Activity Goal

Target Audience

Learning Objectives

Contract For Mutual Responsibility In CME/CE

CME INFORMATION

CME Instructions

Disclosure Information

ABOUT THE MODERATOR

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

MISCELLANEOUS

Preventing Risk of Hepatitis Exposure and Transmission in the Workplace

Est. download time 56k: 10 min., Broadband: 2 min.

Featuring Steven M. Gordon, MD
Chairman, Department of Infectious Disease
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Cleveland, OH

Our final interview in this 9-part series on vaccine-preventable hepatitis addresses HAV and HBV transmission in the workplace. Steven M. Gordon, MD, Chairman of the Infectious Disease Department at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio, discusses which workplace settings present the greatest opportunities for exposure to these viruses, common-sense practices that workers can implement to reduce their risk of exposure on the job, risks for people who must travel to areas of high HAV and HBV endemicity for business purposes, and proper vaccination administration to ensure efficacy.

Faculty Disclosure

Steven M. Gordon, MD, has received grant/research support from 3M Pharmaceuticals and serves on the clinical events monitoring committee of Thoratec Corporation.

Release Date: January 19, 2007.
Termination Date: January 19, 2008.
Estimated time for completion: 15 minutes.
Click here for References.

Viral Infections: Risks Posed by Newly Arrived Immigrants

Est. download time 56k: 10 min., Broadband: 2 min.

Featuring Gary A. Richwald, MD, MPH
Clinical Virologist
Los Angeles, CA

New immigrants to the United States arrive with dreams of a better life, but many who enter from areas with increased HAV prevalence (due to substandard living conditions and unsanitary drinking water) or high HBV endemicity (parts of South Asia, sub-Sahara Africa, and Eastern Europe) also bring greater risks of developing and spreading these infections. Our eighth interview focuses on these heightened risks and their potential impact on the communities in which new immigrants settle. Gary A. Richwald, MD, MPH, a clinical virologist from Los Angeles, CA, discusses the global regions that have the highest incidence of HAV and HBV infections, barriers to identifying and immunizing newly arrived immigrants at risk, ways to overcome these barriers, immigrants' access to healthcare, strategies to improve vaccination rates, and how to facilitate this through dual vaccination when appropriate.

Faculty Disclosure

Gary A. Richwald, MD, MPH, has received grant/research support from, is a consultant for, and is on the speakers bureau of GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.

Release Date: December 18, 2006.
Termination Date: December 18, 2007.
Estimated time for completion: 15 minutes.
Click here for References.

Cracking Down on Viral Infections in Substance Abusers

Est. download time 56k: 10 min., Broadband: 2 min.

Featuring William M. Cassidy, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Louisiana State University Health Science Center
Baton Rouge, LA

The risks of acquiring and transmitting hepatitis A and hepatitis B virus infections are greatly elevated in substance abusers, particularly so for users of illegal drugs who share needles and other paraphernalia as well as persons who engage in irresponsible or unsafe sexual practices while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In our seventh interview, William M. Cassidy, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine at the Louisiana State University Health Science Center in Baton Rouge, discusses how substance abusers spread HAV/HBV, current recommendations for screening these individuals for HAV and HBV infections, determining whom to vaccinate and when to do so, and the benefits of outreach and education programs targeted to at-risk populations.

Faculty Disclosure

William M. Cassidy, MD, has received grant/research support from and is a consultant for Roche Pharmaceuticals and Schering-Plough Corporation; and is on the speakers bureau of GlaxoSmithKline, Merck & Co, Inc, Roche Pharmaceuticals, and Schering-Plough Corporation.

Release Date: November 17, 2006.
Termination Date: November 17, 2007.
Estimated time for completion: 15 minutes.
Click here for References.

The Fine Points of Administering HAV/HBV Vaccines

Est. download time 56k: 10 min., Broadband: 2 min.

Featuring Jody Henry Hershey, MD, MPH
Director, New River Health District
Christiansburg, VA

In our sixth Newsmakers In Medicine interview, Jody Henry Hershey, MD, MPH, Director of the New River Health District in Christiansburg, Virginia, delves into the topic of HAV/HBV vaccine administration. Dr. Hershey starts off with a comprehensive review of the proper dosing schedules, frequency, and preferred route of administration for the HAV, HBV, and combination HAV/HBV vaccines based on patient age and underlying health status. Next he describes the immunogenicity and efficacy of all three vaccine formulations, factors that can affect response, management of nonresponders, and recommendations for pre- and post-vaccination serologic testing. In conclusion, Dr. Hershey examines vaccine-related side effects and contraindications for vaccination.

Faculty Disclosure

Jody Henry Hershey, MD, MPH, is on the speakers bureau of and has received consulting fees from GlaxoSmithKline.

Release Date: October 18, 2006.
Termination Date: October 18, 2007.
Estimated time for completion: 15 minutes.
Click here for References.

Cutting the Cord: Managing Transmission Risk from Mothers to Infants

Est. download time 56k: 10 min., Broadband: 2 min.

Featuring Stanley A. Gall, MD
Professor of OB-GYN
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY

HBV infections in pregnant women can lead to serious consequences for the mother, and transmission of the virus to the newborn can result in cirrhosis, liver failure, and/or cancer. In our fifth interview, Stanley A. Gall, MD, Professor of OB-GYN at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, examines several factors that can elevate transmission risk in HBV-infected women who become pregnant and in women who acquire HBV infections during pregnancy, and offers strategies to help reduce these risks. Dr. Gall also discusses prenatal screening, postpartum care, monitoring of infected mothers and newborns, the specific challenges associated with neonatal hepatitis, and the safety and timing of administering HAV/HBV vaccine to pregnant women and infants.

Faculty Disclosure

Stanley A. Gall, MD, has received grant/research support from and is on the speakers bureau of GlaxoSmithKline, Merck & Co, Inc, and 3M Pharmaceuticals; is a consultant for GlaxoSmithKline and Merck & Co, Inc; and has received consulting fees and honoraria from GlaxoSmithKline, Merck & Co, Inc, Sanofi-Aventis, and 3M Pharmaceuticals.

Release Date: September 18, 2006.
Termination Date: September 18, 2007.
Estimated time for completion: 15 minutes.
Click here for References.

Guarding Against Viral Disease Transmission in Prisons and Jails

Est. download time 56k: 10 min., Broadband: 2 min.

Featuring Karl Brown, MD
Infectious Diseases Supervisor
PHS Medical PC, Rikers Island
East Elmhurst, NY

HAV and HBV infections are highly prevalent among prison and jail inmates. Many individuals are already infected when they enter the prison system due to lifestyle choices or participation in high-risk activities prior to confinement, while others acquire hepatitis infections during their incarceration. Consequently, there is an extraordinary risk of transmission within correctional settings as well as to the communities to which released prisoners are returned. In our fourth interview, Dr. Karl Brown, Infectious Diseases Supervisor at New York City's Rikers Island jail complex, describes some of the unique challenges associated with managing and preventing HAV and HBV infections in prisons and jails, focusing on current protocols for screening and vaccinating inmates.

Faculty Disclosure

Karl Brown, MD, is a consultant for Abbott Laboratories, GlaxoSmithKline, and Tibotec.

Release Date: August 17, 2006.
Termination Date: August 17, 2007.
Estimated time for completion: 15 minutes.
Click here for References.

The ABCs of Coinfections with HAV, HBV, HCV, and HIV

Est. download time 56k: 10 min., Broadband: 2 min.

Featuring Peter A. Leone, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

Coinfections with hepatitis viruses (HAV, HBV, and HCV) and with HIV present numerous challenges to clinicians in terms of diagnosing, treating, and monitoring infected patients. Our third interview focuses on some of these challenges as they relate to screening, transmission, and prevention strategies. Dr. Peter A. Leone, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the Medical Director for the North Carolina HIV/STD Prevention and Care Branch, discusses the prevalence and consequences of coinfection with these viruses and explains why some patient groups are more likely to develop coinfection than others. In conclusion, Dr. Leone outlines the current recommendations for screening for these viruses and for vaccinating against HAV and HBV infections.

Faculty Disclosure

Peter A. Leone, MD, has received grant/research support from Abbott Laboratories, GlaxoSmithKline, and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; and is on the speakers bureau of GlaxoSmithKline.

Release Date: July 14, 2006.
Termination Date: July 14, 2007.
Estimated time for completion: 15 minutes.
Click here for References.

Hepatitis + STDs = Public Health Crisis?

Est. download time 56k: 10 min., Broadband: 2 min.

Featuring Robert A. Gunn, MD, MPH
STD Control Officer
Public Health Services Division
San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency
San Diego, CA

Hepatitis virus infections are easily spread through sexual contact, putting a large portion of the sexually active population at risk for acquiring HAV and HBV infections. Therefore, persons with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and those who practice unsafe sex are particularly vulnerable. An excellent opportunity to increase awareness about the need to immunize against hepatitis virus infections resides with primary care physicians and medical staffs at STD clinics and community health facilities. In our second interview, Dr. Robert A. Gunn, STD Control Officer for San Diego County, identifies the highest-risk population groups, examines community screening and immunization programs, and discusses ways to get more people vaccinated against HAV/HBV virus infections.

Faculty Disclosure

Robert A. Gunn, MD, MPH, has indicated no significant relationships with industry.

Release Date: June 15, 2006.
Termination Date: June 15, 2007.
Estimated time for completion: 15 minutes.
Click here for References.

Preview New ACIP Guidelines on Prevention of HAV and HBV

Est. download time 56k: 10 min., Broadband: 2 min.

Featuring William Schaffner, MD
Chair and Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Nashville, TN

In this first interview, Dr. William Schaffner presents an overview of HAV and HBV prevention through immunization, followed by a discussion of disease prevalence, patient outreach and screening, and cost effectiveness of immunization. Dr. Schaffner also previews the newly updated Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines and advises on how physicians can implement the ACIP recommendations into their practices. In closing the program, Dr. Schaffner offers his insights on why immunization rates in the United States are so low and what clinicians need to do to get more patients vaccinated against HAV and HBV.

Faculty Disclosure

William Schaffner, MD, is on the advisory board (Data Safety Monitoring Board) for Merck & Co, Inc; and has received honoraria from GlaxoSmithKline.

Release Date: May 15, 2006.
Termination Date: May 15, 2007.
Estimated time for completion: 15 minutes.
Click here for References.

Poll Question

For information on other CME activities, please go to www.projectsinknowledge.com

Medical News

Powered By