Courses by Credit Type

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) is the go-to treatment for gallstones and other gallbladder diseases. This learning activity will discuss the incidence and prevalence of symptomatic gallstones, the key surgical techniques established to ensure safe gallbladder removal, and the critical safety aspects and activities for laparoscopic instrument reprocessing and surgical supplies—such as cystic duct clips—that help every LC patient avoid complications and experience an optimal postoperative outcome.

Guidelines for the care and maintenance of surgical instruments are provided, along with recommendations for the proper handling of these items. Methods for the decontamination, sterilization, and high-level disinfection of surgical instruments are discussed in detail.

Because there are various types of detergents available today, all personnel involved in the care and cleaning of surgical instruments must be knowledgeable about these agents and the proper instrument cleaning process. This continuing education activity will provide a review of the key considerations related to the selection and use of detergents and disinfectants for instrument cleaning.

A collaborative effort and trust between OR and SPD staff is paramount to effective instrument care and infection control. Strategies for effective communication between departments and opportunities for improved relationships between OR and SPD staff will be discussed to help promote safe and efficient patient care.

As more elective procedures are shifting to ambulatory surgery and endoscopy centers, these facilities are tasked with reprocessing an increasing volume of reusable medical devices, while adhering to the same regulations and standards as larger healthcare facilities. This program discusses how to meet these challenges and ensure devices are properly cleaned and disinfected.

Ultrasound probes are used in nearly all departments in clinical settings including point of care situations such as the bedside and remote clinics. This continuing education covers best practices to prevent the transmission of infection.

This educational activity will review the essential concepts and role of perioperative personnel in IUSS as it applies to surgical instruments. Industry leading standards and guidelines will be discussed and key practices for adherence to evidence-based practices will be explained.

According to governing and recommending entities, frequent monitoring and timely feedback provides the best information to help drive and improve outcomes. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of various compliance monitoring methods, and implementing the most compatible method, can assist organizations with acquiring sustained improvement.

During endoscopic procedures, video resolution and picture quality are critical for the surgeon to adequately examine the surgical area and identify abnormal tissue. This ebook reviews the evolution of endoscopic surgical instruments and the benefits of advanced technology that allow the healthcare team to provide efficient care to patients thereby reducing costs and improving outcomes.

This ebook reviews sterility assurance with a focus on packaging. It includes a brief overview of the impact of surgical site infections, key criteria for the appropriate selection and use of packaging materials, types of sterilization wraps, and the various professional guidelines for best practices related to packaging.

This continuing education activity will describe the structural differences between rigid and flexible endoscopes as well as surgical uses for both types of endoscopes. Additionally, the steps for cleaning and the Spaulding Classification System will be discussed as a basis for determining the appropriate sterilization method for flexible and rigid endoscopes.

The purpose of this continuing education activity is to provide a review of the clinical considerations regarding the appropriate selection and use of facial protection devices in healthcare practice settings. It provides an overview of the health hazards inherent to the general healthcare and perioperative environment, criteria for appropriate selection and use of facial protection devices, and relevant regulations and recommendations for manufacture and use.

This continuing education activity provides a brief overview of the clinical impact and economic burden of SSIs today. The key characteristics of sterilization wrap materials that help reduce the risk for SSIs, with a focus on nonwoven double layer sterilization wrap, including test data that should be obtained from the manufacturer, will be reviewed.

The operating room has traditionally been one of the highest revenue generators for healthcare organizations. This continuing education activity will provide the perioperative nurse with information on ways to improve inventory management in the operating room. It will review the challenges and opportunities associated with effective supply management, and provide specific strategies on product standardization, inventory management and reduction, reduction of waste, data analysis, and improved physician preference card management.