About the Course

This course was written for healthcare professionals in New York state to “Assure that licensed, registered, or certified health professionals understand how bloodborne pathogens may be transmitted in the work environment: patient to healthcare worker, healthcare worker to patient, and patient to patient” (New York State Department of Health [NYSDOH], 2018a). This includes the following:

• Apply current scientifically accepted infection prevention and control principles as appropriate for the specific work environment.
• Minimize opportunity for transmission of pathogens to patients and healthcare workers.
• Familiarize professionals with the law requiring this training and the professional misconduct charges that may be applicable for not complying with the law. (NYSDOH, 2018a).

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

• Provide examples of scientifically accepted practices for infection prevention and control of airborne, droplet, and bloodborne pathogens.
• Examine the types of healthcare acquired infectious disease and transmission to apply workplace practices to prevent the spread of infection.
• Choose work practice controls designed to eliminate transmission of bloodborne pathogens when using sharp instruments and select indicated post-exposure prophylaxis. 
• Interpret indicators and situations that require the selection of barriers and personal protective equipment to prevent exposure and transmission of potentially infectious material.
• Determine the health professional’s responsibility for providing a safe patient care environment in healthcare settings, including leadership roles, according to New York law.
• Examine the New York State Sepsis Improvement Initiative to interpret early signs and symptoms of sepsis.
• Analyze healthcare-associated disease transmission specific to Tier 1-3 organisms and demonstrate work practices, barriers, and PPE equipment for effective infection control.

About the Authors

Deborah Converse, MA, NBCT, has been a National Board Certified educator, trainer, and assessor for 20 years and has written courses for state and national recertification in the healthcare field for 10 years. She has served on State Board of Education writing teams in Florida and Hawaii to develop state educational standards and comprehensive exams, along with assisting with student training and evaluation at the university level. As a trainer and evaluator, Ms. Converse developed mentoring programs to enhance skills for best practice within healthcare and educational organizations.

Adrianne E. Avillion, DEd, RN, is an accomplished nursing professional development specialist and healthcare author. She earned a doctoral degree in adult education and an MS in nursing from Penn State University, and a BSN from Bloomsburg University. Dr. Avillion has held a variety of nursing positions as a staff nurse in critical care and physical medicine and rehabilitation settings, as well as numerous leadership roles in professional development. She has published extensively and is a frequent presenter at conferences and conventions devoted to the specialty of continuing education and nursing professional development. Dr. Avillion owns and is the CEO of Strategic Nursing Professional Development, a business that specializes in continuing education for healthcare professionals and consulting services in nursing professional development

How to Receive Credit:

• Read the entire course online or in print.
• Depending on your state requirements you will be asked to:
• Complete a mandatory test (a passing score of 75 percent is required). Test questions link content to learning objectives as a method to enhance individualized learning and material retention.
• Provide required personal information and payment information.
• Complete the mandatory Course Evaluation.
• Print your Certificate of Completion.

Disclosures
Resolution of Conflict of Interest
The contributors to this course have no conflicts of interest relative to its content. Colibri Healthcare, LLC implemented mechanisms prior to the planning and implementation of the continuing education activity to identify and resolve conflicts of interest for all individuals in a position to control content of the course activity.

Sponsorship/Commercial Support and Non-Endorsement
It is the policy of Colibri Healthcare, LLC not to accept commercial support. Furthermore, commercial interests are prohibited from distributing or providing access to this activity to learners.

Disclaimer
The information provided in this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition.
©2020: All Rights Reserved. Materials may not be reproduced without the expressed written permission or consent of Colibri Healthcare, LLC. The materials presented in this course are meant to provide the consumer with general information on the topics covered. The information provided was prepared by professionals with practical knowledge of the areas covered. It is not meant to provide medical, legal, or professional advice. Colibri Healthcare, LLC recommends that you consult a medical, legal, or professional services expert licensed in your state. Colibri Healthcare, LLC has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that all content provided in this course is accurate and up to date at the time of printing, but does not represent or warrant that it will apply to your situation or circumstances and assumes no liability from reliance on these materials. Quotes are collected from customer feedback surveys. The models are intended to be representative and not actual customers.

Course Verification
All individuals involved have disclosed that they have no significant financial or other conflicts of interest pertaining to this course. Likewise, and in compliance with California Assembly Bill No. 241, every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the content in this course is balanced and unbiased.

Course ID: 43929