Select a class below for a detailed description, curriculum and accreditation information
Single Classes
Class Author
Maureen Sullivan-Tevault
Maureen has over 30 years in Emergency and Trauma nursing, including nursing positions as the Emergency Department Manager, Director of Staff Education, Trauma Coordinator, Cardiology Nurse Navigator, and Stroke Program Manager. In addition, she has also been certified as both a BLS and ACLS instructor, and adjunct faculty for an LPN nursing program. She is a legal nurse consultant, working on personal injury, nursing negligence, and product liability cases. Maureen has written nursing articles for the following journals: Nursing Spectrum, ADVANCE nursing magazine, and The Journal of Emergency Care, Rescue, and Transportation. She also has a monthly diabetes column in the online journal, Health Triangle Magazine.
Read Maureen Sullivan-Tevault's Full Bio...
Class Accreditation
All states recognize our courses for accredited continuing nursing education, CNE, contact hours.
This course is accredited by the following boards:
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider # CEP 15467.
Provider approved by the AR, DC, FL, GA, SC, WV Boards of Nursing through CE Broker, CE Provider #: 50-13256.
Provider approved by the Florida Council of Dietetics and Nutrition.
What Others are Saying
| "I like the detailed information in any given subject." |
| C.C. LVN – Tyler, TX |
| "Very thorough! Every nurse should take this course!" |
| S.S. RN – Waverly, NE |
| "The ability to re-read very interesting facts. This class is great." |
| V.B. - Carlsbad, New Mexico |
| "Excellent content held my interest
" |
| E.B. RN - Princeton, Missouri |
| "Great class. very informational." |
| S.R. LPN - Las Vegas, NV |
Management of Norovirus Gastroenteritis in Post Acute Care Settings
Contact Hours: 3
Cost: $30.00
Norovirus is the predominant cause of acute gastroenteritis, causing both sporadic cases and outbreaks. It is estimated to be the causative agent for over 23 million gastroenteritis cases occurring every year in the U.S. Norovirus gastroenteritis infections commonly occur in healthcare settings. In fact, healthcare institutions, such as hospitals and nursing homes, are the most frequently reported settings for norovirus outbreaks in the United States and other industrialized countries.
Norovirus gastrointestinal infections can be particularly problematic in long-term care facilities. Due to the close proximity of living quarters, communal spaces, the reduced levels of personal hygiene and mobility of residents, along with the extreme contagious nature of the virus, norovirus can spread quickly in these types of facilities. Most long-term care facilities are populated by elderly residents and/or individuals who have significant underlying medical conditions. This makes them a susceptible and vulnerable group for norovirus infections. Due to these challenges, it is vitally important for long-term care facilities to implement measures and policies to prevent norovirus infections and take swift infection control actions if an outbreak is suspected.
This instructional course has been designed primarily for nurses and infection prevention and control practitioners working and caring for residents in long-term care facilities. However, other care providers such as epidemiologists, facility administrators, environmental services, and other long-term care staff members will find the course information useful. The course is designed to be applicable to various types of long-term care settings and follows the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest HICPAC Guideline for the Prevention of Norovirus.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
Describe specific challenges associated with norovirus outbreaks in post acute care facilities.
List the various methods for limiting the spread of norovirus through isolation, cohorting and contact precautions.
Explain methods for closing wards and transferring patients during outbreak events
Describe internal communication procedures during norovirus outbreaks.
Curriculum
Chapter 1: Norovirus in Healthcare Settings
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Viral Gastroenteritis Description
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Norovirus gastroenteritis infections are common in healthcare settings
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Burden to U.S. Healthcare System
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Importance of Infection Prevention and Control Measures
Chapter 2: Norovirus in Post-Acute Care Facilities
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Various Forms of Post-Acute Care Facilities
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Challenges Associated with Post-Acute Care Facilities
Chapter 3: About Norovirus
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Description
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When and Where Norovirus Gastroenteritis Infections Occur
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Symptoms
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Transmission
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Treatment
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At-Risk Populations
Chapter 4: Applicable Guidelines
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CDC Norovirus Guideline
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Key Issues
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CDC Norovirus Toolkit
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State Resources
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Resources Specific to Norovirus in Post-Acute Care Facilities
Chapter 5: Limiting the Spread of Norovirus
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Preventing Exposure to Diarrhea and Vomitus
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Room Assignments and Contact Precautions
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Staff Cohorting
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Duration Times for Isolation and Contact Precautions
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Personal Protective Equipment
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Limiting Patient Movement Within the Facility
Chapter 6: Closures and Transfers
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Closures
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Transfers
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Discharges to Home Settings
Chapter 7: Policies for Infected Staff Members
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Staff Risk of Infection
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Ill Staff Exclusion From Work
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Recovering Staff Suitable for Caring for Symptomatic Patients
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Non-essential Staff
Chapter 8: Hand Hygiene
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Promotion of Proper Hand Hygiene Practices
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Use of Soap and Running Water
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Resident Hand Hygiene
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Hand Sanitizers
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When To Wash Hands
Chapter 9: Food Handlers in Healthcare
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Food and Water as Source of Norovirus Transmission
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Food Handler Hand Hygiene
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Exclusion of Food Handlers Experiencing Gastrointestinal Symptoms
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Shared or Communal Foods
Chapter 10: Diagnostic Testing for Norovirus
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Laboratory Diagnostic Protocols
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Specimens Used for Testing
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Kaplan's Clinical and Epidemiological Criteria
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When is it an outbreak?
Chapter 11: Environmental Cleaning
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Need for Increased Cleaning During Norovirus Outbreaks
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Cleaning Sequence
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Disposable and Non-disposable Items
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Linens, Fabrics, Upholstered Items, Rugs
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Products for Cleaning and Disinfection
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Outside Contractors
Chapter 12: Visitor Policies
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Visitor Restrictions
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Screening
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Hand Hygiene and Contact Precautions
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Visitors Who May Be More Susceptible
Chapter 13: Surveillance and Regulatory Notification
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Surveillance to Evaluate Fluctuations in Norovirus Incidence
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Regulatory Notification
Chapter 14: Communication and Training
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Internal Facility Communication
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Contact Person
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Signage
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Training
Chapter 15: Resources