New Clinical Practice Guidelines for Clostridium difficile Infection in Adults

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America is offering access to the new
Clinical Practice Guidelines for Clostridium difficile Infection in Adults
SHEA/IDSA
ICHE May 2010

This guideline is designed to improve the diagnosis and management of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in adult patients. A case of CDI is defined by the presence of symptoms (usually diarrhea) and either a stool test positive for C. difficile toxins or toxigenic C. difficile, or colonoscopic or histopathologic findings revealing pseudomembranous colitis. In addition to diagnosis and management, recommended methods of infection control and environmental management of the pathogen are presented. The recommendations are based on the best available evidence and practices, as determined by a joint Expert Panel appointed by SHEA and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) (the SHEA‐IDSA Expert Panel). The use of these guidelines can be impacted by the size of the institution and the resources, both financial and laboratory, available in the particular clinical setting.

Free CE on Emotional Intelligence thru 12-31-10

Emotional Intelligence Helps RNs Work Smart

• Define emotional intelligence and its relevance to nursing.
• Discuss five components of emotional intelligence.
• Describe four strategies for developing emotional intelligence.

Grant Provider

This course has been sponsored by an educational grant from All About Staffing and may be taken free of charge as a gift to the nursing community until December 31, 2010.

* While participation in this educational activity is free to you, participant lists shall be made available to the sponsor of this module. By proceeding, you are agreeing to allow this organization to receive your demographic or survey information. If you do not want your demographic or survey information to be released to the sponsoring organization, you can take this course for $ 10.00 by clicking here.

CE on Malignant Hyperthermia thru 10-13-12

Malignant Hyperthermia
Available for $10.00 thru 10-13-12

• Identify patients at risk for malignant hyperthermia.
• List the signs and symptoms of malignant hyperthermia.
• Describe diagnosis and treatment of malignant hyperthermia.

Grant Provider:
This course has been sponsored by an educational grant from HCA North Texas

CE on Hand Hygiene and Antisepsis thru 4-30-12

Keep it Clean: Hand Hygiene and Antisepsis
Earn 1.0 credit for $10.00

• Explain the pros and cons of using gloves as personal protective equipment during patient care.
• Describe three natural features of skin that can support or hinder the transference and growth of microorganisms on the caregiver and patient.
• Explain how hand hygiene and skin antisepsis work in combination to prevent infection.

Grant Provider:

This course has been sponsored by an educational grant from HCA West Florida

Free CE on PTSD thru 3-16-11

As Disaster Lingers: PTSD in Adults

• Identify events that may lead to PTSD.
• Discuss the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD.
• Explain the importance of cross-cultural intervention and identify the strategies needed to provide culturally competent care to Haitians.

Grant Provider:

This course has been brought to you by an educational grant from Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future and Chamberlain College of Nursing and is a gift to the nursing community. It may be taken free of charge through March 16, 2011. * While participation in this educational activity is free to you, participant lists shall be made available to the sponsor of this module. By proceeding, you are agreeing to allow this organization to receive your demographic or survey information. If you do not want your demographic or survey information to be released to the sponsoring organization, you can take this course for $ 29.00 by clicking here.

MRSA found in 4% of all healthcare workers

According to Medscape Medical News, approximately 4% of healthcare workers tested positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a large screening effort, a new analysis reports.

Carlos Guerra, MD, from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, presented the findings here at the Fifth Decennial International Conference on Healthcare-Associated Infections 2010.

According to Kerri A. Thom, MD, MS, assistant professor of epidemiology and preventive medicine from the University of Maryland in Baltimore, other studies have shown a similar rate of MRSA carriage in healthcare workers.

Dr. Thom emphasized that all healthcare workers should practice Standard Precautions when caring for patients. "By following these guidelines, healthcare workers are protecting both themselves and their patients from the transmission of potential pathogens."

Optimizing Care for the Older Adult with Diabetes: Free CE thru 8-3-11

Optimizing Care of the Older Adult with Diabetes

• Discuss the prevalence of and risk factors for diabetes among older adults.
• Explain diagnosis and treatment goals of diabetes in older adults, identifying potentially complicating factors.
• Describe the management of diabetes in older adults, including special considerations for choosing pharmacologic therapies for this population.
• Review the potential complications of diabetes in older adults and describe the role of diabetes self-management education in minimizing complications.

Earn 1.5 contact hours free thru 8-3-11 via CE Medicus.

This program is supported by an educational grant from Novo Nordisk Inc.

Featured Library Book: A Practical Guide to Palliative Care

Our new addition to the book collection is A Practical Guide to Palliative Care by Jerry L. Old and Daniel L. Swagerty(2007). For a review, check out this article in JAMA.

Designed for easy use at the bedside, this book contains:
--Multiple bullet points
--Evidence-based approach to end of life care
--Tested practical information that is used in the field
--Easy-to-read tables covering such topics as pain medications, how to treat non-pain symptoms, determining who qualifies for hospice care and more
--Includes an "In a Nutshell" review in each chapter

If you wish to check this book out, you'll find it in the WB section of the book shelves, WB 310 P895 2007.

Related:
Featured Library Book: Difficult Conversations in Medicine

NIH Patient Education Resources in Spanish and Other Languages

The National Network/Libraries of Medicine Continental Chapter has compiled a list of National Institutes of Health publications in Spanish.

Most documents have links to an English version so you can understand what you are giving to the patient.

Topics include:

National Cancer Institute

Publications https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/ncipubs/ Links to several languages listed on this page including Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Chinese.

National Heart Lung Blood Institute

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/index.htm The "Selected Audience" section includes listing of publications available in Spanish and Asian languages

National Institute on Mental Health

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/spanish/index-publication-all-es.shtml Spanish Language Publications/Publicaciones en español

National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases

http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/spanish.htm Spanish Language Publications

Quick Clinical Information: UpToDate

If you need a basic overview of a disorder or disease, UpToDate will give you a textbook-like chapter. UpToDate has an editorial board of over 4,400 authors, editors, and peer reviewers who by write and continuously update over 8,300 topics addressing questions that arise in clinical practice. In addition to comprehensive presentation of the evidence, each topic offers practical, detailed, and evidence-based recommendations that clinicians can use at the point of care.

We have a subscription, and UpToDate is available on any networked pc within the hospital. Look for it in your bookmarks or favorites on the web, or go to: http://www.uptodate.com/online/
and click "accept" to accept the terms of use.

Free CE on Oral Care in the ICU and Preventing CAUTI thru 1/20/12

Oral Care in the ICU: Don’t Forget to Brush

Preventing Hospital-acquired Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections: Case Study

Perspectives in Nursing is offering 1.5 contact hours with the above articles thru 1-20-12.

Perspectives is sponsored by Dale Medical

Essential Nursing Resources

The Interagency Council on Information Resources in Nursing has published a list of the Essential Nursing Resources. The 25th edition of the ICIRN Essential Nursing Resources list (formerly Essential Nursing References) is presented as a resource for locating nursing information and for collection development. The list includes print and electronic sources to support nursing practice, education, administration, and research activities.

Some resources are freely accessible on the web. Others require a subscription. If you are taking classes, some of these resources are probably available through your college or university library.

Infant Adoption Training Initiative

Training Schedule
One and two day trainings are available in Philadelphia.
Next date is April 12th, followed by May 12th, and June 8th.

Continuing education units are available for nurses and social workers. Social Workers receive 13 and 6.5 hours in two and one day trainings respectively. Nurses receive 13.5 and 6.75 hours in two- and one-day trainings, respectively.

UIA training goals include:

• Develop an understanding of the adoption process
• Understand state and federal laws that govern the adoption process
• How social and cultural issues impact adoption
• Adolescent development and the adolescents attitudes toward adoption
• Non-directive counseling techniques
• Adoption resources and referrals

Frequently asked questions about adoption in Pennsylvania.

Patient Education Search Engine

Check out this custom search engine for Patient Education Handouts by David Rothman. This (recently re-created) Custom Search Engine searches authoritative and trusted consumer health information and patient education resources recommended by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and/or by CAPHIS (the Consumer and Patient Health Information Section of the Medical Library Association).

Consumer Health and Patient Education Information Search Engine