SUMMARY
Hussam Tabaja, M.D., focuses on clinical research concerning infections associated with medical hardware. His research interests encompass infections related to vascular grafts, cardiovascular implantable electronic devices, deep brain stimulation devices and osteoarticular implants.
Dr. Tabaja's work primarily focuses on understanding the epidemiology and microbiology of infections associated with medical hardware and their effective treatment. By delving into the intricate details of how these infections are managed, he strives to improve patient outcomes and advance medical knowledge in this critical field of healthcare. His dedication to this area of research highlights the importance of combating hardware-associated infections.
Focus areas
Infections associated with vascular grafts. Dr. Tabaja has published research findings about the incidence of vascular graft-related infections and the incidence and consequences of bloodstream infections in people with vascular grafts. Additionally, he has written a comprehensive review on vascular graft infections, highlighting the collaborative care model at Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Tabaja continues to explore various aspects of vascular graft infections including diagnosis, microbiology and treatment. He collaborates with leading experts in cardiovascular infectious diseases and vascular surgery.
- Infections associated with deep brain stimulation devices. Dr. Tabaja spearheaded efforts to investigate the epidemiology and microbiology of and treatment strategies for deep brain stimulation device-associated infections. He published one of the largest case series on these infections in the United States.
- Infections associated with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices. Dr. Tabaja collaborated on multiple retrospective studies of infections related to cardiovascular implantable electronic devices. He studied the incidence of these infections in people with bacteremia from various germs.
- Infections associated with osteoarticular hardware. Dr. Tabaja focuses on osteoarticular hardware-associated infections and is currently leading research efforts on fracture-related infections.
Significance to patient care
The demand for medical hardware to support organ function is increasing. As the number of people requiring medical devices grows, the incidence of infections related to medical hardware rises correspondingly. Individuals with implanted devices are at risk of difficult-to-eradicate infections due to biofilm formation on foreign surfaces.
Many of these hardware-related infections are poorly understood, highlighting the need for extensive research. Investigating the epidemiology of these infections is crucial for developing prevention strategies. Studying the microbiology of these infections and their treatment options helps create effective treatment algorithms. Continued research in this field is essential to improving the quality of care and patient outcomes in the future.