• Course Format

    Live Webinar

  • Contact Hours

    1.0

  • Certificate of Completion

    Printable CE Certificate

  • Recording

    On-demand Webinar Recording

  • Handouts

    Download PDF Slides

Description

This program is designed for clinicians and quality professionals interested in the new CDC guidance on pathogen transmission to reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), improve patient safety and cost effective care, with a special focus on the critical role of the stethoscope as a vector. Current stethoscope hygiene practice is evaluated, and practical strategies for ensuring compliance with improving infection control practices, just as we do with hands, are examined.

Data on novel products and innovation, to reduce pathogen transmission and increase compliance with hygiene protocols is discussed, including an example of a well-designed quality improvement Case Study on CLABSI. The panelists will discuss the current data related to updated CDC guidance on prevention of pathogen transmission and how a quality improvement project that added a stethoscope diaphragm barrier to the standard CLABSI bundle impacted results in an ICU.

By the end of this course, healthcare professionals will be equipped with knowledge and tools to improve stethoscope hygiene practices in their clinical environments, reducing the risk of pathogen spread and enhancing patient safety.

Agenda Overview:

  • HAIs and their impact on healthcare
  • 2024 CDC Draft Guidelines on pathogen transmission
  • Recent findings on stethoscope hygiene and compliance challenges
  • CLABSI Case Study implementing stethoscope hygiene in the ICU
  • Novel barrier products for reducing pathogen transmission
  • Best practices for stethoscope hygiene in 2025

    May 14, 2025

    8:00 AM - 9:00 AM PST (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST)

  • Learning Objectives

    • Describe Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) impact on both patient safety and the economic cost burden.

    • Discuss the latest 2024 CDC guidedance on pathogen transmission as it relates to stethoscope hygiene.

    • Examine the role of evidence-based stethoscope hygiene innovation in mitigating pathogen transmission between patients in high-risk care environments.

    Course Curriculum

    • 1

      GOODBYE, CLABSI! Your Third Hand Will No Longer Infect Your Patients!

      • Read First: How To Navigate This Course

      • Download Course Handouts Here!

    • 2

      Join the Webinar

      • May 14: 8:00 am - 9:00 am PST

    • 3

      Course Evaluation & CE

      • Course Completion Acknowledgement

      • Course Evaluation

    Instructor

    MN, RN, CCNS, CCRN-CMC, PCCN

    Nicole Kupchik

    Nicole Kupchik has been a critical care nurse for over 25 years. Originally from Northwest Indiana, she worked as a traveling nurse and settled in Seattle, WA in 1998. She graduated from Purdue University in 1993 and in 2008 obtained a Master of Nursing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist from the University of Washington.

    After moving to Seattle, Nicole took great interest in Resuscitation while working at Harborview Medical Center. She was part of a team who wrote one of the first protocols in the US for Therapeutic Hypothermia after cardiac arrest and has published numerous papers on the topic. In 2009, she led a team that launched an award-winning Sepsis Alert System.

    In 2013, Nicole founded Nicole Kupchik Consulting, Inc. She has taught CCRN® & PCCN® Certification Review courses for over 10 years and has helped thousands of nurses achieve certification! She strongly believes every nurse can and should be board certified in their specialty!

    In 2017, Nicole published "Ace the CCRN®: You Can Do It" Study Guide and Practice Question Book as well as well as "Ace the PCCN®: You Can Do It" Study Guide and Practice Question Book. In 2018, she published "Ace the CMC®: You Can Do It" Study Guide. "Ace the CSC®: You Can Do It!" Study Guide for the Cardiac Surgery Certification was published in March 2019. Her latest book, Critical Care Survival Guide was published in April 2023.

    MSN, RN, CCNS, FCCM, FCNS, FAAN

    Kathleen Vollman

    Ms. Vollman is a Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, Educator and Consultant. She has published & lectured nationally and internationally on a variety of pulmonary, critical care, prevention of health care acquired injuries, work culture and sepsis recognition & management.

    From 1989 to 2003 she functioned in the role of Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Medical ICU’s at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit Michigan. In 2004, Kathleen was inducted into the College of Critical Care Medicine, in 2009 she was inducted into the American Academy of Nurses. In 2012, Ms. Vollman was appointed to serve as an honorary ambassador to the World Federation of Critical Care Nurses and is currently the financial director.

    Ms. Vollman is a subject matter expert for prevention of CAUTI, CLABSI and HAPI as well as sepsis recognition/management and the culture of safety for American Hospital Association and the Michigan Hospital Association. Currently her company, ADVANCING NURSING LLC, is focused on creating empowered work environments for nurses through the acquisition of greater skills and knowledge.

    MSN, ANP-BC, CNS, CPHQ

    Cindy Cadwell

    Cynthia A. Cadwell, APRN, ANP-BC, CNS, CPHQ, is a highly accomplished healthcare professional with over three decades of experience in advanced nursing practice, clinical education, quality improvement, and healthcare leadership. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing as an Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist from San Diego State University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Excelsior College and is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality, in addition to her many clinical certifications.

    A published author and national speaker, Cynthia has contributed to peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences such as the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). She has also been actively involved in volunteer work, including leadership roles in professional organizations and community health initiatives.

    Licensed in California and Hawaii, Cynthia’s career reflects a commitment to advancing healthcare quality, patient safety, and education, making her a respected leader in the field.

    Accreditation

    Nicole Kupchik Consulting, Inc. is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Provider number 16363. Approved for 1.0 CE Contact Hours.

    Successful Completion

    Student must attend the entire webinar and complete the course evaluation to be awarded the contact hour. No partial credit will be awarded.

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