Webinars – Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention & Control, Training and Technical Assistance (ARCIPC)

The Surge of Congenital Syphilis in Alabama: Exploring Reasons and Prevention Strategies (December 4, 2024 at 12:00pm CT)

Congenital Syphilis is preventable; However, Alabama continues to experience a record notable increase in congenital syphilis cases since 2018. Pregnant women with syphilis can transmit the infection to their unborn baby. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Untreated syphilis during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, low birth weight, hydrops fetalis, or infant death shortly after birth. Effective prevention of congenital syphilis depends on early detection of syphilis in pregnant women and adequate treatment at least 30 days before delivery.

Learning objectives:

Identify the various missed opportunities for congenital syphilis prevention in Alabama.
Establish prenatal syphilis testing and adequate treatment for syphilis in pregnant women and their partners as standard of care.
Collaborate with the Alabama Department of Public Health to enforce CS prevention efforts.

This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control and cosponsored by the Alabama Public Health Training Network at the Alabama Department of Public Health part of the Region IV Public Health Training Center, the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety, and the Alabama Statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC).

The Deep South Center for OH&S is an approved provider of continuing education units for nurses by the AL Board of Nursing (Provider ABNP0420 Expiration Date 7/10/2025) and has awarded this program 1.2 ABN CEUs. All other professionals awarded .1 CEUs.

Dr. Agnes Oberkor, DrPH, MPH, MSN, CRNP-PC

Agnes Oberkor, DrPH, MPH, MSN, CRNP-PC, is the congenital syphilis coordinator, clinical consultant for sexually transmitted infections, and the lead trainer of the Alabama Department of Public Health Sexually Transmitted Disease Control and prevention. She is a board-certified registered nurse practitioner and a registered nurse. Dr. Oberkor’s primary interests are program improvement, training clinical staff in STD patient management, and writing clinic protocols. She is particularly interested in methods for understanding healthcare providers’ knowledge in STD prevention, especially syphilis in pregnant women and congenital syphilis. Dr. Oberkor holds a BSN from Auburn University, Montgomery, an MSN and MPH from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and a Dr.PH in Health Advocacy and Leadership from Capella University, Minneapolis, MN. Her research was on quality improvement in public health programs. She coordinated the Expedited Partner Therapy policy and got approval for ADPH clinicians in 2014 and for all healthcare providers in 2024. Dr. Oberkor received the NCSD Public Health Policy Academy training in 2016.

Registration

Climate Change Impacts on Vector Borne Diseases (October 23, 2024 at 11:00am CT)

In this webinar Dr. Luis Chaves will present results from his research on Malaria, Leishmaniasis and other vector-borne diseases that have illustrated the importance of climate change to understand emerging ecological and epidemiological patterns on the transmission of vector-borne diseases.

Learning objectives:

Recognize the importance of Global Climatic Phenomena like the El Ni~no Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole and their teleconnections for the transmission of vector-borne diseases.
Recognize that impacts of climate change on vector-borne disease transmission are mediated by impacts of changing environments on the abundance of insect vectors, but also on the relationship between insects and pathogens.
Understand that impacts of climate change on vector-borne diseases are conditioned by the dominant social conditions of locations where transmission occurs.

This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control and cosponsored by the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety, the Alabama Statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC), and the Region IV Public Health Training Center.

Dr. Luis Chaves, Ph.D

Luis Fernando Chaves (Ph.D. Michigan 2008 in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) is an associate professor in the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington Department of Environmental and Occupational Health. He has been studying insect vectors and the diseases they transmit since he was an undergraduate in Venezuela, and he has published extensively on the ecology of insect vectors, their relationship to transmission of pathogens and the response of vector-borne diseases to climate change. Dr. Chaves has directed research projects in Costa Rica, Panamá, USA, Venezuela and Japan, and he has collaborated in projects based in Canada, Brazil, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Taiwan, Korea, Vanuatu and Kenya, among other places, while holding academic and/or government positions in the US, Japan, Panama and Costa Rica.

Evaluation

COVID Vaccine for the 2024 – 2025 Season (October 1, 2024 at 12:00pm CT)

In this webinar, Dr. Suzanne Judd, Director of the Lister Hill Center for Health Policy and Professor and Interim Chair in the Department of Health Behavior at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, will cover the new COVID vaccine for 2024. We will discuss the mechanism of action for this vaccine, current recommendations for who should receive the vaccine, and the role of vaccination in protecting those who may be more susceptible to severe infection. This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control.

Learning objectives:

Describe the purpose of vaccines
Compare the current COVID vaccine to previous vaccines
Describe different vaccine schedules by age and comorbid conditions

This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control and cosponsored by the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety, the Alabama Public Health Training Network at the Alabama Department of Public Health part of the Region IV Public Health Training Center, and the Alabama Statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC).

Dr. Suzanne Judd, Ph.D

Dr. Suzanne Judd is an investigator with the ARC IPC. She is also the Director of the Lister Hill Center for Health Policy and a Professor and Interim Chair in the Department of Health Behavior at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health. She received her PhD in Nutrition Sciences from Emory University where she led two vitamin D clinical trials. Dr. Judd is multiple principal investigator on both the REGARDS and RURAL cohort studies which are large NIH funded epidemiological cohort studies seeking to understand disparities in chronic disease in the United States. Her experience in the U.S. provided a platform to collaborate with European cohort studies in France through the Fulbright Scholar Program. Her unique combination of training in engineering, epidemiology and nutrition as well as industrial experience have provided a solid foundation to guide her research, mentorship, collaboration and public health communication.

Evaluation

MDRO Webinar Series Double Feature: Communicating Critical Infection Prevention Information Among Key Stakeholders to Improve Resident Outcomes & The Fall of Antimicrobials and the Importance of Antimicrobial Stewardship (July 10, 2024 at 1-2:15pm CT)

During this 1.25-hour webinar hosted by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control, two speakers will delve into distinct topics. This session marks the culmination of the ARC IPC’s MRDO webinar series, serving as its sixth and final installment.

In the first segment, Ms. Amy Ward will deliver a presentation titled “Communicating Critical Infection Prevention Information Among Key Stakeholders to Improve Resident Outcomes.” During this session, learners will understand how to identify key stakeholders, both internal and external to their organization. They will develop knowledge of what, when, and with whom to communicate. Finally, standardized communication tools will be shared.

In the second segment, Dr. Spencer Durham will present “The Decline of Antimicrobials and the Significance of Antimicrobial Stewardship.” The incidence of infections due to multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) is increasing at an alarming rate on a worldwide scale. In the United States alone, it is estimated that more than 2.8 million infections occur each year due to antimicrobial-resistant organisms. Additionally, the advent of new antimicrobial agents with novel mechanisms of action has been stalled for many years, making the preservation of existing antimicrobials of utmost importance. The provision of appropriate antimicrobial stewardship is the best defense currently available to decrease antimicrobial resistance and preserve existing antimicrobial agents.

The webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control and cosponsored by the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety, and the Alabama Statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC).

“Communicating critical infection prevention information among key stakeholders to improve resident outcomes” learning objectives:

Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
Utilize standardized tools to structure communications
Understand key infection prevention information to communicate

“The Fall of Antimicrobials and the Importance of Antimicrobial Stewardship” learning objectives:

Recognize the role of antimicrobials in the development of pathogen resistance over time
Define antimicrobial stewardship
Identify how appropriate antimicrobial stewardship helps to hinder the development of antimicrobial resistance

The Deep South Center for OH&S is an approved provider of continuing education units for nurses by the AL Board of Nursing (Provider ABNP0420 Expiration Date 7/10/2025) and has awarded this program 1.5 ABN CEUs. All other professionals awarded .15 CEUs, SW awarded 1.5 CEUs.

Amy Ward, MS, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC

Patient Safety Manager, Alliant Health Solutions

Amy Ward is the Patient Safety Manager with Alliant Health Solutions. She is a registered nurse with a diverse background in nursing, microbiology, epidemiology and infection control. She is passionate about leading and mentoring new and future infection preventionists in their career paths and assisting them in reducing healthcare-associated infections across the continuum of care. Amy enjoys spending time with family, biking, reading, camping and running.

Spencer H. Durham, Pharm.D., FCCP, BCPS, BCIDP

Associate Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy

Spencer H. Durham, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCIDP is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and also serves as the Director of Alumni & Professional Affairs with the Harrison College of Pharmacy. Originally from Arab, Alabama, he completed his pre-pharmacy coursework at Auburn University and graduated with his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Harrison College of Pharmacy in 2007. He went on to complete an ASHP-accredited post-graduate residency at Children’s Health System in Birmingham, Alabama in 2008. Dr. Durham has published more than 20 peer-reviewed articles in respected journals and several book chapters. He is an active speaker each year at national, state, and local conferences, where he educates healthcare professionals on topics related to infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship.

Evaluation

The Role of Screening Test for Early Identification of Patients at Risk for Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms in Healthcare Settings (June 20, 2024 at 12pm CT)

Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health threat and early identification of patients at risk for multidrug resistant organism (MDRO) infection is crucial to prevent the spread of MDROs. This webinar will describe the effectiveness and benefits of implementing a screening strategy to detect MDRO carriers in healthcare settings.

Define the types of screening available to detect different MDRO organisms
Describe the benefits of developing a screening strategy to identify MDRO carriers

The Deep South Center for OH&S is an approved provider of continuing education units for nurses by the AL Board of Nursing (Provider ABNP0420 Expiration Date 6/20/2025) and has awarded this program 1.2 ABN CEUs. All other professionals awarded .1 CEUs, SW awarded 1.0 CEUs.

Evaluation

Speaker

Rachael Lee, M.D., MSPH, is an assistant professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases, healthcare epidemiologist for the UAB Health System, Birmingham VA Medical Center Associate Healthcare Epidemiologist. Dr. Lee completed medical school at UAB School of Medicine, residency at UAB in Internal Medicine, and fellowship at UAB in Infectious Disease Quality and Patient Safety. Dr. Lee joined the UAB Division of Infectious Diseases at UAB in 2016 and is currently an Associate Professor. In her role as UAB Chief Healthcare Epidemiologist and in this role, she utilizes evidence based medicine to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections. Her research focuses on multi-drug resistant pathogens as they relate to infection control. Dr. Lee is an expert in all things infectious disease related, ranging from the spread of diseases like the flu, to infection prevention and control.

Reporting Infectious Diseases & Outbreaks to the Alabama Department of Public Health (May 23, 2024 at 1pm CT)

This presentation will provide an overview of the reportable diseases and conditions required to be reported to the Infectious Diseases & Outbreaks (ID&O) Division within the Bureau of Communicable Diseases at the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Review the Infectious Diseases & Outbreaks Division (ID&O) Notifiable Diseases Rules
Discuss who should report, how to report, and when to report outbreaks and reportable diseases/conditions.
Review frequently asked questions from required reporters.

The Deep South Center for OH&S is an approved provider of continuing education units for nurses by the AL Board of Nursing (Provider ABNP0420 Expiration Date 12/22/2025) and has awarded this program 1.2 ABN CEUs. All other professionals awarded .1 CEUs, SW awarded 1.0 CEUs.

SPEAKERS

Toni Richie, RN

Northern District ID&O Nurse Supervisor, Alabama Department of Public Health, Emerging Infectious Disease Unit Infectious Diseases & Outbreaks Division Bureau of Communicable Disease

Tina Norwood, RN

I am a RN and have worked for ADPH for 29 years. I have worked with Bureau of Communicable Disease in Infectious Disease and Outbreak division for the past 12 years. I currently serve as ID&O Nurse SV for the Southwestern District.

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Additional Resources

Strategies to Prevent the Spread of MDROs and the Application of Transmission-based Precautions (May 2, 2024 at 12pm CT)

This session will highlight key points from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) and isolation precautions. In addition, when and how to apply transmission-based precautions and enhanced barrier precautions, including patient placement will be discussed. Session participants will also learn what needs to be considered when cohorting patients/residents that may be infected or colonized with a MDRO. This webinar is the 4^th webinar which is part of our MDRO Webinar Series.

To identify strategies to prevent the spread of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) in the healthcare setting.
To describe CDC’s transmission-based precautions and enhanced barrier precautions and when to apply them.
To discuss guidance for patient/resident placement.

A.C. Burke, MA, CIC

Vice President of Healthcare Quality,RB Health Partners, Inc

A.C. Burke has been working with RB Health Partners, Inc. since 2016 and has over 22 years of experience working in public health and healthcare. A.C. worked for the Florida Department of Health for 15 years; 5 of those years she served as the Healthcare-associated Infection Prevention Program Manager. She later was the Director of Infection Prevention for Mayo Clinic Florida. In her current role, she consults with long-term care facilities on infection prevention and control policies, procedures, and practices, and provides training to nursing homes and at conferences, including the 17-hour Nursing Home Infection Prevention Program (NIPP) Nipping Infections in the Bud. NIPP was created to meet the CMS infection prevention training required for a facility team member to be recognized as the designated Infection Prevention Control Official (IPCO). A.C. is nationally recognized in her field and is the primary author of this program. A.C. holds a master’s degree in health management and is nationally Board Certified in Infection Control (CIC) by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. She is currently the chair of Florida Health Care Association’s Infection Prevention Council which was created to support Florida’s nursing homes in building and sustaining infection prevention and antibiotic stewardship programs that meet national standards. She works with clients to understand and implement national guidelines and best practices and supports program implementation by creating and delivering education materials, tools, and training.

Evalulation

Legionella Prevention and Water System Management in the Nursing Home (April 23, 2024 at 12pm CT)

Legionella and other waterborne pathogens have been associated with outbreaks in the nursing home setting causing infections in residents that may lead to severe illness or death. This session will discuss factors that contribute to contaminated water sources and how this can lead to resident infections. CMS now requires nursing homes to have water management plans and this session will discuss CDC’s guidance for developing an effective water management program to not only meet this requirement but also help ensure the safety of nursing home residents.. This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control and cosponsored by the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety, and the Alabama Statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC).

The Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators has reviewed and approved this program 1.0 NHA CEs for licensed nursing home administrators in the State of Alabama.

A.C. Burke, MA, CIC

Vice President of Healthcare Quality,RB Health Partners, Inc

Evaluation

Beyond the Basics – Cleaning & Disinfection to Mitigate the Spread of Infectious Diseases including MDROs for Healthcare Facilities (April 11, 2024 at 12pm CST/1PM EST)

This webinar is designed to help the infection preventionist take their cleaning and disinfection program to the next level. Efficient and effective evaluation of cleaning and disinfection of patient/resident rooms and use of supplemental disinfection strategies can mitigate the potential impact of the healthcare environment on the spreading of infectious pathogens, including MDROs. Webinar participants will learn about the pros and cons of different methods for evaluation of cleaning and disinfection practices, impact of how disinfectants are applied to surfaces, and the pros and cons of supplemental strategies for enhancing disinfection. This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control and cosponsored by the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety, and the Alabama Statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC).

A.C. Burke, MA, CIC

Vice President of Healthcare Quality,RB Health Partners, Inc

Evaluation LInk

Yes: Having a Robust Hand Hygiene Program is Still Important (March 12, 2024, 12:00pm CT)

Hand hygiene has been the cornerstone of a strong infection prevention program for years. However, creating a robust hand hygiene program is not as simple as it sounds. This presentation will explain why every healthcare facility needs a hand hygiene program and identify the key elements that are needed. We will review what should be included in the audit, who should perform the audits, how to educate the auditors and what you can do with the results of the audits. We will explore some auditing tools and resources available. Finally, we will discuss some innovative ways to engage staff in the hand hygiene program. This webinar is presented by the Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control and is cosponsored by the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety and the Alabama Statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC).

Mary M. Duncan

Senior Director of Infection Prevention· University of Alabama-Birmingham Health System.

Mary Duncan is an experienced, certified Infection Preventionist who has spent the last 18 years implementing best practices at various facilities to prevent infections in patients. She is currently the Senior Director of Infection Prevention at the University of Alabama-Birmingham Health System. This is an 1100+ bed Level 1 trauma center in the city of Birmingham, AL. Through her passion and innovative approaches, she strives to decrease infections by working with front-line staff to make sure they are educated on best practices and have access to the tools they need to do the right thing. Mary is skilled in the ability to listen and identify issues or problem areas and form innovative solutions that increase the safety for both patients and staff.

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