Member $240/Non-Member $290
Recorded in November 2020, this PDC focuses on disinfection as an important aspect of infection prevention in the healthcare environment and the selection of the right surface disinfectant to reduce the prevalence of healthcare-acquired infections. This is part one of a two-part PDC and will provide a comprehensive look at: a) how surface disinfectants work; b) how disinfectants are regulated; c) the most commonly used products; d) potential exposures; e) disinfectant alternatives; and f) new technologies in disinfection. The session will explore the IH issues: 1) what organism(s) are targeted by the disinfectants and 2) the surface compatibilities of the products. This PDC will follow the AIHA publication, "Guidelines for the Selection and Use of Environmental Surface Disinfectants in Healthcare".
Prerequisites
It is recommended that participants take this course in conjunction with: Environmental Surface Disinfectants in Healthcare - Part 2.
Value Added
An electronic copy of AIHA's publication "Guidelines for the Selection and Use of Environmental Surface Disinfectants in Healthcare" will be provided to attendees.
Course Outline
- Healthcare Facility Overview
- Microbiology of Organisms with Healthcare Significance
- Overview of Disinfectants
- Overview of the AIHA Guidelines for Environmental Surface Disinfectants
Course Outcomes
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Identify the significant microorganisms in the healthcare environment.
- Describe the role of the environment in the transmission of microorganisms.
- Differentiate between surface disinfectants and their actions, uses, and compatibilities.
- Explain how disinfectants are regulated.
- Show how to find information on disinfectants and their classification.
Who will benefit
Those wanting to act as a resource for employers or clients, able to recommend efficacious and efficient products that also reduce or eliminate harmful occupational exposures to staff, patients, and families.
Time to complete
Participants will have 90 days from the date of purchase to view the session recordings and submit the online evaluation for credit.
Questions?
Have questions or need additional information? Contact us.
Instructors
Roberta Smith, MSPH, RN, CIC, COHN-S, CIH, Routt County Public Heath, Steamboat Springs, CO
Roberta Smith MSPH, RN, CIC, COHN-S, CIH, has spent her career exploring the many facets of public health. She has over 20 years of experience in the fields of public health, occupational health, industrial hygiene, safety and infection control. She holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Environmental Health and in Nursing. She holds a Master's of Science in Public Health and certifications in infection control, occupational health nursing specialist, and in industrial hygiene. She currently is the Public Health Director for Routt County in Colorado. In this role, she leads the medical content review for the ReadySet the Axion Health Occupational Health software product. Roberta was the collaborating lead author on the "Guide for Worker Safety and Health in the Marijuana Industry," a comprehensive guide for marijuana workers in Colorado. She has provided safety training for workers within the marijuana industry as well as training for the Colorado agencies that help to regulate the industry. She is also the co-editor of the AIHA Publication, "Guidelines for the Selection and Use of Environmental Surface Disinfectants in Healthcare". This publication received AIHA's Editor's Choice Award in 2018.
John Martinelli, Forensic Analytical Consulting Services, Citrus Heights, CA
Mr. Martinelli is the Healthcare Practice Director for Forensic Analytical Consulting Services. Mr. Martinelli also serves as a subject matter expert and practice group leader for a variety of technical service areas and has testified as an expert in a variety of litigated cases. With more than 30 years of experience in the field of Environmental Health, Mr. Martinelli has provided comprehensive hazmat assessments, project design and risk management to clients including various medical centers, schools, retail/commercial properties, housing and various public agencies. Mr. Martinelli also has extensive experience in training other professionals having delivered thousands of hours of health and safety training covering all aspects of hazardous materials abatement, exposure risk management, project management and design. Mr. Martinelli has presented on a variety of healthcare topics to numerous national associations including APIC, AIHA, IAQA, ASHE, AOHP and many of their local chapters.
Rob Strode, MS, CIH, FAIHA, Chemistry & Industrial Hygiene, Inc., Wheat Ridge, CO
Mr. Strode is a certified industrial hygienist (CIH) with over 25 years of laboratory, field, and management experience and is the Technical Director of Industrial Hygiene Services at C&IH. His areas of expertise include classical industrial hygiene, indoor environmental quality (IEQ), field and laboratory methods and analyses, and support for commercial building and multi-family housing management programs dealing with environmental agents such as mold, radon, asbestos and lead. Mr. Strode has conducted hundreds of air quality investigations related to occupational and environmental exposures and routinely performs exposure and risk assessments for chemical, physical, and biological hazards. He earned his Master of Science in microbiology, providing particular expertise in the fungal/bacterial aspects of his IEQ work. He is a member of the national American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Biosafety and Environmental Microbiology Committee and is currently Past-President of the AIHA Rocky Mountain Section. He has developed quality assurance programs, operations and maintenance programs, health and safety plans, and remediation and abatement design documents and project specifications. Mr. Strode has provided training in various subjects including OSHA and EPA training in hazardous waste, exposure and risk assessment, fungi, asbestos and lead, general industrial hygiene principles, and co-teaches an annual CIH review course. He has authored and/or provided publications and presentations in the fields of chemistry, industrial hygiene, exposure assessment, and microbiology. Mr. Strode is a 2009 AIHA Fellow Award winner, nominated by industry peers and awarded to less than five percent of the AIHA membership for contributions to the field of industrial hygiene.
Kathy Thompson, CIH, MPH, MS, 3M, St Paul, MN
Kathy has been with 3M for 25 years in various industrial hygiene roles, including chemical regulatory and technical service for disinfectant products before her current position as Technical Training and Education Specialist with the 3M Personal Safety Division. She spent 10 years working in healthcare prior to 3M in clinical microbiology and infection control/safety roles. Kathy has an MPH in Environmental Health from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Science in Chemistry from Lehigh University. She is a Certified Industrial Hygienist and Medical Technologist.