The Center, which is the first of its kind in the nation, is a collaborative effort involving Baylor faculty from 16 clinical and basic science specialties. This collaboration provides an interdisciplinary approach for preventing and managing device-related infection.
Infection is the most common serious complication associated with medical devices.
The insertion of catheters, heart valves, breast and penile implants, orthopedic devices and other medical devices can easily introduce infection-causing bacteria into the body. According to Darouiche, the expertise of a variety of clinicians and scientists provides a more comprehensive approach to solving the problems associated with prosthesis infection. As part of an outreach effort, the center will develop educational collaborations and work closely with academic institutions, scientific organizations and regulatory agencies. Researchers will also work closely with device manufacturing companies to study existing technology, as well as develop new technology. Members of the center hope to establish themselves as a clinical referral group, available for consultations on difficult cases.