NOTE: This module is currently in the process of being updated and recertified, and so does not currently offer CME. A fully updated module eligible for CME is expected to be available February 2024.

Michael P. Carson, MD, and Edward Liu, MD, MPH

If you are a Program Director and would like to grant access to your trainees, please reach out to education@hospitalmedicine.org for an academic access code.

Summary

Perioperative fever has multiple possible etiologies, including infections such as pneumonia, fungal infections, central-line associated infections, and urinary infections. By understanding the typical time frame and common risk factors for each etiology, hospitalists and other perioperative consultants can develop a differential diagnosis for perioperative fever. The following module will provide a general approach for determining the differential diagnosis in patients with a perioperative fever, as well as an outline of the diagnostic and treatment modalities. 

Goal

To provide hospitalists and other perioperative consultants with a general approach to evaluating and treating patients with perioperative fever, especially those due to pulmonary, urinary, central venous catheter-related, and fungal infections. 

Target Audience

This activity is designed for hospitalists and other perioperative consultants. No prerequisites required.

Learning Objectives

After completing the module, the participant should be able to:

1.    Develop a differential diagnosis for patients with a perioperative fever based on the timing of the fever. 
2.    Evaluate diagnostic and treatment strategies for postoperative pneumonia. 
3.    Evaluate diagnostic and treatment strategies for postoperative urinary catheter-related infection. 
4.    Evaluate diagnostic and treatment strategies for postoperative central venous catheter-related infection. 
5.    Evaluate diagnostic and treatment strategies for postoperative fungal infection.

Accreditation Statement

The Society of Hospital Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Statement Designation:

The Society of Hospital Medicine designates this activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Release date: September 03, 2020    

Expiration date: September 03, 2023

Estimated time to complete activity: 2 hours

Conflict Of Interest Disclosure Policy

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, SHM requires that individuals in a position to control the content of an educational activity disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. SHM resolves all conflicts of interest to ensure independence, objectivity, balance, and scientific rigor in all its educational programs. All relevant financial relationships shall be disclosed to participants prior to the start of the activity.

Furthermore, SHM seeks to verify that all scientific research referred to, reported, or used in a continuing medical education (CME) activity conforms to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. SHM is committed to providing its learners with high-quality CME activities that promote improvements in healthcare and not those of a commercial interest.

Instructions

The following is an interactive educational module designed to help you gauge your basic knowledge of the topic and then direct you to areas you may need to focus on. It consists of 3 sections: a non-designated pre-test, a study program, and a CME post-test. All 3 sections must be completed to receive CME credit.