About the Center
The center is focused on improving the quality of life of persons who have medical prostheses by developing and implementing technologies to prevent or treat infection.
Primary areas of work of the Center for Prostheses Infection include:
- Developing interdisciplinary approaches to prevent infections associated with indwelling medical prostheses.
- Investigating innovative means for managing prostheses infection.
- Developing educational collaborations that bring together academic institutions, scientific organizations, regulatory agencies and device manufacturing companies for the purpose of achieving these goals.
Center Director
Rabih O. Darouiche, M.D., is the founder and director of the center. He is a professor in the Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, and a staff physician in the Spinal Cord Injury and Medical Services, Infectious Disease Section, at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas. Board Certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases; Dr. Darouiche is an outstanding clinician and excellent academician. Additionally, Dr. Darouiche is an internationally renowned researcher with clinically proven approaches for rendering medical devices anti-infective.
The author of over 60 articles and textbook chapters, Dr. Darouiche is known for his prominent work in the area of prosthesis infection. His publications, such as the lead article in the New England Journal of Medicine (1999; 340:1-8) entitled, "A Comparison of Two Antimicrobial-Impregnated Central Venous Catheters," have had an overwhelming impact on patient care.
Funding
Funding for the center is received solely by grants and donations from scientific organizations, corporations and private individuals.
Prostheses Infection Faculty
The center is comprised of clinical and research faculty representing 18 different specialties.
