Archbald-Pannone, Laurie
Primary Appointment
Professor, Internal Medicine
Education
- MD, Medicine, Vanderbilt University
- Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Virginia
- MPH, Public Health, University of Virginia
- Research Fellowhip, Infectious Diseases, University of Virginia
- Clinical Fellowship, Geriatric Medicine, University of Virginia
Contact Information
Email: la2e@virginia.edu
Research Interests
Impact of infection on function and cognition, infection control in long-term care facilities and age-inclusive telehealth
Research Description
My research focus is in three main areas. The first is the field of geriatric infections, in particular, the impact and severity of Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection in elderly and hospitalized patients, as well as non-antibiotic treatment to control disease and prevent relapse. As PI (NIH/NIAID 1K23AI074681), I successfully completed a cohort study of 362 hospitalized patients with C. difficile infection. From this study, we developed a predictive model for mortality following infection. We also highlighted and continue to investigate the association of poor outcome, delirium and increased intestinal inflammation. In addition, as PI with funding from TechLab, Inc., we followed a cohort of patients with recurrent C. difficile infection treated with either fecal microbiota transplant or traditional antibiotics to determine the impact of treatment on intestinal microbiota, inflammation, and quality of life. Currently, I serve as Co-investigator on a Phase 2, randomized clinical trial evaluating the impact of alanyl-glutamate supplementation on clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with initial episode of CDI. I also serve as co-investigator on a project to evaluate the microbiome changes seen in patients with dementia. The second area of research is innovative curriculum for geriatric education in Undergraduate Medicine Education (UME) and Graduate Medical Education (GME). With an aging population, it is critical that we ensure the next generation of medical professions has a deep understanding of the care of the elderly, especially in the hospitalized setting. As PI, I created and evaluated a curriculum weekly inter-disciplinary teaching rounds with GME Internal Medicine residents, nurses, physical therapist, and occupational therapist.to educate internal medicine housestaff in the hospital-based management of the most common geriatric syndromes and care transitions (IRB-SBS # 2015028000). The third and newest area of research focus is telemedicine and collaborative care for older adults. Specifically, starting in March 2020, I led a team that focused on telemedicine services for residents in post-acute and long-term care facilities in response the COIVD-19 pandemic. We developed the UVA Geriatric Engagement and Resource Integration for Post-acute and Long-term care facilities (GERI-PaL) team with COVID-19 prevention and response programs. Since March 2020, we have successfully created, implemented, and published the creation of our model and initial outcomes. We implemented telemedicine consultation subspecialty services in 13 of our local PA/LTC facilities, as well as actively responded to 9 COVID-19 outbreaks and shown decreased mortality and hospitalization rates among these vulnerable patients with three peer-reviewed publications (https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2021.0108; http://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2020.0236; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2020.05.044). Our program was recognized with the Health Quality Innovator of the Year, 2nd place, HQI’s CMS Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Virginia, GERI-PaL initiative, in November 2020 as well as featured in numerous regional and national media sites. In 2021, in collaboration with West Health Institute and Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center (MATRC), we built upon this experience and convened the Collaborative for Telehealth for Aging, bringing together approximately 50 content experts from over 30 organizations across the country to determine the principles and guideline for age-inclusive telehealth, as well as resources for implementation available through the Center of Excellence for Telehealth and Aging (CE4TA) online portal (https://ce4ta.matrc.org/). Dr. Archbald-Pannone serves as PI and national Medical Director for this initiative. In 2022, with Dr. Archbald-Pannone as PI and medical director, we received funding from Virginia Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to lead the Virginia IMPACT (Infection Mitigation, Prevention and Control through Technology) initiative, as part of the Virginia Long-term Care Infrastructure Pilot Projects Grant. Virginia IMPACT provides education on infection control in congregate care communities and optimization of telehealth use in these environments. Through community outreach, we created a network of over 130 congregate care facilities, 105 that specifically serve older adults, throughout Virginia. We convene monthly meetings of this community of practice of approximate 30 facility based medical practitioners and administrators from around Commonwealth of Virginia, including 33 of 35 health districts. Virginia IMPACT team consults directly with congregate care facilities to improve their infection control preparedness through optimization of their telemedicine program.