As more becomes known about the coronavirus and how it spreads, online providers are rolling out additional training resources meant to buttress infection prevention efforts.
Talent management firm HealthcareSource is partnering with training platform Amplifire to distribute its Infection Prevention and Control Essentials – Rapid Refresher course to healthcare organizations. The course was created in collaboration with the ECRI institute and leading academic institutions, and identifies known areas of PPE misuse and addresses the consequences of shortages.
According to a 2018 study, 73% of caregivers failed to take appropriate precautions against infectious agent transmission. The course should help lessen exposure, and it provides effective equipment workarounds when standard supplies are no longer available.
“As devoted as our caregivers are, we cannot simply trust that they have the right knowledge to protect themselves and the patients with whom they interact while dealing with COVID-19,” said Amplifire CEO Bob Burgin. “By quickly validating and refreshing critical knowledge, healthcare providers and frontline staff will have greater confidence and competence at this critical time.”
Meanwhile, Healthcare Academy has opened access to its COVID-19 resources, including “Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Interim Guidance for Healthcare Facilities.” It is free and will be updated with the latest information over the weeks ahead.
The course features links, policy templates, checklists and resources based on clinical guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It will help staff:
• Identify symptoms of COVID-19
• Develop strategies to prevent spread in long-term care settings
• Implement control measures when coronavirus has been identified in their healthcare setting
TEAM TSI also has put together an open training on COVID-19 PPE use and hand washing.
The training is available here, with additional materials such as a webinar, hand-outs and downloadable files posted here.
Education for frontline staff
Medline University, in partnership with HealthStream, is offering multiple resources to help frontline healthcare workers. Those courses are designed to educate staff on current guidelines for infection control and precautions for airborne pathogens, best practices for using personal protective equipment and maintaining proper hand hygiene.
“Depending on the type of personal protective equipment being used, the process for donning and doffing can differ, so you want to understand the process for your specific PPE and you want to make sure you are completely covered to ensure your protection,” said Rosie Lyles, MD, director of clinical affairs at Medline.
Medline also developed a COVID-19 Toolkit to provide healthcare organizations with useful information to maintain a safe and healthy workplace. The toolkit features links to information and resources as well as access to printable posters that facilities can easily share to reinforce best practices and keep infection prevention top of mind.
Free courses
Encompass Group’s CE course offerings are designed, in part, to help skilled nursing caregivers keep up with CTE requirements even with many in-person training and conference opportunities canceled.
Encompass Clinical Resources Director Kristy Warren, RN, is leading free for-credit courses on topics ranging from deep vein thrombosis prevention to increasinging patient and healthcare provider safety to maintaining skin integrity.
And Relias has its own free digital toolkit — How to Prepare for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Influenza: Training & Resources — containing unlimited access to courses and fact-driven information regarding COVID-19 preparedness and prevention.
The free materials can be shared with colleagues, friends and family members.
