June 7, 2015 - Physician researchers from the Division of Infectious Diseases presented two posters at the national meeting of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), which took place May 14-17, 2015 in Orlando, FL.
Marilou Corpuz, MDDr. Marilou Corpuz presented "Challenges in an Influenza Outbreak on a Psychiatry Unit", an investigation of a recent influenza outbreak at the Wakefield Campus. The study focused on the infection prevention and control strategies implemented in an inpatient psychiatry unit during an influenza outbreak involving patients and hospital care workers. The experience demonstrated the challenges and difficulties in dealing with this patient population including compliance with isolation, hand hygiene, group sessions, and interpatient contact. It also highlighted the engagement and eagerness of the patients in complying with some of the strategies such as vaccination.
Dr. Corpuz is the Clinical Director of Infectious Diseases at Montefiore Medical Center Wakefield Campus and Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine (Infectious Diseases). She has been the primary infectious diseases educator among the medical residents and students at Wakefield for over 20 years. Her interests are hospital-acquired infections, including C difficile infections, CLABSI, and infections in the elderly population.
Priya Nori, MDDr. Priya Nori presented "Engaging Internists to Champion Antimicrobial Stewardship on the Wards", a study conducted in collaboration with the Department of Medicine at the Wakefield Campus. In this pilot study, intensive stewardship intervention was performed on more than 350 patients within the first 24-48 hours of admission in an attempt to streamline antibiotic therapy and better target the treatment of infections. Patients were elderly, often from long term care facilities, with high rates of sepsis. Patients who received the intervention appear to have had a decrease in length of hospital stay compared to similar patients prior to the study.
Dr. Nori is Director of the Montefiore Einstein Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at Wakefield, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine (Infectious Diseases). Her research currently focuses on educational tools for improving antibiotic prescribing in medical providers. She is very involved in residency and fellow education and curriculum development in the area of Infectious Diseases.
