HIV Safety for Florida Clinical Laboratory Personnel
Continuing Education Credits
This course addressed the Florida requirement for continuing education in HIV and AIDS. Designed for individuals working in a clinical laboratory setting, this course focuses on safety precautions, including the proper use personal protective equipment and safety devices on needles. Florida laws and the rights of laboratorians are also addressed. This course counts for HIV / AIDS credit for the Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science, and credit is automatically reported to Florida's CEBroker system.
Objectives
- Describe the structure of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Describe the modes of transmission of HIV in a health care setting.
- List practices that prevent HIV exposure.
- Describe clinical management after HIV exposure.
- Describe current Florida law on AIDS and its impact on HIV testing.
Course Outline
- HIV Structure
- Introduction: HIV and AIDS
- Retrovirus
- Basic Structural Components
- HIV Capsid
- HIV Envelope
- Proteins Involved in Adsorption
- Function of HIV Genes
- Mutations
- What property of HIV makes genetic mutations very likely?
- Modes of Transmission
- Occupational Exposures
- Potentially Infectious Body Fluids
- Risk Factors Associated with Increased HIV Infection
- Which of the following does not pose a significant risk for transmitting HIV?
- Practices That Prevent HIV Exposure
- Overview
- Engineering Controls
- Sharps
- Work Practice Controls
- Handwashing
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Gloves
- Which of the following are considered the first line of defense against potential exposure to HIV in the laboratory?
- Clinical Management of an HIV Exposure
- If an Exposure Occurs
- Evaluation and Treatment
- Postexposure Prophlaxis (PEP)
- Match the proper first aid with the exposure type.
- Care and Treatment of HIV/AIDS Patients
- Caring for HIV/AIDS Patients
- Identifying Risks and Behaviors Associated with HIV/AIDS
- Goals of HIV/AIDS Treatment
- Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) for Patients Infected With HIV
- Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) for Patients Infected With HIV, continued
- Types of ART Medications
- Which of the following is not considered a treatment goal for those suffering with HIV/AIDS?
- Attitude and Stigma Associated with HIV/AIDS
- Introduction to HIV/AIDS Stigma
- Counteracting HIV/AIDS Stigma
- Which of the following characteristics below is not considered to be at the root of HIV/AIDS stigma?
- Current Florida Law on AIDS and its Impact on HIV Testing
- Legislative Intent
- Informed Consent
- Confidentiality
- Reporting Results
- Preliminary and Confirmatory Testing
- A healthcare worker who violates the confidentiality provisions of the Florida Statutes commits a misdemeanor of the first degree. What action by the healthcare worker would escalate the offense to a felony?
- References
- References
Additional Information
Level of Instruction: Basic
Intended Audience: This course is suitable for all clinical laboratory personnel, especially those working in Florida.
Author information: Barbara Cebulski, MS, MLS(ASCP) has over 40 years of experience in the medical laboratory profession as a technologist, section supervisor, and laboratory manager. She was an Inspection and Technical Specialist for nine years with the College of American Pathologists in the Laboratory Accreditation Program and, until her retirement in 2015, was Program Director for MediaLab, Inc. Barbara holds a Masters in Instructional Technology from Georgia State University.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer information: Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. He holds Medical Laboratory Scientist and Specialist in Hematology certifications through the ASCP Board of Certification. He was a professor at Thomas Jefferson University for seven years before transitioning into his current role as Education Developer at MediaLab by Vastian. His areas of expertise and professional passions include clinical hematology and interprofessional education.