Nursing CE Series: Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic (Online Learning)

CDC officials say that it's a certainty that pandemic influenza will return to the United States.

Influenza is a common infectious disease, killing approximately 20,000 U. S. residents every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The emergence of novel influenza viruses (viruses that have either never previously infected humans or have not infected humans in a very long time; novel viruses may or may not be related to other existing virus strains) led to three worldwide pandemics in 1918, 1957, and 1968, resulting in more than 600,000 deaths in the United States.

A pandemic occurs when a virus changes significantly and unexpectedly, resulting in a new strain to which few people have immunity. An influenza pandemic is a unique, potentially devastating event that cannot be ignored or underestimated by U.S. hospitals and public health officials.

The need for preparedness for a pandemic is underscored by several factors: the fact that there hasn't been one in 36 years; the speed at which a disease can travel around the world; and the emergence of viruses such as the Asian bird flu that could be passed from animals to people. The consequences of a pandemic can only be lessened by developing comprehensive preparedness plans that spell out surveillance, isolation, and vaccination strategies.

The online learning course, Nursing CE Series: Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic, provides nursing professionals with an overview of the steps hospitals and health officials must take to prepare and respond to an influenza pandemic.

Intended audience

• Nurses and nurse managers at the unit and department level
• All clinical supervisors charged with IC training and monitoring

Upon completion of the course Nursing CE Series: Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic, learners will be able to:

• Identify six key ways surveillance impacts pandemic preparedness
• Describe four actions for the pre-pandemic period recommended by GrIPPE
• Describe at least five reasons why an influenza pandemic is unlike any other public health emergency
• Identify five benefits of planning now for the next pandemic
• Describe the methodology recommended to overcome challenges to vaccination

Introduction

• CDC estimations
• Preparedness
• GrIPPE findings
• State and local planning
• Pre-pandemic actions
• HHS planning guide
• The danger of an influenza pandemic
• Benefits of planning

Stages of a pandemic

• Phases and definitions
• Canadian pandemic flu plan
• Three types of activities covered
• Different phases of pandemics

Isolation

• Be prepared for surge capacity during outbreaks
• Long-term events

Vaccination

• Evolution
• Challenges to vaccination
• Target groups

Priority Activities

• During the pre-pandemic period
• During the novel virus alert
• During the pandemic alert
• During the pandemic imminent stage

Earn One Nursing Contact Hour!

HCPro, Inc. is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. With Nursing CE Series: Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic, you'll also have the opportunity to earn one nursing contact hour.

If you have 50 or more staff to train, you are eligible for discounts and FREE trial access to any course. E-mail Dave Miller at davemiller@hcpro.com or call Dave toll-free at 888/209-6554 to learn more. Be sure to let Dave know your name, organization, address, and phone number (optional). Ask Dave about our multi-year or multi-library discount plans!

This course is part of HCProfessor's™ Nursing CE Series Online Learning Series

For more information on other courses in the series, click on the Online Learning section of this Web site. Or call Dave Miller toll free at 888/209-6554, or e-mail Dave. You can customize any online learning course to reflect your own policies and procedures.

Why train your staff online?

• The most up-to-date content on nursing issues
• Easy access to education—the courses can be taken anywhere there is a computer!
• Exams with instant test scores
• Case studies
• Test until success: The option of reviewing topics and re-taking taking the exam as often as you need
• Certificate of completion
• Student course history and documentation of training
• Discussion groups
• Note-taking and bookmark options
• Internet resources on nursing guidelines and regulations
• Reference materials and recommendations on how to progress to the next step in your nursing courses

Why train online with HCProfessor^TM?

HCPro's award-winning journalists, educators, and consultants have fueled our reputation for producing excellent, accurate, easy-to-understand training on complex regulatory topics for healthcare professionals nationwide. Our trusted resources include the newsletter Briefings on Infection Control.

When you choose to learn online with HCPro, you'll benefit from: