Prevention of Medical Errors for Audiologists

This program is offered for .2 CEUs or 2 hours of continuing professional development (Introductory Level: Related Area). Price: $60.00

When the State of Florida mandated that every health care practitioner include a two hour continuing education course covering Prevention of Medical Errors in every initial licensure and every two year licensure cycle, I began to make phone calls to the Speech Pathology and Audiology Board of Medical Quality Assurance, and to the American Speech Language Hearing Association. My goal was to find an existing course on this topic to offer to my Department at the University of Florida, because I was the Continuing Education Administrator. A course did not exist, yet the requirement was already in place. My thoughts then raced to enduring yet another requirement that did not enhance my practice or my knowledge in my field. Each semester, training graduate students in their practicum, internships, and CFY experiences, I would instruct and caution as they began their interaction with their clients and patients. "Make sure of ……, be aware of ….., always check….before you……", etc. This counsel was the information that would truly prevent errors by Speech Language Pathologists practicing in a medical setting. I decided to put it into a course format, and offer it to my colleagues in a way that would be helpful, informative, "user friendly", and could potentially be a reference for their practice and teaching experiences.

Later I decided to create a course for audiologists. For some it is review, although we can always learn new bits and pieces of information from each other. For others, it is interesting knowledge that they may or may not use daily, but fulfills the licensure requirement in a way that is at least pertinent to their chosen field of study and practice. My goal is to offer a valuable, quality, pertinent resource to my peers. I welcome questions, comments, and ideas. You may contact Cynthia Barnett at Bartcyn@cs.com.

At the successful completion of the course, participants should be able to:

1. List topics to cover in a cerumen management course
2. List reasons to obtain medical clearance before being fit with
   hearing aids
3. List things to examine during a biologic check of an audiometer
4. List tests to use when non-organic hearing loss is suspected
5. List clinical applications for otoacoustic emissions
6. Explain the difference in information obtained in otoacoustic
   emissions and hearing testing
7. Identify information obtained through a tinnitus assessment

Author Sarah Melamed, M.A., is a clinical audiologist. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Audiology and Speech Sciences from Michigan State University in 1996 and her Master of Science degree from Wayne State University in 1998. From 1998 until 2002 she worked in a clinical setting providing diagnostic and rehabilitative services for adults and children. Read more

ProCourse is approved by the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) to provide continuing education activities in speech-language pathology and audiology. This program is offered for .2 CEUs (Introductory Level, Professional Area) ASHA approval of CE Provider status does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.

This course is approved by the State of Florida for 2 hours credit. ProCourse Provider #SPA-115 Mandatory per Rule 64B20-2.001, Florida Administrative Code, as required by s. 456.013 (7), Florida Statute. Your 2 hours of credit will be registered on CE Broker.

Other professionals, please contact your state licensing board for information on continuing education requirements. You will be able to print a copy of the CE certificate at the end of each course. It is recommended that you keep a copy of the certificate to show that you completed the necessary requirements.

CEUs are based on attainment of learning outcomes. Participants must complete the course, pass the assessment test with 80% accuracy and fill out the evaluation form in order to receive their certificate on-line.

Participants' satisfaction is assured. The request for a refund and justifiable reason must be stated in writing within 2 weeks of taking the course at which tuition will be fully refunded.

Contact Cynthia D. Barnett for any further questions about this course.