NOTE: Contact credit hours not valid in the state of Iowa

Course Instructions
1. Select a course
2. Complete registration and billing information
3.  Study the material
4. Pass the test (80% or better score)
5. Print your certificate

ICIC-1110: A Three-Phase Perioperative Oral Care Protocol with Oral Care System Containing Chlorhexidine Gluconate and Ventilator Bundle Reduces VAP in Cardiac Surgery Patients

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common complication of mechanical ventilation. Between 10 percent and 20 percent of patients who are intubated and receive mechanical ventilation develop VAP. The incidence is related to the duration of mechanical ventilation, with patients who are intubated more than 72 hours demonstrating incidence rates near 20 percent. This high incidence rate is of particular concern because the mortality rate is doubled in critically ill patients who develop VAP. In ICU patients of a private community teaching hospital, ventilated patients with VAP had mortality rates of 45.5 percent compared with 32.2 percent in ventilated patients without VAP.

ICDD-1109: Clostridium Difficile: A Hard Bug to Beat

This article will identify two states of Clostridium difficile and describe the effects of each state on an infected patient, as well as describe methods of preventing an outbreak of C. difficile and the current recommendation for C. difficile disease in mild, moderate and severe cases.

ICST-1109: Contact Precautions: No Room for Error

This article will review the history of hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE) in the patient-care setting, discuss the clinical evidence regarding the utility of wearing PPE outside of the operating room, and consider the consequences of non-compliance with Contact Precautions.

ICIC-1109: Technology and Practice: Collaboration for Successful Positive Patient Outcomes

Central venous catheter infections are common and deadly. Approximately 10 percent of patients who have central venous catheters will experience major complications, and mortality from related infections ranges from 2 percent to 35 percent. Learn about catheter-related bloodstream infections, their causes and treatments.

ICEH-1109: Operating Rooms Big and Small Experiment With Training Techniques

Continuing education choices for today's operating room staff are more plentiful than ever. Learn about the use of new media in education, and best practices for conveying information in a fresh way that will stick with the employee.

ICIC-1109: Oral Care is Critical Care

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is the second most frequent healthcare-associated infection occurring to patients hospitalized in acute-care facilities. Being on a mechanical ventilator places patients at greatest risk for developing this lung infection (ventilator-associated pneumonia-VAP) as well as doubling their likelihood of death while in the hospital. Comprehensive oral care, along with other patient care interventions in the VAP prevention bundle, has been identified as significantly protecting patients from developing this lethal complication. This educational program will review the risk factors and consequences of HAP and VAP; identify the Pathway to Pneumonia in the hospitalized patient; describe the role of the oral environment in the development of HAP/VAP and review recommended oral care interventions and studies which examine the current state of oral care practice.