Procalcitonin: PCT as a Biomarker for Antimicrobial Stewardship (FutureLearn)

Discover the benefits of procalcitonin in the ICU
Even in some of the most challenging areas of the medical field, PCT is used every day. Discover the benefits of procalcitonin in and out of ICU.

Learn about the connection between procalcitonin and COVID-19
COVID-19 has changed the world. This course will explore the benefits of using procalcitonin with COVID patients, to bring you a modern and up-to-date education.

What are the limitations and controversies of procalcitonin?
This course also addresses the controversies and limitations associated with procalcitonin. Discover the other side of this biomarker, not just its benefits. After this course, you’ll be familiar with how it should be used in your practice.

Learn why procalcitonin is crucial in antimicrobial stewardship
This course will let you learn about the connection between procalcitonin and antimicrobial stewardship. Find out how PCT can benefit AMS practices and ensure antimicrobials are used appropriately to avoid antimicrobial resistance.

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction to Procalcitonin and Antimicrobial Stewardship
Week 2: Procalcitonin use in clinical settings
Week 3: Challenging situations and Procalcitonin use

What topics will you cover?

• Introducing diagnostics, specifically procalcitonin (PCT)
• How PCT can be used both in the ICU and outside of the ICU
• The use of PCT in relation to COVID-19
• Addressing the controversies/limitations associated with PCT
• The role of PCT use in antimicrobial stewardship

Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

• Explain what biomarkers and procalcitonin are
• Summarise the use of procalcitonin in sepsis, the ICU, and outside the ICU
• Describe the benefits of using procalcitonin in COVID-19 cases
• Demonstrate an understanding of how procalcitonin use can benefit antimicrobial stewardship
• Discuss the benefits and limitations of procalcitonin and assess how it should be used in your practice

Who is the course for?
The course is aimed at clinicians who want to know more about diagnostics and the uses of procalcitonin within the medical field.
Health care professionals, laboratory workers, and researchers will also find useful information here about PCT as a biomarker.