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Duke University and University of North Carolina

Duke University-University of North Carolina Epicenter

First Funded: 2011

Overview: Investigators in the Duke-UNC Epicenter have considerable experience and research expertise in hospital epidemiology, infection control, antimicrobial stewardship, epidemiologic studies of multidrug-resistant organisms, disinfection and sterilization. In particular, the Duke-UNC Epicenter has significant expertise in infection control and antimicrobial stewardship in community hospitals via two successful programs: the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network (DICON) and Duke Antimicrobial Stewardship Outreach Network (DASON). These networks respectively include 43 and 18 community hospitals, mostly in six southeastern states. Finally, the Duke-UNC Epicenter has significant laboratory infrastructure support and capabilities for molecular studies and a growing biorepository of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Research Study Areas:

  • Evaluate the impact of antimicrobial therapy on the skin microbiome.
  • Foster antimicrobial stewardship in varying hospital settings.
  • Evaluate strategies for prevention of surgical site infections.
  • Continue ongoing investigations into novel methods for environmental disinfection. Completed a cluster-randomized multihospital investigation of the efficacy of strategies such as the use of UV light emitters for enhanced terminal room disinfection.
  • Undertake numerous studies on the clinical and molecular epidemiology of multidrug-resistant organisms in community and tertiary care hospitals, on the epidemiology and prevention of healthcare-associated infections in community hospitals, and on novel methods and definitions for surveillance of healthcare-associated infections.
  • Participate in quality improvement collaboratives to improve outcomes of critically ill patients.

Principal Investigator: Deverick J. Anderson, MD, MPH

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