On Friday, October 15, 1999 the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sponsored a live, interactive satellite videoconference entitled "Strategies for Managing Resistant Nosocomial Gram-Positive Infections in the New Millennium."

Resistant gram-positive pathogens have been increasingly implicated in nosocomial infections and have surpassed gram-negative organisms as the most common cause of nosocomial blood stream infections. Early and accurate identification of resistant pathogens and knowledge of their susceptibility to currently available, as well as emerging and novel therapeutic interventions is essential to aggressively and appropriately treat patients. In addition, implementation of effective infection control policies and procedures has become increasingly important. The videoconference was designed to confront these issues and challenges on a practical, real-world basis.

Broadcast to over 7,500 participants at more than 500 host sites and on the Internet, the video conference focused on the epidemiology of resistant nosocomial gram-positive infections and current and therapeutic options for managing them. During the broadcast, course participants were able to call in questions to faculty members via a toll free number.

A distinguished group of clinicians and investigators served on the faculty for the event, including: moderator, Julie L. Gerberding, MD, MPH; Henry F. Chambers, MD; E. Patchen Dellinger, MD; Michael B. Edmond, MD, MPH; Peter K. Linden, MD; and Carole B. Miller, MD. In addition, William J. Martone, MD, senior executive director of NFID served as course chairman.

Physicians who were unable to participate in the activity during the live broadcast can still participate via the Internet. The web address is http://www.healthcasts.com (Note: you must download free RealPlayer® software to view the presentation).

This activity was made possible by an unrestricted educational grant to NFID from Rhône-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals Inc.

After launching its influenza web presentation in November of 1998, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) saw a three-fold increase in the number of consumers viewing its web site.

Developed to provide practical and scientific information to the general public, NFID has developed a new web site, Pneumococcal Infections: Recognizing, Treating and Preventing Infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae available here. The site was developed through an unrestricted educational grant from Merck Vaccine Division and Wyeth-Lederle Vaccines.

The influenza site has been expanded to include information about new therapies that are available to treat influenza. Updates to the flu presentation will be funded by unrestricted educational grants from Roche Laboratories and Glaxo Wellcome.