SPONSORS

This activity is sponsored by the New Jersey Center for Public Health Preparedness, the New Jersey Preparedness Training Consortium (NJ-PTC), and the UMDNJ Center for Continuing and Outreach Education.

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity, the participant will be able to:

• Identify resources for sample collection of agents of bioterrorism and other emerging infections.
• Describe shipping responsibilities for biological and infectious substances.
• Describe the capabilities of the New Jersey Laboratory Response Network.
• Describe how public health information may aid in early and accurate diagnosis and clinical practice.

FACULTY

Leah Z. Ziskin, MD, MS
Associate Professor, UMDNJ School of Public Health

Drew A. Harris, DPM, MPH
Assistant Professor, UMDNJ School of Public Health

Susan L. Mikorski, M.Ed, MT(ASCP)SM
Research Scientist, New Jersey Division of Public Health and Environmental Laboratories

Marcia Sass, ScD, MSN
Assistant Professor, UMDNJ School of Public Health

George DiFernando, MD, MPH Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology, UMDNJ School of Public Health

Target Audience

Physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, laboratorians, healthcare office staff

STATEMENT OF NEED

Healthcare providers have a limited knowledge of how the Laboratory Response Network operates and the proper handling and packaging of clinical samples for effective laboratory diagnosis.

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION

Participants should read the learning objectives and review the video in its entirety. After reviewing the video, complete the self-assessment test consisting of a series of multiple-choice and True/ False questions and submit the course evaluation.

Upon completing this activity as designed and achieving a passing score of 70% or more on the self-assessment test, participants will receive a printable credit letter. Estimated time to complete this activity as designed is 1.0 hours.

Accreditation

PHYSICIANS: UMDNJ–Center for Continuing and Outreach Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. UMDNJ–Center for Continuing and Outreach Education designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physician should claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation

CEUs: UMDNJ-Center for Continuing and Outreach Education certifies that this program meets the criteria for up to 0.1 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), provided the activity is completed as designed. One CEU equals 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction.

Disclosure

In accordance with the disclosure policies of UMDNJ and to conform with ACCME and FDA guidelines, individuals in a position to control the content of this education activity are required to disclose to the activity participants: 1) the existence of any financial interest or other relationships with proprietary entities producing health care goods or services, with the exemption of non-profit or government organizations and non-health care related companies, within the past 12 months; and 2) the identification of a commercial product/device that is unlabeled for use or an investigational use of a product/device not yet approved.

Disclosure Declaration

The faculty have no financial relationships to disclose.

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this activity are those of the faculty. It should not be inferred or assumed that they are expressing the views of NJ-PTC, NJDHHS, UMDNJ, or any manufacturer of pharmaceuticals.

It should be noted that the recommendations made herein with regard to the use of therapeutic agents, varying disease states, and assessments of risk, are based upon a combination of clinical trials, current guidelines, and the clinical practice experience of the participating presenters. The drug selection and dosage information presented in this activity are believed to be accurate. However, participants are urged to consult the full prescribing information on any agent(s) presented in this activity for recommended dosage, indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse effects before prescribing any medication.

Please direct CME related questions to UMDNJ at 973-972-4267 or email ccoereg@umdnj.edu. To review UMDNJ's privacy policy, click here.

GRANTOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Grant No. T01HP01407 and CDC grant #U90/CCU224257-03.

LINKS

New Jersey Medical Reserve Corps
www.njmrc.nj.gov/hcpr

LINCS – Local Information Network Communication Systems
www.njlincs.net

CONTACT INFORMATION

Susan Mikorski
Laboratory Outreach Coordinator
NJDHHS Public Health and Environmental Laboratories
609-984-1883
Susan.mikorski@doh.state.nj.us

Rudolph Chesko
Principal Training Technician
NJDHHS Public Health and Environmental Laboratories
609-772-4311
Rudolph.chesko@doh.state.nj.us