

This activity, Fungal Frontiers: Expert Decision Making in Medical Mycology, is designed to evaluate different approaches to managing clinical scenarios at the frontiers of invasive fungal infections. A series of cases will offer the opportunity to explore the levels of evidence behind different strategies, contrasting expert decision making with that of the broader audience, and evaluating the emerging research for each clinical “frontier.” Specific content on Candida auris infection, antifungal prophylaxis in an HSCT patient, and management of refractory molds will be provided.
Release Date: 6/15/2018
Expiration Date: 6/14/2019
Estimated Time to Complete the Activity: 2.0 hrs
Media: Interactive, text-based activity
Paradigms in the management of invasive fungal disease (IFD) are shifting. Pivotal data for newer diagnostics and therapeutics/formulations have been released recently, the literature continues to expand, and newer therapeutics are in development. Our faculty as well as our live and online audiences have identified several challenging areas in the management of IFD. When queried in relevant case examples that illustrate these clinical scenarios, these audiences take varied approaches. What drives this variation? Is it knowledge gaps, institutional constraints, lack of confidence in or absence of guidelines, entrenched treatment patterns, or other factors? This activity has been designed to evaluate the decision-making process and help learners benchmark against expert approaches. Specific unmet needs include management of Candida auris infection, antifungal prophylaxis in an HSCT patient, and management of refractory molds.
At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be better able to:
This activity is directed to specialists in infectious diseases, hospital medicine, hematology/oncology, pathology, medical microbiology, critical care, pharmacy, and surgery, as well as other healthcare providers responsible for the management of invasive mycoses.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center, Center for Continuing Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Center for Continuing Education; Terranova Medica, LLC; and the Mycoses Study Group Educational and Research Consortium.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center, Center for Continuing Education designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
As a provider accredited by ACCME, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Center for Continuing Education must ensure balance, objectivity, independence, and scientific rigor in its educational activities. Faculty are encouraged to provide a balanced view of therapeutic options by utilizing either generic names or the trade names of several to ensure impartiality.
All speakers, planning committee members and others in a position to control continuing medical education content participating in a University of Nebraska Medical Center, Center for Continuing Education activity are required to disclose relationships with commercial interests. A commercial interest is any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients. Disclosure of these commitments and/or relationships is included in these activity materials so that participants in the activity may formulate their own judgments in interpreting its content and evaluating its recommendations.
This activity may include presentations in which faculty may discuss off-label and/or investigational use of pharmaceuticals or instruments not yet FDA-approved. Participants should note that the use of products outside currently FDA-approved labeling should be considered experimental and are advised to consult current prescribing information for FDA-approved indications.
The following indicates the disclosure declaration information and the nature of those commercial relationships:
Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, MD, FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA, CMQ
RESEARCH SUPPORT:
Astellas; Cidara; Pfizer, Inc.; Scynexis
ADVISORY BOARD:
Cidara; Merck & Co., Inc.; Pfizer; Scynexis
CONSULTANT:
Aradigm; Astellas; Bayer
SPEAKERS BUREAU:
Gilead; Merck & Co., Inc.; Pfizer, Inc.
INVESTIGATIONAL/OFF-LABEL USE OF DRUGS DISCLOSURE:
Discussion of investigational agents and diagnostics for antifungals in difficult cases
Melissa D. Johnson, PHARMD, MHS, AAHIVP
RESEARCH SUPPORT:
Charles River Laboratories; Merck & Co., Inc.
ROYALTIES:
UpToDate
INVESTIGATIONAL/OFF-LABEL USE OF DRUGS DISCLOSURE:
Possible mention of fluconazole, voriconazole, and isavuconazole as potential options for antifungal prophylaxis, although these agents do not have an FDA indication for this use
Jose A. Vazquez, MD, FACP, FIDSA
RESEARCH SUPPORT:
Astellas
ADVISORY BOARD:
Cidara
CONSULTANT:
Cidara; T2 Biosystems
Brenda C. Ram, CMP, CHCP
UNMC Center for Continuing Education
No conflicts to disclose.
ALISON FREIFELD, MD
University of Nebraska Medical Center
DATA SAFETY MONITORING BOARD:
Merck & Co., Inc.
INDUSTRY-FUNDED RESEARCH/INVESTIGATOR:
Merck & Co., Inc.
LISA A. TUSHLA, PHD, H(ASCP)
Terranova Medica, LLC
No conflicts to disclose
To receive a CME certificate of participation, participants should:
To participate, you will need access to a computer (either MAC or PC), tablet, or smart phone, with a Chrome (version 22.0.1229.94 or greater) web browser, Firefox (version 3.6 or greater) web browser or an Internet Explorer (version 8.0 or greater) web browser, JavaScript enabled, connected to the Internet (high speed connection preferred).
Terranova Medica, LLC, and UNMC CCE are committed to protecting the privacy of those who choose to participate in activities on funguscme.org. This information below describes our security policies for safeguarding personal information as well as the rationale for collection and use of personal information.
Security/safeguarding personal information
This website has physical and procedural safeguards in place to prevent unauthorized access to personal information used to access this website.
Collection and use of personal information
To earn CME credits using the website, the UNMC CCE requires submission of certain personally identifiable information. The required items include: first name, last name, degree, and e-mail address. These items are necessary to award and track the credits that participants may earn after completing the program. To obtain credit, learners must complete an evaluation of the CME activity. This information is used in a continuous improvement process to enhance the learning experience of future programs.
Terranova Medica, LLC, and UNMC CCE do not transfer, sell, or share personal information with outside parties. We will not disclose the information unless required in a legal proceeding.
The opinions or views expressed in this continuing education activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or recommendations of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Center for Continuing Education; the Mycoses Study Group Education & Research Consortium; and Terranova Medica, LLC.
Healthcare professionals and other individuals should review and consider other publications and materials on the subject before relying solely upon the information contained within this educational activity.
There is no charge for this activity.
This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from from: Astellas; Merck & Co, Inc.; and Gilead Sciences Europe, Ltd.
For further information, contact Tom Davis by telephone/fax (877-276-4523) or email (tdavis@terranovamedica.com).
Copyright ©2018 UNMC CCE; Terranova Medica, LLC; and MSG-ERC.