Strategies for Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance: Hospital, Community, and National Perspectives

Antimicrobial resistance is a ubiquitous problem that affects all facets of society. As knowledge of the problem expands, it is imperative that we discuss practical, effective solutions and work toward their successful implementation. This symposium, co-hosted by the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) and the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (CIRAR) at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC), will serve as an interdisciplinary venue to discuss potential strategies and solutions for reducing antimicrobial resistance.

Agenda

Strategies for Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance in the Hospital Setting
Sara E. Cosgrove, MD, MS, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, as well as Director of the Antibiotic Management Program and an Associate Hospital Epidemiologist at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Cosgrove's research interests include the epidemiology of and outcomes associated with antimicrobial resistance, the development of tools and programs to promote the rational use of antimicrobials, and the prevention of hospital-acquired infections.

Improving Antibiotic Use in Diverse Communities: Communication Strategies that Make a Difference
Kitty Corbett, PhD, is a medical anthropologist, Director of Undergraduate Programs, and Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences of Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. She has conducted research and interventions about appropriate community-based antibiotic use in the United States, Mexico, Mongolia, and Canada as well as with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's national "Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work" campaign. For the Minimizing Antibiotic Resistance in Colorado (MARC) project, she directed the media design and implementation of a health communication campaign that was successful in reducing inappropriate prescriptions for acute respiratory infections. Dr. Corbett will be speaking about community strategies to reduce antimicrobial resistance.

What Can a Professional Society Do? IDSA Efforts to Curb Antimicrobial Resistance
Martin J. Blaser, MD, is Immediate Past President of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and a member of the IDSA Executive Committee. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. A physician and microbiologist, he is the Frederick H. King Professor and Chair in the Department of Medicine and Professor of Microbiology at New York University School of Medicine.