Back

animated photo of covid viruses with blue spike proteins.

COVID-19: A Healthcare Pandemic for Post Acute Care

The purpose of this educational offering is to familiarize the healthcare professional with the issues surrounding COVID-19, a coronavirus that is currently causing a healthcare pandemic. This novel or new coronavirus was identified in 2019, and is currently causing illness and death worldwide. As this viral infection takes a financial, medical, and emotional toll on the worldwide population, it is imperative that all healthcare workers have a basic understanding of the virus, its symptoms, and transmission, and most importantly, what measures can be taken to lower the risk of infection in all areas of work and home. The Post Acute Care sector cares for the most vulnerable population and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has specific guidelines for facilities to follow. This course will discuss current treatment options, basic healthcare laws as they relate to public health emergencies, healthcare provider burnout and moral injury as the pandemic persists.

Disclaimer: COVID-19 is a new disease and research on its treatment is constantly changing (updating). For the most current information on COVID-19, please check with reliable sources, many of which are listed on the reference page, for the latest up to date treatment guidelines.

Questions? Check out our FAQs page and How Online IV Certification Works!

Objectives

Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:

Discuss what is meant by the term coronavirus and the acronym COVID-19.
Identify signs and symptoms pertaining to the clinical presentation of a suspected coronavirus patient (COVID-19), including overviews of Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and Pediatric Kawasaki Disease (KD).
Outline infection control issues related to care of the coronavirus patient (COVID-19).
Discuss the likely origin of coronavirus in Wuhan, China.
Cite proper hand washing guidelines and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Describe ongoing research and development of treatments (medications, vaccines, and plasma therapy) for confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19), including update on remdesivir clinical trials.
Discuss the differences between the terms outbreak, epidemic, and pandemic.
Discuss the term “vulnerable population” as a high-risk group for developing coronavirus (COVID-19).
State the differences between the terms contagious and infectious.
Describe caregiver burnout versus moral injury; discuss treatment options.
Review CMS guidelines for facility surveys during healthcare pandemic.

Curriculum

Chapter 1: Introduction, and Learning Objectives

Chapter 2: Origin and Pathophysiology of COVID-19

Chapter 3: COVID-19 and Vulnerable Populations

Chapter 4: COVID-19 and Emerging Treatment Options

Chapter 5: Nursing Homes: Preparing to Deal with a Pandemic

Chapter 6: Legalities

Legal immunity
Legal implications
The Emergency or Disaster Treatment Protection Act (EDTPA)
CMS survey guidelines

Chapter 7: When the Caregiver Becomes the Patient

Chapter 8: Caring for the Caregiver

The importance of self-care amidst a pandemic
Introduction to moral injury

Chapter 9: References

Chapter 10: Appendix

California Bill 241
Implicit Bias in Healthcare
What is Implicit Bias?
Implications of Implicit Bias in Healthcare
How to Reduce Implicit Bias

Price: $24.00

Contact Hours: 2

Course Author

Maureen Sullivan-Tevault

Maureen graduated nursing school in 1981 and has spent her years in the Emergency and Trauma field, including nursing positions as the Emergency Department Manager, Director of Staff Education, Trauma Coordinator, Cardiology Nurse Navigator, and Stroke Program Manager.

Read Full Bio

Course Accreditation

See our Accreditation Statements page to view our accreditation information.