Course Description

Scientists estimate that the likelihood of another novel pathogen turning into a worldwide pandemic grows each year. Preparedness is essential to ensure the safety of nurses, other health care workers, and patients. The devastation and loss that has come from health care employers’ failures to prepare for the Covid-19 pandemic cannot be repeated. But the reality is that many health care employers are not only failing to prepare; they are neglecting essential measures to prevent transmission of pathogens seen in health care facilities every day — from TB to MRSA, influenza, C diff, and more. Each day, one in 31 U.S. patients contracts at least one infection associated with their health care. Health care-associated infections rose significantly early in the Covid-19 pandemic and rates continue to be high. Nurses and other health care workers are also at risk — nearly seven in ten nurses have sustained at least one infection at work.

This class will apply the scientific foundation for infection prevention to nurses’ workplaces. We will discuss the steps that need to be taken to ensure that health care facilities are prepared to protect nurses and patients from known pathogens and the next pandemic.

Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Describe the importance of pandemic preparedness.
• Apply scientific updates on infectious disease transmission modes to infection prevention measures needed in health care facilities.
• Discuss steps that nurses can take to advocate for safer patient care conditions.

Instructors

Rocelyn de Leon-Minch and/or Sarah Swinnerton and/or Jane Thomason

Course Information

This will be a 3-hour online class via Zoom for 3 hours of continuing education credits.

After registering, you will receive an invitation to the Zoom class via email. It is important that you respond to the invitation and register for the Zoom class prior to the day of the class.

Registrations will close for these classes at 9am on the prior business day.

Dates

• Tuesday, January 28 9 am - 12 pm PT/12 - 3 pm ET
• Friday, January 31 12 - 3 pm PT/3 - 6 pm ET
• Monday, February 3 10 am - 1 pm PT/1 - 4 pm ET
• Thursday, February 6 1 - 4 pm PT/4 - 7 pm ET
• Wednesday, February 12 9 am - 12 pm PT/12 - 3 pm ET
• Tuesday, February 25 9 am - 12 pm PT/12 - 3 pm ET
• Thursday, February 27 1 - 4 pm PT/4 - 7 pm ET
• Friday, March 14 10 am - 1 pm PT/1 - 4 pm ET