To improve patient outcomes, hospitals and health care centers around the country have implemented quality improvement measures to increase care coordination, patient safety, and preventive services. While there have been many efforts to improve patient care in all medical settings, there continues to be an issue with critical incidents. Nursing Assistants are often the front line for... more

This course provides a basic but comprehensive overview of one of the American Psychiatric Association’s major publications, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Although previous editions of the manual will be referred to briefly in the discussion as background material, the focus will be on the latest revised version. This is the edition published in May,... more

Our personality is who we are and how we present ourselves to the world. Personality disorders are considered traits that create a pattern of interacting that leads to distress or impairment. This course will discuss the types of personality disorders recognized in the DSM-5, diagnostic criteria and symptoms, and what is known about the prognosis and course of each disorder. 

Sleep-wake disorders are grouped together in a chapter of mental disorders in DSM-5. Appropriate treatment methods vary depending on the nature and severity of the condition, but in some instances, follow up with a sleep specialist is advisable. Sleep disorders are often accompanied by other symptoms of mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive changes. In addition,... more

The DSM-5 chapter immediately following Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders is a very extensive chapter on Substance Related and Addictive Disorders. The substance-related and addictive disorders are in some respects very similar to the disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders because, like the latter, they are characterized by a tendency to act impulsively without... more

Si bien el abuso es un problema que tiene lugar en todo el mundo, para los efectos de este curso, nos centraremos únicamente en el abuso de ancianos en los Estados Unidos. También aprenderás sobre lo insidioso y lo común que puede ser el abuso de ancianos. Aprenderás acerca de los diferentes tipos de abuso que afectan a nuestros mayores, incluyendo el abuso físico, psicológico, sexual y... more

Terminal illness can present a myriad of needs that have to be addressed in order to ensure that the person approaching end of life receives the best care to ensure the best quality of life in their remaining days. The needs of the terminally ill range from the immediate and physical, such as the management of pain and suffering, to psychological in order to address feelings of fear, anger,... more

When patients are upset, make demands, shout, uses foul language, or threaten others, they are exhibiting aggressive physical behavior. Aggressive behaviors are disruptive and can be harmful to medical professionals, family members, as well as other patients. Nursing assistants working in retirement homes, eldercare facilities, and hospitals are likely to interact with patients who exhibit... more

This course discusses the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), particularly Titles I & II, as they pertain to the medical field. Nursing professionals need to understand HIPAA and how it impacts them personally as well as compliance with HIPAA standards in their day-to-day operations when working with patients. The goal of this course is to increase... more

Incidents of diseases like AIDS, Hepatitis and other infections have increased over the last several decades. Preventing illness has always been an important part of healthcare, but the spread of these deadly diseases has made it even more important. By following infection control techniques and other standard precautions, the Direct Support Professional will keep themselves, their patients,... more

An increasing number of youth are experiencing crises which affect their functioning in their homes, their schools, and their communities. A crisis can affect anyone and many types of crises (like natural disasters, divorce, etc.) are universal. There are, however, specific effects of crises on children and adolescents. In particular, children and adolescents have been found to exhibit a... more

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services known as CMS has released the 9th and final chapter for the Prescription Drug Benefit Manual regarding a program to control fraud, waste and abuse. This course provides both interpretative rules and guidelines for Part D plan sponsors on how to implement the regulatory requirements to have in place a comprehensive fraud and abuse plan to detect,... more

Para los profesionales médicos de primera línea, la prevención de los errores de medicación comienza con la preparación de la medicación y continúa con la administración y la documentación. Para cualquier persona que administre medicamentos a otra persona, hay muchos controles en el camino para garantizar que la administración de los medicamentos se realice sin errores. Este curso presentará... more

La ergonomía es la ciencia que relaciona las condiciones de trabajo y las demandas laborales con las capacidades de la población trabajadora. El trabajo se compone de muchas tareas pequeñas, y estas tareas pueden conducir a lesiones del trabajador si no se ejecutan con seguridad. Los lugares de trabajo que entienden esto e incorporan principios de ergonomía, tienen menos lesiones relacionadas... more

Since the 1980's, palliative care programs have become more available in the United States. All healthcare providers benefit from a clear understanding of palliative care in order to assist their patients in their overall treatment and care needs. This course will introduce you to palliative care and what it means to healthcare professionals and patients as well as how to know when and how to... more

La Planificación Centrada en la Persona es un enfoque del tratamiento que comenzó en el trabajo clínico con personas con discapacidades y se ha expandido para ser utilizado en una variedad de poblaciones. En general, una planificación centrada en la persona, es una colección de estilos de planificaciones con un conjunto de principios compartidos que se centran en las necesidades especiales y... more

Falls and resulting injuries are frequent in hospital settings. In fact, falls with serious injuries are among the top events reported in medical settings. Every year in the United Sates, hundreds of thousands of patients fall while in a hospital setting with approximately half of falls resulting in injury. Patient falls are preventable. With the right assessment, knowledge of fall risks, and... more

Falls and resulting injuries can be a frequent occurrence in medical settings as patients learn to adapt to physical, mental, or emotional changes following an injury, surgery, or serious illness. In fact, falls with serious injuries are among the top events reported in medical settings and impact all nursing professionals. Patient falls are preventable. With the right assessment, knowledge of... more

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are quite prevalent in the United States, occurring in individuals of all ages. People with UTIs may show up in the ER department, urgent care, or already be receiving inpatient treatment for other medical issues when they develop an infection. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to developing a UTI, but there are steps individuals can take to prevent... more

Every year, many workers suffer back injuries caused when they improperly lift and carry heavy loads. This can affect most every worker in any industry, from an officer worker moving a box of copy paper to a carpenter constructing a building. This course discusses several tactics to help workers properly lift and carry heavy loads. 

Schizophrenia affects a person’s perceptions of the world, interactions with others, and thinking. Individuals with schizophrenia lose touch with reality and therefore have significant challenges negotiating daily activities. Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder, and people can live fairly independently and lead satisfying lives with the right treatment and strong support system.... more

Childhood sexual abuse has multiple negative impacts across the lifespan. In the U.S. alone, an estimated one out of three females and one out of five males will be sexually victimized before they turn 18 years old. Prior sexual abuse can often manifest through sexualized behaviors and mental health disorders in children and adolescents. Children who have been sexually or physically abused... more

Over the past decade, the number of suicide attempts and completions has risen, resulting in a pressing need for suicide prevention. The societal impact of suicide cannot be measured as families and entire communities can be impacted when someone commits suicide, creating an increased risk for all. There have been programs successfully implemented to help prevent and respond to suicide, but... more

Children in foster care are more likely to experience adverse childhood experiences, which increases their risk of negative outcomes in childhood and into adulthood. Many of the adverse experiences are highly traumatic and ultimately result in foster care placement. Because trauma is known to result in increased stress, children unable to adapt to the stress will find it more challenging to... more