CNE Activities

The endoscope reprocessing journey within the GI Suite is one that is designed to deliver diagnostic and therapeutic devices that are safe for patient use. The road to processing, paved by standards, guidelines, and instructions for use, provides GPS guidance for the reprocessing staff, and aids in preventing detours that can invite opportunities for infection. This one-hour continuing nursing education activity provides an opportunity for endoscopy staff to ensure they are on course in their reprocessing practices.

Pancreaticobiliary disorders - diseases of the pancreas, liver, gall bladder and bile duct - are highly complex in nature, running the gamut from simple stone related disorders to strictures and cancers. Cholangiopancreatoscopy is one of the various options available for diagnosis. In this one-hour continuing education activity, the speaker will present an overview of the various disorders and review the history of cholangiopancreatoscopy. She will present the latest techniques in of cholangiopancreatoscopy, which can be observed in video clips of the procedure. The presentation will utilize lecture

ERCP has evolved from a diagnostic procedure into a primarily therapeutic procedure for a variety of biliary and pancreatic disorders. ERCP with or without associated biliary and pancreatic therapeutics can cause a variety of complications including pancreatitis, hemorrhage, perforation, cardiopulmonary problems, and others. These complications can range from minor with full recovery, to severe and devastating, with permanent disability or death. This education activity will review ERCP and current techniques to help mitigate risks and reduce complications.

Gallstone disease is one of the most common and costly of all digestive diseases. It is estimated that, in the United States, 6.3 million men and 14.2 million women aged 20-74 years have gallbladder disease. In this one-hour continuing education activity, the speaker will utilize lecture and video case studies to review considerations in the endoscopic detection and treatment of biliary stone disease. It is expected that participants will become more familiar with the imaging modalities and treatment options for biliary stone disease and be able to apply the knowledge when providing enhanced patient care and patient education in the GI Suite.

It is estimated that the annual number of GI endoscopic procedures is over 75 million, with many requiring diagnostic biopsy. An Endoscopy Lab and Pathology Lab are responsible for individual parts of the Detection to Diagnosis cycle. In this one-hour CNE activity, the speaker will focus on the benefit of an endoscopy suite and a pathology lab partnership from a tissue acquisition standpoint. The speaker will present techniques and processes to improve the quality of biopsy specimens and also discuss communication with pathology lab as a tool for improving biopsy sampling.

Endoscopic ultrasound technology combines the maneuverability of an endoscope with ultrasound’s ability to image the body’s inner wall layers to visualize lesions, organs, major vessels and individual layers of the GI tract. In this one-hour CNE educational activity, participants will explore the capabilities of EUS in the GI Suite and review the major steps in the procedure.

The current data on the rate of duodenoscope contamination has focused attention on the potential infection risk from procedures performed with duodenoscopes. This one-hour CNE activity will examine the data on the efficacy of duodenoscope processing, the impact on the risk of infection, and evaluation of new technologies designed to address the issue. Participants will receive information enabling them to be proactive in their infection prevention strategies for endoscopes as they choose solutions related to the handling of these complicated endoscopes.

GI Endoscopy units are among other healthcare settings that are met with challenges in providing safe care to their patients. An overarching philosophy that addresses such safety challenges as the possibility of infection is a culture of safety. This culture drives every aspect of the setting, and its existence should be obvious to the patients and the staff. This program is intended to guide the GI Endoscopy unit in embracing a culture of safety specifically through infection prevention.

The world of the GI specialty is exciting, offering both diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities through the use of an endoscope. At the same time, the reusable endoscopes become contaminated during their uses; and therefore, they require actions and processes designed for safe reuse. Join us in this self-directed journey as we explore the various components related to endoscope handling: biofilm, reprocessing steps, and multi-drug resistant organisms (superbugs).

The concerns over Infection Prevention in the Endoscopy unit have become increasingly complicated. This course is designed to review generic endoscope structure, the recommended guidelines and cleaning procedures, and the steps to minimize patient exposure to infection in Endoscopy. If you have a role in the cleaning, storage or direct use of endoscopy equipment; if you are concerned about patient safety and infection prevention, this is the course for you.

Have you ever wondered what was lurking in the cracks and crevices of all the little removable pieces and parts that are attached to an endoscope? In this one-hour faculty-directed session, the speaker will discuss the evidence supporting the proposal that endoscope accessories, reusable parts (e.g. valves) and cleaning implements can be a source of cross-contamination. She will also discuss the proposed strategies to mitigate cross-contamination risk as outlined in current standards and guidelines.

Pancreaticobiliary disorders - diseases of the pancreas, liver, gall bladder and bile duct - are highly complex in nature, running the gamut from simple stone related disorders to strictures and cancers. The purpose of this CNE activity is to present information on the basic elements involved in performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for disorders related to the pancreaticobiliary system. Participants will be able to participate in the assistive role of an ERCP by using knowledge of the clinical aspects of the procedures as well as of the various devices that contribute to a successful patient outcome.

The concerns over Infection Prevention in the Endoscopy unit have become increasingly complicated. This recorded webinar is designed to provide a foundation for using chemical germicides in performing HLD of endoscopes and accessories. It is expected that staff responsible for processing endoscopes and accessories will employ practices that ensure infection prevention and safety for patients and staff.

Endoscopes used in the GI endoscopy suite are valuable tools for both diagnostic and therapeutic gastroenterologic procedures. These invasive procedures are not without potential patient complications; however, one being the potential for infection. Staff involved in the care of these patients have the opportunity to ensure patient safety through a solid foundational infection prevention program. This foundation begins with awareness of the components of the chain of infection and includes building blocks that offer opportunities to strengthen the program by breaking the chain. Endoscopy units will receive information enabling them to evaluate their current infection prevention programs and select building blocks that will help to solidify their structure.

This program will present detailed information on acute cholecystitis, an inflammatory biliary condition. The presenter will explore the condition in depth, reviewing the clinical picture and treatment options, using lecture, projected visuals and discussion. Participants will be able to contribute to patient safety through an assistive role involved in endoscopic treatment modalities for acute cholecystitis.

There are three current treatment options for biliary stricture management: open surgery, percutaneous radiologic interventions and endoscopic therapy. Each modality offers advantages over the others in specific clinical situations. In this one-hour continuing education recorded webinar, the speaker will utilize lecture and video case studies to review considerations in the endoscopic management of biliary strictures, detailing instrumentation and technology.

A pancreatic pseudocyst is a collection of tissue and fluids that forms on the pancreas, usually due to a hard blow to the abdomen or pancreatitis. In this one-hour continuing education activity, participants will explore the variations of pancreatic fluid collections, discussing development and various treatment options, in order to enhance patient care in the GI Suite.

Flexible endoscopes are highly delicate pieces of equipment and, unfortunately, vulnerable to damage. Normal wear and tear as well as physical trauma can lead to trouble. Current reprocessing guidelines require that all endoscopes be inspected to ensure they are visually clean and free of damage. In this learner paced continuing education activity, participants will review the common types of damage that can be detected using a thorough visual inspection routine. Attendees will learn how to properly handle an endoscope in order to avoid damage during routine use and reprocessing. .

An estimated 10-20% of colonoscopies are considered difficult. In this one-hour CNE activity, the speaker will review human anatomy, pre and intra endoscopy patient assessment, and abdominal pressure techniques to improve abdominal pressure strategies and decrease potential injuries to patients, providers, and staff. Participants will be able to discuss changes in practice to improve abdominal pressure techniques during endoscopic procedures.

Endoscopy procedures in which a patient presents with a gastrointestinal bleed can be moments of high stress for everyone involved. Achieving hemostasis, or stopping the bleed, is the main goal. And oftentimes, clinicians aim to achieve this as quickly as possible. This one-hour learner-paced independent study CNE activity delves into the signs and symptoms of GI bleeding, different causes of GI bleeds and the endoscopic treatment modalities for GI bleeding. It is expected that participants will be better prepared for encounters with gastrointestinal bleeds in their endoscopy unit.

Endoscopic marking, first described in 1975, is used to assist in operative localization and to facilitate identification of subtle mucosal lesions. It is rapidly gaining attention for its use in the GI Suite This faculty-directed continuing education activity will provide information on the role of endoscopic tattoo in patient safety. Enhanced visualization, preoperative lesion localization and prevention of wrong site surgery will all contribute to patient safety.

It is well established that most colon cancers arise from colon polyps. By identifying and removing colon polyps during colonoscopy, we can prevent their progression to cancer and ultimately save lives. This CNE activity will present information on the management of lesions/polyps in the Gl Tract. It is expected that participants will be able to identify Gl tract polyps and the various advanced techniques required for management.

The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma has seen a five-fold increase over the last two decades, with the mortality rate increasing seven-fold. These staggering statistics, coupled with release of updated AGA Guidelines, create a need to re-examine the management of Barrett’s Esophagus. In this eLearning activity, participants will review the disease process for Barrett’s Esophagus and consider Society Guidelines, which reflect a more therapeutic approach to treating patients with low grade dysplasia (LGD) and high risk patients with non-dysplastic intestinal metaplasia (NDIM).

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a medical procedure in which endoscopy is combined with ultrasound to obtain images of the colon. In some cases, EUS is combined with a fine needle aspiration (FNA) or fine needle biopsy (FNB) in order to confirm the diagnosis. In this learner-paced independent study activity, the learner will review the disease states that can benefit from EUS FNA/FNB procedures. (S)He will also review the various applications and patient teaching elements for the procedures.

Patients who present with the GI bleeding disorders Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia and Radiation Proctitis are frequently anemic and transfusion-dependent. These patients are often seen by gastroenterologists for coagulation therapy that will eliminate the bleeding vessels. In this eLearning activity, participants will review the bleeding disorders and discuss the therapeutic approaches to obtain hemostasis for these patients.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) affects an estimated 1.6 million Americans. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are both major categories of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), usually involving severe diarrhea, pain, fatigue and weight loss. IBD can be debilitating and sometimes leads to life-threatening complications. In this eLearning activity, participants will review the Inflammatory Bowel Disease states and also discuss patient teaching and the various diagnostic tools.

Approximately 300,000 hospitalizations per year are due to OGIB, a persistent or recurrent occult or overt bleeding of unknown origin. Physician goals are stabilization, location and identification of the bleeding cause. Frequently bleeding will stop and start, making it difficult to locate by any diagnostic means. Therefore, it is critical to find the source early in the evaluation process. In this eLearning activity, we will review the disease processes for OGIB, discuss patient teaching considerations and explore various diagnostic tools.

The purpose of this activity is to present information on each step of the cleaning process for surgical instruments and reusable medical devices. Participants should be able to utilize resources to determine best practices when cleaning surgical instruments and medical devices, discuss the critical points of each cleaning step and offer strategies to overcome barriers to achieving best practice in instrument reprocessing.

Cleaning and reprocessing of medical devices are critical processes contributing to patient safety and infection prevention, but what cleaning agents should be used? In this one-hour CNE activity, the speaker will discuss various detergents and cleaning agents designed for surgical instruments and flexible endoscopes. S/He will discuss mechanisms of action, best practices and the challenges faced by participants in the field, as they determine which detergents or cleaning agents meet the needs of their departments.