Bioterrorism Preparedness for Healthcare Professionals

This course discusses possible bioterrorist attacks, what bioterrorist agents might be employed, and what to do in the event of an attack. Healthcare facilities must be equipped to handle a community’s response to a bioterrorist attack and nurses must have the basic knowledge in order to respond appropriately and safely in a crisis. Bioterrorism preparedness should also include a protocol for addressing the characteristics of the attack, treatment and response (such as the implementation of ionizing radiation agents in the event of a nuclear attack and/or dirty bomb) – a disaster plan that can be tailor made for a variety of unconventional disasters, is also provided in this course.

Target Audience

This course is designed for nurses and other allied health professionals in all settings seeking to enhance their knowledge of bioterrorist agents and what to do in the event of an attack.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss the role of the medical professional in the event of a bioterrorism attack.
2. Reflect on the history of bioterrorism.
3. Identify the CDC categories of possible bioterrorism agents and diseases.
4. Explain the types of dispersion.
5. Compare available bacterial agents, their diagnosis, and treatment procedures, and how they could be used during a bioterrorist attack.
6. Analyze viral agents with the potential for bioterrorist use, including smallpox and viral hemorrhagic fevers.
7. Evaluate biological toxins and how they might be used in biowarfare.
8. Describe the types of nerve agents that have been, or can be, used as weapons.
9. Diagnose and appropriately treat radiation injuries.
10. Apply a disaster plan for acts of terrorism that involve biological weapons, including considerations for non-English-proficient populations.

Completion Requirements

In order to receive full contact-hour credit for this CNE activity, participants must:

• Be registered for this activity,
• Review the course material,
• Complete the course post-test and obtain a grade of 70% or higher,
• Complete and submit the course evaluation survey.
• Other requirements for some of the courses may also include participation discussion boards, practice exercises, practice questions, etc.

Conflict of Interest (or lack thereof) for Planners, Authors and Presenters

A conflict of interest exists if any individual/entity that is in a position to influence the content, design, or implementation of the CNE activity is ALSO in a position to benefit financially from the success of a CNE activity.

The planners, authors and presenters of this CNE activity have disclosed no conflict of interest including no relevant financial relationships with any commercial companies pertaining to this CNE activity.

Commercial/Sponsor Support

There is no commercial company or sponsor support for this CNE activity.

Non-Endorsement of Products

The National Healthcare Institute CNE provider approval status refers only to continuing nursing education activities and does not imply that there is a real or implied endorsement of any product, service, or company referred to in this activity nor of any company subsidizing costs related to the activity.

Off-Label Product Use

This CNE activity does not include any unannounced information about off-label use of a product for a purpose other than that for which it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).