development and provides relevant input into the clinical and product intervention design and development.

Shelby Lassiter, BSN,RN,CPHQ,CIC
Shelby holds an Associate Degree in Nursing from Wake Technical College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from East Carolina University. She is certified in Infection Control (CIC) and is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) through the National Association of Healthcare Quality (NAHQ). She has over thirty-five years of experience in healthcare: medical/surgical nursing, critical care, healthcare quality and infection prevention. Shelby has held a variety of positions in Infection Prevention and is currently an Infection Preventionist at a University Hospital located in North Carolina.

UV Room Disinfection: Scientific Evidence in Eliminating Healthcare-Associated Infections Worldwide

CdiffRadioPostC. diff. Spores and More #CdiffRadio

Tuesday, April 21st: UV Room Disinfection: Scientific Evidence in Eliminating Healthcare Associated Infections Worldwide

Listen in at 11:00 a.m. Pacific , 2 pm Eastern time

http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/84813/uv-room-disinfection-scientific-evidence-in-eliminating-healthcare-associated-infections-worldwide

Guests: Dr. Mark Stibich, PhD, is Chief Scientific Officer & Co-founder, Xenex. and
Ms. Sarah Simmons, MPH CIC, is Science Director, Xenex

Dr. Stibich and Ms. Simmons will discuss UV Room Disinfection, how pulsed UV disinfection works, the pulsed Xenon UV (PX-UV) difference, and the effectiveness against endospores like
C. diff. and bacillus strains and the scientific evidence in eliminating
Healthcare-Associated Infections worldwide.

Dr. Mark Stibich, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer & Co-founder, Xenex
Dr. Stibich is a founder of Xenex and, as its Chief Scientific Officer, he oversees scientific research, product development, facility assessments, and protocol design. He leads new technology development and is an inventor on multiple patents. Dr. Stibich meets frequently with infection prevention representatives at healthcare facilities, helping them understand and solve their infection control challenges while analyzing hospital results. Dr. Stibich holds a doctoral degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, a Masters in Health Science, also from Johns Hopkins, and a bachelor’s degree from Yale University. He has conducted research in Russia, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, South Africa, Kenya, the United States and Brazil.

Ms. Sarah Simmons, Science Director, Xenex
As an epidemiologist, Sarah Simmons works with customers to implement Xenex’s pulsed xenon UV light room disinfection technology in their facility, provide support for customers’ Infection Prevention departments, and evaluate their infection reduction results for publication in scientific journals. Sarah worked as an Infection Preventionist for five years in San Antonio, with a focus on infection prevention in critical care. She is a member of the San Antonio APIC chapter and has served on the board in numerous roles. Sarah is a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Texas School of Public Health, has a Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the Texas A&M School of Rural Public Health, and a Bachelors degree in Biology from Texas A&M University.

 

Lee Jones, Rebiotix and Glenn Taylor, Taymount Clinic Discuss Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) AKA Microbiota Restoration Therapy, Research to Clinical, on C diff Radio

cdiffRadioLogoMarch2015Join us on Tuesday, April 7th at 11:00 a.m. Pacific / 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time

As guests, Ms. Lee Jones, CEO Rebiotix, Inc. and Glenn Taylor, Microbiologist at Taymount Clinic discuss

Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) AKA Microbiota Restoration Therapy, Research to Clinical

 

 

Ms. Lee Jones, Founder, President and CEO of Rebiotix Inc, has over thirty years of experience in the medical technology industry in large and small companies and academia. Rebiotix is developing a new category of biologic drugs that use live human-derived organisms to treat disease. Lead candidate RBX2660 (microbiota suspension) is currently undergoing clinical study for recurrent C. diff. infection.

Mr. Glenn Taylor is the Microbiologist at the Taymount Clinic just outside London in the UK. He has spent five years researching the commensal colonization of bacteria in the human digestive system. Listen in as both guests discuss the Fecal or Faecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT),also known as Microbiota Restoration Therapy to treat recurrent C. diff. infections and more - Research to Clinical.

Each “C. diff. Spores and More” episode becomes a pod-cast and can be easily accessed through our website:

http://cdifffoundation.org/c-diff-radio/

“C. diff. Spores and More” spotlights world renown topic experts, research scientists, healthcare professionals, organization representatives, C. diff. survivors, board members, and their volunteers who are all creating positive changes in the C. diff. community and more.

Through their interviews, the CDF mission will connect, educate, and empower many in over 180 countries.

Questions received through the show page portal will be reviewed and addressed by the show’s Medical Correspondent, Dr. Fred Zar, MD, FACP, Dr. Fred Zar is a Professor of Clinical Medicine, Vice HeZarPhotoWebsiteTop (2)ad for Education in the Department of Medicine, and Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Over the last two decades he has been a pioneer in the study of the treatment of Clostridium difficile disease and the need to stratify patients by disease severity.

 

Please join us Tuesdays in listening to the educational episodes of “C. diff. Spores and More”

Take our show on the go…………..download a mobile app today

http://www.voiceamerica.com/company/mobileapps

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synthetic Biologics Discuss Preventing C. diff. Infection with SYN-004 on “C diff Spores and More,” C. diff. Radio

cdiffRadioLogoMarch2015

 

Join us on Tuesday, March 31st at 11:00 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Central, 2 p.m. Eastern Time for the live broadcast - Synthetic Biologics: Preventing C. diff. Infection with SYN-004

 

 

 

Synthetic Biologic, Inc.’s Lewis Barrett, BS, MBA, Senior Vice President, Commercial Strategy and Dr. Joseph A. Sliman, MD, MPH, Senior Vice President, Clinical & Regulatory Affairs will discuss the novel point-of-care preventive approach, the clinical development pathway and the potential of the Company’s lead pathogen-specific product candidate, SYN-004.

 

For direct access to the “C. diff. Spores and More Program” please click on the link below:

http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/84381/synthetic-biologics-preventing-c-diff-infection-with-syn-004

 

The majority of C. difficile cases are caused by the unintended consequences of antibiotic therapy to the gut microbiome. Intravenous (IV) antibiotics excreted to the gut often wipe out the natural balance of microflora, which can lead to recurring diarrhea and perforation of the intestinal wall, with potentially fatal outcomes. Co-administered with IV
antibiotics, Synthetic Biologics’ product candidate, SYN-004, is designed to be a preventive therapy intended to protect the gut microbiome by degrading IV antibiotics, thereby preventing the onset of a C. difficile infection.
Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (NYSE MKT:SYN)

http://www.syntheticbiologics.com