More than 54.1 million people undergo surgical procedures annually in the United States, and many suffer from avoidable adverse events. This course provides evidence-based practice (EBP) information to promote the management of hypothermia, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and handover communication in the perioperative setting. Each topic includes an overview of EBP information that healthcare providers can apply to reduce patient harm from adverse events. The ability to apply the information depends on a solid understanding of EBP in the perioperative setting.
Transfusions are a life-saving intervention, but transfusion errors, particularly errors involving ABO incompatibility, can be deadly. Three actions that have frequently been a contributing cause for ABO incompatibility errors are incorrect labeling of the blood sample for crossmatching, incorrect interpretation by personnel in the blood bank, and incorrect identification of the patient prior to initiation of a transfusion. Laboratory staff and nurses who are involved in the administration of blood products must strictly follow facility policies to ensure that they give the correct blood product to the correct patient.
Whether at the surgical site or on the hands of the healthcare provider, human skin is inherently laden with resident and transient flora. This course addresses ways to reduce pathogens on the skin of caregivers and surgical patients to reduce the risk of infections. It provides historical context and explains proper glove use and skin antisepsis, surgical scrubs, and pre-op cleansing. The course also discusses types of antiseptic solutions and considerations for their use.
The perioperative nurse plays a primary role in the operative process. Knowledge of procedures, appropriate patient assessment, and care management guidelines will positively impact patient outcomes. Patients consider anesthesia to be a major risk of surgery and expect perioperative team members to be their advocates by caring for their pre-, intra-, and post-operative needs and providing safe and effective care. This course discusses anesthetics and adjuvant medications used in the clinical setting, anesthesia-related complications, and the nurse’s role in management of perioperative patients.
Hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg) is often considered the defining hallmark of shock, but it can also be a late or deceptive sign. Therefore, other signs and symptoms must be identified early to detect and respond to a patient’s deteriorating state before irreversible shock ensues. The pathophysiologic process of shock is complicated, which makes nursing management challenging. An understanding of the pathophysiology, aspects of diagnosis, and effective interventions are crucial to patient survival. Knowledge of the different states of shock and evidenced-based interventions is important for nurses as they play a vital role in promoting timely detection and treatment. Such knowledge can help the clinical nurse promote care that is based on the latest guidelines.
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More Details
Perioperative nursing CEUs are intended for nurses who organize and execute treatment for patients receiving surgery, and work directly in hospital surgical departments, ambulatory surgery units, clinics, or physicians’ offices:
- Registered Nurses
- Nurse Practitioners
- LPNs/LVNs
- Advanced Practice Nurses
Perioperative nurses work in unique environments that offer a distinct subset of challenges and patient needs. Continuing education courses for perioperative nurses are offered in a variety of topics designed to best prepare nurses for the situations they face:
- Substance abuse
- Pain management
- Anesthesia
- Perioperative patient safety
- Infection prevention
- Medication error prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Do college courses count as CEUs for nurses?
Yes, college courses can count as CEUs for nurses, but specific conditions must be met. College courses can be accepted if they are relevant to nursing practice and offered by an accredited institution. The nursing licensing board in the state where the nurse practices typically determines the acceptability of these courses.
College courses usually translate into CEUs through contact hours. For instance, one CEU is equivalent to 10 contact hours of participation in an accredited program. This standardized method is used to quantify continuing education activities across different institutions and professions.
It's essential for nurses to verify with their state licensing board to ensure that the specific college courses they plan to take will be recognized as CEUs. Different states may have varying requirements regarding what counts as acceptable continuing education.
How many contact hours are needed to become an RN?
The number of contact hours required to become and remain a Registered Nurse (RN) varies by state and specific licensing boards. Find the CE requirements for your state here: Nurse CE Requirements by State
Conversion and Definition:
Contact hours are a measure of actual time spent in educational activities, where one contact hour typically equals 60 minutes of instruction.
Verification and Compliance:
Many states allow nurses to choose from a variety of educational activities to earn contact hours, including online courses, seminars, and workshops. It's essential to ensure that these courses are accredited and recognized by the state's nursing board.
Are contact hours the same as CEUs?
Contact hours refer to the actual time a nurse spends participating in a structured educational activity. Typically, one contact hour equals 60 minutes of instructional time. Contact hours are often used to measure participation in courses, workshops, seminars, and other educational activities that contribute to professional development in nursing.
CEUs are a standardized unit of measurement used to quantify participation in continuing education programs. One CEU is equivalent to 10 contact hours of participation. CEUs provide a uniform method for recording and reporting continuing education activities across different institutions and professions.
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CE memberships help you meet your continuing education needs and advance your clinical knowledge. The Standard Membership, available for $49.99 per year, gives you access to all online courses 1.5 contact hours or less, a 50% discount on courses over 1.5 contact hours, and a 50% discount on state renewal packages. The Premium Membership, priced at $149.99 per year, includes all the benefits of the Standard Membership plus free access to all state renewal packages, premium courses over 1.5 contact hours, and the Advanced Practice Pharmacology course.
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What if I’m not able to complete an entire course?
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