Ebola and other infectious diseases: Are healthcare workers prepared and trained

DOUGLAS, Wyo. - Feb. 6, 2015 - PRLog -- Since the first Ebola case touched the shores of the U.S. there has been a flurry of training information posted on the internet, in professional publications and videos about procedures to respond to infectious disease related incidents.

There is more to training than just reading something online, it is important to develop skills not just obtain information.  You may think you’ve covered all your bases with informational training products, but is a real emergency the right time to put that to the test?

When learning to perform task such as donning and doffing personal protective equipment, it’s important to have interactive training with two way communication, demonstrations and practical exercises. This allows students to make mistakes in a safe training environment instead of in a real situation.

In a real life infectious case scenario a single lapse in proper usage of personal protective equipment can lead to an infection in a healthcare worker; is it worth the risk?

In October 2014  the CDC stated that prior to working with Ebola patients, all healthcare workers involved in the care of Ebola patients must have received repeated training and have demonstrated competency in performing all Ebola-related infection control practices and procedures, and specifically in donning/doffing proper PPE.

This type of training has been made available in Wyoming through special funding from the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium. There are currently only two deliveries allocated for Wyoming. Please take advantage of this free training while the opportunity is available.

Personal Protective Measures for Biological Events (Free)

24 February, 2015 Cody WY

Enroll here: https://per320cody.eventbrite.com

26 February, 2015 Gillette WY

Enroll here:  https://per320gillette.eventbrite.com

Class Summary:

The Personal Protective Measures for Biological Events course is a one-day, eight hour course which includes an overview of the bio-threat, demonstrations of proper donning and doffing of personal protective equipment, and technical decontamination protocols. The course will also provide the learners with activities that include agility drills and practice skill sessions that include donning and doffing of PPE using the buddy system. The course will culminate with the learner's demonstrating the donning and doffing of PPE in a technical decontamination exercise that will include a self-assessment and instructor performance checklist with feedback

Objectives:

1. Given examples of biological agents, identify general characteristics of biological agents in accordance with Janes Chem-Bio Handbook and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

2. Given a requirement, identify personal protective equipment requirements in accordance with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (HM-0400)

3. Given a PPE Level C ensemble, identify components and characteristics of personal protective equipment level C in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

4. Given a Personal Protective Equipment Level C ensemble don and doff personal protective equipment Level C in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (HO-0003)

5. Given an incident, identify decontamination types in accordance with Guidelines for Mass Casualty Decontamination during a HAZMAT/Weapon of Mass Destruction Incident volumes I and II and the OSHA.

6. Given a Personal Protective Equipment Level C ensemble, don and doff personal protective equipment using technical decontamination procedures in accordance with manufacturers specifications. (HO)

Who Should Attend:

·         All health care personnel

·         Emergency Management Agency

·         Emergency Medical Services

·         Fire Service

·         Hazardous Material

·         Law Enforcement

Enrollment Point of Contact:

Russell Clark

Wyoming Homeland Security Training Program

307 358 1920

russell.clark@wyo.gov