Course Details:
Launch Date: August 5, 2025
Expires: August 31, 2027
Course #1072
10 Credits/Hours
Course Overview
This comprehensive course provides healthcare professionals and students with essential knowledge about Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), one of the most significant healthcare-associated infections. Participants will explore the microbiology of C. difficile, understand transmission dynamics, recognize clinical manifestations, learn evidence-based treatment approaches, and implement effective prevention strategies. The course emphasizes practical application of current guidelines and best practices in managing this challenging infection.
Table of Contents
- Microbiology and Pathophysiology of Clostridioides difficile
- Epidemiology and Risk Factors for CDI
- Clinical Presentation and Diagnostic Approaches
- Treatment and Management Strategies
- Prevention and Infection Control Measures
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the microbiology of Clostridioides difficile and explain the pathophysiological mechanisms of infection and disease progression
- Identify key epidemiological trends and recognize patient populations at highest risk for developing CDI
- Recognize the spectrum of clinical presentations from mild diarrhea to severe complications including pseudomembranous colitis and toxic megacolon
- Apply current evidence-based diagnostic criteria and interpret laboratory test results for CDI diagnosis
- Develop appropriate treatment plans based on disease severity and patient-specific factors, including antibiotic selection and management of recurrent infections
- Implement comprehensive infection prevention and control strategies to reduce CDI transmission in healthcare settings
- Evaluate the role of antimicrobial stewardship in preventing CDI and understand the impact of antibiotic use on CDI risk
