This course covers three related aspects of medical care. All three are critical for the safety of patients. Avoiding Errors: Communication, Identification, and Verification These three critical issues are: Communication among healthcare providers Identification of patients Verification of patient, procedure, and site before a procedure The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) recognizes the importance of effective communication, identification, and verification. The AAAHC has several standards that aim to ensure: Effective communication among caregivers Correct identification of patients Verification of correct patient and procedure This course will provide you with information needed to avoid errors during communication, identification, and verification. Recognize methods for preventing errors when communicating verbally Recognize risky terms that should not be used in clinical documentation Recognize the need for effective hand off communication and timely reporting of critical results Recognize the need for a consistent system for identifying patients List the steps for double checking surgical patient, procedure, and site Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of HIV/AIDS The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the first cases of what is now called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 1981. Since that time, HIV/AIDS has emerged as one of the single most significant health threats of our time, claiming the lives of: Over 685,000 people in the United States (as of the end of 2013) Over 39 million people worldwide In spite of efforts to contain this epidemic, HIV continues to spread. In the United States today: 50,000 new cases of HIV infection are reported each year. Nearly 27,000 new diagnoses of AIDS are reported each year. Over 1.2 million people are living with HIV. Nearly 14% of people living with HIV are unaware of their infection. Nearly 1.2 million people are living with AIDS. Identify the importance of HIV testing, including which patients should be offered testing. Specify HIV testing options and state specific requirements for testing and reporting. Describe the management of HIV infection, both before and after drug treatment is initiated. List strategies for promoting patient adherence to an HIV treatment regimen. Discuss best practices for reducing risk of HIV exposure and infection, both within and outside the healthcare setting. This course has been designed to help you do your part in slowing the spread of HIV infection, by providing you with essential information on: HIV testing options and the importance of testing HIV treatment Specific strategies for preventing the spread of HIV Page 1 of 12
This course will discuss domestic abuse, and will provide you with the information you need to: Identify victims Assess victims Refer victims to other resources Report victims of this form of abuse Domestic Abuse: Identifying and Assessing Victims By doing so, you can: Maintain compliance with The Joint Commission standards. Improve public health Improve your facility s quality of patient care Identify key characteristics of domestic abuse and abusive relationships. List the effects of domestic abuse on the victim and children as they relate to the provision of care. Cite the methods for and components of assessing victims of domestic abuse in a clinical setting. Identify the reporting requirements for domestic abuse and how mandatory reporting may affect interactions with patients. Domestic Abuse: Identifying and Assessing Victims (CE) Domestic abuse occurs between two people in a close, intimate relationship. Understanding abusive relationships will help you to see domestic abuse as a public health threat and identify and care for victims of abuse. This course will discuss domestic abuse, and will provide you with the information you need to identify victims, assess victims, refer victims to other resources, and report victims of this form of abuse. After completing this continuing education activity, the participant should be able to: Identify key characteristics of domestic abuse and abusive relationships. List the effects of domestic abuse on the victim and children as they relate to the provision of care. Cite the methods for and components of assessing victims of domestic abuse in a clinical setting. Identify the reporting requirements for domestic abuse and how mandatory reporting may affect interactions with patients. General Safety Concerns for Workers in the Ambulatory Setting Ambulatory healthcare facilities have many hazards. If safeguards are not put in place, these hazards can lead to: Injury Lawsuits Poor regulatory reviews On the other hand, staff commitment to safety policies and procedures can help: Minimize hazards Maximize safety This course will teach you: How to identify and define different types of hazards How to identify staff at risk for exposure to each hazard How to safeguard against different types of hazards Define different types of hazards List examples of each type of hazard Identify the personnel at high risk for exposure to each type of hazard Recognize factors that contribute to certain hazards Recognize how to guard against different hazards in the healthcare setting Page 2 of 12
A healthcare associated infection (HAI) is an infection that a patient acquires while receiving treatment within a healthcare setting, most List the causes of HAI often a hospital, ambulatory care center, or other, similar facility. Explain factors associated with increased risk of HAI Discuss strategies for preventing HAI The incidence of healthcare associated infection is significant. The associated socioeconomic costs are staggering. Healthcare Associated Infection in the Ambulatory Care Setting This course has been designed to help decrease the incidence and burden of HAI by providing you with information on: Causes Risk factors Preventive best practices HIPAA Training for Healthcare Personnel As a worker in the healthcare industry, you are affected by the Administrative Simplification requirements of HIPAA. You are required by law to follow these rules. In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) made changes to HIPAA. Individuals who obtain protected information without authorization can face criminal penalties. This includes employees at ambulatory care facilities. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) made additional changes to HIPAA to enhance compliance and standardize certain rules. This course will help you comply with HIPAA rules and regulations. Identify covered entities as defined by HIPAA List eight electronic health transactions covered by HIPAA and the medical code sets to be used for these transactions Recognize safeguards required by HIPAA to ensure the security and integrity of electronic health information Describe the unique employer identifier used under HIPAA Distinguish between uses and disclosures of health information that are and are not allowed under the HIPAA Privacy Rule Identify recent changes to HIPAA as they impact security and privacy rules, new penalties, and enforcement. You will learn about: Which organizations are covered by HIPAA The penalties for violating HIPAA The Administrative Simplification requirements of HIPAA, and how to comply with each Page 3 of 12
HIPAA Training for Healthcare Personnel (CE) In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) made changes to HIPAA. Individuals who obtain protected information without authorization can face criminal penalty. This includes employees at a hospital. It s important for nurses to understand how to comply with these regulations within their daily work activities. The purpose of this course is to discuss and educate nurses about which organizations are covered by HIPAA, the penalties for violating HIPAA, and the Administrative Simplification Requirements of HIPAA, and how to comply with each. After completing this continuing education activity, you should be able to: Identify covered entities under HIPAA List eight electronic health transactions covered by HIPAA and the medical code sets to be used for these transactions Recognize safeguards required by HIPAA to ensure the security and integrity of electronic health information Identify the unique employer identifier used under HIPAA Distinguish between uses and disclosures of health information that are and are not allowed under the HIPAA Privacy Rule Identify recent changes to HIPAA as they impact security and privacy rules, new penalties, and enforcement. Monitoring Patients During Moderate Sedation/Analgesia Sedation and analgesia are important risk factors for morbidity and mortality during procedures. Administering sedation safely is critical to: Help prevent negative outcomes Comply with regulations This course will cover: How moderate sedation relates to other types of anesthesia services, and how this relates to patient safety Important information about the administration of moderate sedation, including processes and procedures that occur before and after administration of sedative/analgesic agents How The Joint Commission expects accredited facilities to manage patients receiving moderate sedation List the levels on the continuum of sedation in typical patient care scenarios. Identify key features of each level on the continuum of sedation. List The Joint Commission standards for moderate sedation that promote patient safety. Identify key requirements of each of The Joint Commission standards that help ensure patient safety. Page 4 of 12
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the first cases of what is now called AIDS in 1981. Pathology and Epidemiology of HIV Since then, HIV/AIDS has emerged as one of the single most significant health threats of our time, claiming the lives of: 658,507 people in the United States (as of the end of 2012) Over 34 million people worldwide In spite of efforts to contain this epidemic, HIV continues to spread. By the end of 2012, the CDC reported that in the United States there were: Nearly 50,000 new cases of HIV infection reported each year Over 1.2 million people living with HIV infection, with approximately 12.8% of them unaware of their infection status Approximately 477,000 people living with AIDS This course has been designed to help you do your part in slowing the spread of HIV infection by providing you with essential background information on: The biology and pathology of HIV Risk factors for HIV infection Explain the relationships among HIV, CD4 cells, and the immune system as they relate to disease pathology Specify how HIV is transmitted, including high risk behaviors associated with HIV transmission Cite populations at increased risk for HIV infection Discuss the importance of cultural competence when it comes to treating and preventing HIV infection Pathology and Epidemiology of HIV (CE) The first cases of AIDS were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1981. Since that time, HIV/AIDS has emerged as one of the single most significant health threats of our time, claiming the lives of over 650,000 people in the United States (as of the end of 2010) and over 25 million people worldwide. This course has been designed to help nurses do their part in slowing the spread of HIV infection, by providing you with essential background information on the biology and pathology of HIV as well as the risk factors for HIV infection. After completing this continuing education activity, the participant should be able to: Explain the relationships among HIV, CD4 cells, and the immune system as they relate to disease pathology. Specify how HIV is transmitted, including high risk behaviors associated with HIV transmission. Cite populations at increased risk for HIV infection. Discuss the importance of cultural competence when it comes to treating and preventing HIV infection. Preventing Adverse Events This course will teach you how to deal with adverse events you may encounter when caring for patients in an ambulatory care center. Distinguish between adverse events and sentinel events. You will learn: What adverse events are, and how to respond to them Identify how to appropriately respond to adverse and sentinel events. What sentinel events are, and how to respond to them Strategies for Describe the role of The Joint Commission with regard to sentinel preventing adverse events events. List common causes of adverse events and related preventive strategies. Page 5 of 12
Patients are often too sick to protect themselves from harm. This means that fires in healthcare facilities can be especially dangerous. Preventing Ambulatory Center Fires Healthcare workers must be able to identify fire risks to prevent fires. They must also know what to do if a fire does occur. This course will teach you: How to identify fire risks and prevent fires How to respond to a fire emergency How The Joint Commission, the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expect accredited facilities to handle fire safety Identify the three sides of the fire triangle List sources of fuel, oxygen, and heat in the healthcare setting Discuss the importance of fire safety List the primary goals of the Life Safety Code List common causes of fire in the healthcare setting List methods of preventing fires Identify high risk areas for fires List the steps of RACE Identify methods of carrying patients to safety Identify how to contain a fire Recognize when it is safe to use a portable extinguisher to fight a fire List guidelines for patient evacuation Prevention of Infection: Standard Precautions Healthcare workers routinely come into contact with human blood and other body fluids. As a result, healthcare workers are at risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens. It is important that healthcare workers know about important bloodborne diseases, symptoms of these diseases as well as how these diseases are spread. The purpose of this course is to help healthcare workers protect themselves, their coworkers, their patients and their families. This course will discuss how to work safely with blood and body fluids and how to protect against exposure to bloodborne pathogens. After completing this course, the participant should be able to: Identify important bloodborne pathogens and how they are spread. These pathogens increase the risk of infection to healthcare workers. List important safeguards against bloodborne pathogen exposure. These safeguards will improve healthcare worker safety. Identify what to do if you are exposed to a bloodborne pathogen. This knowledge will increase healthcare worker safety. Prevention of Infection: Standard Precautions (CE) Healthcare workers routinely come into contact with human blood and other body fluids. As a result, healthcare workers are at risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens. It is important that healthcare workers know about important bloodborne diseases, symptoms of these diseases as well as how these diseases are spread. The purpose of this course is to help healthcare workers protect themselves, their coworkers, their patients and their families. This course will discuss how to work safely with blood and body fluids and how to protect against exposure to bloodborne pathogens. After completing this continuing education activity, the participant should be able to: Identify important bloodborne pathogens and how they are spread. These pathogens increase the risk of infection to healthcare workers. List important safeguards against bloodborne pathogen exposure. These safeguards will improve healthcare worker safety. Identify what to do if you are exposed to a bloodborne pathogen. This knowledge will increase healthcare worker safety. Page 6 of 12
Healthcare is a high risk industry for back pain and injury. Protecting Your Back From Injury Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants are at highest risk. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these workers have more back injuries than any other healthcare occupation. This course will teach you: How back injury occurs The basic structure and function of the spine How to properly use the back and spine during sleeping, sitting, standing, and lifting How to reduce your risk of back injury Detail the occurrence of back pain and injury among workers in the United States Identify risk factors for back injury Describe basic spinal anatomy and physiology Discuss safe operation of the spine during sleeping, sitting, standing, and lifting Recognize the differences between lifting an object and moving a patient Describe safe practices for handling patients Discuss the importance of proper posture and regular exercise for back health Reducing the Likelihood of Patient Harm During Anticoagulant Therapy Anticoagulants are the primary drugs for prevention and treatment of After completing this course, the participant should be able to: multiple thromboembolic disorders. However, their use in outpatient Cite the clinical use of anticoagulant therapy settings is often associated with adverse drug events and requires close Discuss the risks associated with anticoagulant therapy monitoring to prevent patient harm. Identify methods for improving anticoagulant drug safety Staff caring for patients receiving anticoagulant therapy or prophylaxis should be aware of: The potential for adverse drug events Potential for drug and food interactions Appropriate protocols for ongoing assessment Need for therapy to be adjusted In addition, staff caring for patients receiving therapy or prophylaxis whose lab values for coagulation remain outside of normal must be able to: Provide individualized care Ensure patient safety The information in this course will help you to safely care for patients receiving anticoagulant therapy in the outpatient setting. Page 7 of 12
Blood transfusions play an important role in medical care. Transfusions can save the lives of patients who need blood because of disease or injury. Safely Administering Blood Products However, blood transfusions also have risks. For most patients who need blood, the potential benefits far outweigh the risks. This is especially true when healthcare staff are educated and trained to minimize risks. Well trained staff: Follow best practices to help prevent transfusion problems Recognize problems when they do occur Respond to problems quickly and effectively This course focuses on hands on clinical issues, such as: How to administer blood and blood products safely How to recognize and respond to transfusion problems After completing this course, the participant should be able to: List the steps used to prepare for a blood transfusion Discuss best practices for transfusing blood components, including proper use of related devices Describe the symptoms of transfusion reactions Identify appropriate nursing responses and prevention strategies for each type of reaction Safely Administering Medications Each year, approximately 1.5 million patients are harmed by medication errors. Most medication errors can be prevented. When drugs are not identified correctly, dangerous drug errors can occur. Best practices for the prevention of medication errors include addressing the safe use of look alike and sound alike drugs and labeling all drugs in perioperative and other procedural settings. This course will discuss how to improve drug safety in a facility and comply with Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Healthcare (AAAHC) requirements related to drug safety. After completing this course, the participant should be able to: List the AAAHC requirements related to drug safety Identify methods for improving drug safety Describe how to reconcile medications across a patient s care In this course, we will examine drug errors and hazards. Safely Administering Medications: Part 2 This course will help you: Keep your patients safe from drug errors Keep yourself safe when working with hazardous drugs Identify the features of adverse drug events that can assist in their recognition in order to promote positive patient outcomes. Explain ways to reduce the risk of drug interactions in patients to You will learn about: Adverse drug events and drug interactions Highalert medications Hazardous drugs and other substances, including Discuss ways to increase the safe use of high alert drugs in patients to increase patient safety. medical gases increase patient safety. List methods for limiting your exposure to hazardous drugs that will help ensure healthcare worker safety. Identify methods to increase the safe use of medical gases in patient care. Page 8 of 12
Safely Administering Medications: Part 2 (CE) Each year, approximately 1.5 million patients are harmed by medication errors. These preventable drug mistakes occur in hospitals, long term care settings, and outpatient clinics. Most medication errors can be prevented. This course discusses keeping your patients safe from drug errors as well as keeping yourself safe when working with hazardous drugs. Participants will learn about adverse drug events and drug interactions, high alert medications, and hazardous drugs and other substances, including medical gases. After completing this continuing education activity, you should be able to: Identify the features of adverse drug events that can assist in their recognition in order to promote positive patient outcomes. Explain ways to reduce the risk of drug interactions in patients to increase patient safety. Discuss ways to increase the safe use of high alert drugs in patients to increase patient safety. List methods for limiting your exposure to hazardous drugs that will help ensure healthcare worker safety. Identify methods to increase the safe use of medical gases in patient care. Safer Patient Handling and Movement Nursing personnel are responsible for performing many patient lifts, patient transfers, and patient repositioning tasks. In a single shift, a nurse is likely to lift thousands of pounds. This puts nursing personnel at unusually high risk for back injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDSs). Patient lifts and transfers (glossary) put nurses and other staff at high risk for injury. These tasks also can be dangerous for patients, if performed incorrectly. This course will discuss safe handling and movement of patients. Discussion will focus on the risks of manual patient handling, how to reduce these risks, the importance of patient assessment before a lift or transfer, and specific devices and techniques for patient lifts and transfers. After completing this course, the participant should be able to: List the risks of manual patient handling that impact nurse safety List appropriate types of equipment and devices that may be used for specific types of lifts and transfers to ensure nurse safety Specify effective ways of maintaining patient safety while moving and positioning patients Safer Patient Handling and Movement (CE) Nursing personnel are responsible for performing many patient lifts, patient transfers, and patient repositioning tasks. In a single shift, a nurse is likely to lift thousands of pounds. This puts nursing personnel at unusually high risk for back injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDSs). Patient lifts and transfers (glossary) put nurses and other staff at high risk for injury. These tasks also can be dangerous for patients, if performed incorrectly. This course will discuss safe handling and movement of patients. Discussion will focus on the risks of manual patient handling, how to reduce these risks, the importance of patient assessment before a lift or transfer, and specific devices and techniques for patient lifts and transfers. After completing this continuing education activity, the participant should be able to: List the risks of manual patient handling that impact nurse safety List appropriate types of equipment and devices that may be used for specific types of lifts and transfers to ensure nurse safety Specify effective ways of maintaining patient safety while moving and positioning patients Page 9 of 12
The purpose of a compliance program is to reduce the risk of misconduct in your facility. The Importance of Corporate Compliance and Compliance Programs This course will teach you how to do your part to: Support the compliance program Reduce the risk of misconduct You will learn about: The consequences of misconduct The laws and regulations that healthcare facilities must follow How a compliance program works Recognize the benefits of a compliance program List key laws and regulations for the healthcare industry Recognize the features of each law and the penalties for violating each List the parts of an effective compliance program Recognize the role of each part The Importance of Hand Hygiene Compliance According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), proper hand hygiene is the single most important way to stop the spread of infection. Unfortunately, compliance with hand hygiene guidelines is often poor. This course will teach you how to do your part in: Promoting proper hand hygiene Helping to prevent the spread of infection in your facility List important milestones in the history of hand hygiene Recognize why hand hygiene in the healthcare setting is so important Identify best practices for hand hygiene The Importance of Infection Control and Prevention You will learn about: The history of hand hygiene Why hand hygiene is so important How to keep your hands as clean and germ free as possible Approximately two million hospital patients develop healthcare associated infections (HAIs) each year. This is about 10% of all patients admitted to the hospital. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 99,000 patients die annually. Caring for patients with HAI costs billions of dollars each year. One of the most important safety priorities for all ambulatory care centers is reducing or preventing the spread of infection. Nurse and healthcare providers need to know the importance of infection control and prevention in order to help increase patient safety. This activity will discuss the importance of infection control, how infections spread, how to block the spread of infection, as well as the nurse s role and responsibility for infection control. After completing this course, the participant should be able to: Recognize the importance of infection control as it relates to patient safety. Identify how infections spread in ambulatory care centers, diminishing the safety of patients. Recognize how to block the spread of infection in ambulatory care centers in order to improve patient safety. List the nurse s responsibilities that will decrease the risk of infection to patients in the ambulatory care center environment. Page 10 of 12
The Importance of Infection Control and Prevention (CE) Approximately two million hospital patients develop healthcare associated infections (HAIs) each year. This is about 10% of all patients admitted to the hospital. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 99,000 patients die annually. Caring for patients with HAI costs billions of dollars each year. One of the most important safety priorities for all ambulatory care centers is reducing or preventing the spread of infection. Nurse and healthcare providers need to know the importance of infection control and prevention in order to help increase patient safety. This activity will discuss the importance of infection control, how infections spread, how to block the spread of infection, as well as the nurse s role and responsibility for infection control. After completing this continuing education activity, the participant should be able to: Recognize the importance of infection control as it relates to patient safety. Identify how infections spread in ambulatory care centers, diminishing the safety of patients. Recognize how to block the spread of infection in ambulatory care centers in order to improve patient safety. List the nurse s responsibilities that will decrease the risk of infection to patients in the ambulatory care center environment. Understanding Antibiotic Resistance Understanding Antibiotic Resistance (CE) Pathogenic bacteria have killed untold numbers. In modern times, bacterial illness claims fewer lives. This is because of the use of antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is a natural outcome of antibiotic use. We cannot prevent antibiotic resistance. However, we can slow the spread of bacterial resistance. This can be done by using antibiotics wisely. This course will educate nurses how to use antibiotics in a way that will help preserve their effectiveness. Pathogenic bacteria have killed untold numbers. In modern times, bacterial illness claims fewer lives. This is because of the use of antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is a natural outcome of antibiotic use. We cannot prevent antibiotic resistance. However, we can slow the spread of bacterial resistance. This can be done by using antibiotics wisely. This course will educate nurses how to use antibiotics in a way that will help preserve their effectiveness. After completing this course, the participant should be able to: Define how bacteria and antibiotics interact to put patient safety at risk. Explain the scope and impact of the problem of antibiotic resistance as it endangers patient safety. Identify how resistance develops, and how the use of antibiotics contributes to the emergence of resistance, thereby decreasing patient safety. Explain the best practices for the prudent, effective use of antibiotics that assist in improving patient safety. After completing this continuing education activity, the participant should be able to: Define how bacteria and antibiotics interact to put patient safety at risk. Explain the scope and impact of the problem of antibiotic resistance as it endangers patient safety. Identify how resistance develops, and how the use of antibiotics contributes to the emergence of resistance, thereby decreasing patient safety. Explain the best practices for the prudent, effective use of antibiotics that assist in improving patient safety. Page 11 of 12
Many healthcare providers use abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols when writing orders, taking notes, and documenting care. The delivery of safe patient care can be compromised if these shortcuts are Identify The Joint Commission recommendations related to At Risk or confusing or if their meaning can be easily misunderstood by other error prone drug terms. caregivers; this is especially true in regard to medication List At Risk abbreviations and symbols. administration. Identify safer terms to use in place of At Risk terms. Understanding Medication Terminology: Abbreviations and Symbols This course will help you and your ambulatory care center improve communication and protect patient safety. You will learn about: The danger of using abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols At Risk drug terms to avoid Safer alternative terms to use Page 12 of 12