Dana Bartlett
RN, MSN, MA, CSPI
Dana Bartlett, MSN, MA, RN, has a background in ED and critical care nursing and a strong knowledge base in pharmacology and toxicology.
Courses Authored
The government and healthcare facilities should continue to improve their approach to all-hazards preparedness, including preparedness for terrorist attacks with chemical, biological, or radioactive weapons. The healthcare team’s knowledge and ability to recognize these conditions is critical to preparedness efforts and maintaining individual and the population health. This module gives an overview of weapons of mass destruction and their symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
This course has been approved for 4 hours by the Commission on Case Manager Certification for 2017.
Many common medications can cause ototoxicity. The onset of toxicity can be subtle, but the impact of this quiet damage on a patient’s well-being can be profound. Drug-induced ototoxicity can produce anything from mild hearing loss to bilateral deafness, and it can cause balance problems severe enough to prevent employment. This course will help the reader understand ototoxicity, its causes. and the appropriate nursing care. Topics include anatomy and physiology, ototoxic substances, signs and symptoms of ototoxicity, risk factors, assessment, and nursing interventions.
The goal of this continuing education program is to update nurses’ ability to care for patients with pancreatitis.
An overview of the anatomy and function of the ear and of medications that can cause ototoxicity.
Rattlesnake bites are uncommon in the United States. The incidence of rattlesnake bites is not known, and the published numbers are estimates and almost certainly low; many rattlesnake bites are not reported, poison control centers are not consulted for every case, and there are probably many people who are bitten who do not seek medical attention. Death from a rattlesnake bite is rare, but victims can suffer significant toxic effects, loss of function, disfigurement, or even amputation. Most of these consequences can be linked to inappropriate treatment, delay in seeking appropriate help, or inaccessible medical care. Misconceptions about the proper treatment of these emergencies abound. Healthcare professionals as a team need to monitor snakebite victims closely, even when they appear to be out of danger, and use the expertise available from local poison control centers.
Obtaining a complete history affords the opportunity to investigate workplace or community exposures that might affect patients’ present and future health.
According to a 2007 Institute of Medicine report, an astonishing 380,000 to 450,000 preventable adverse drug events take place in hospitals annually, causing patients to suffer injury or death. As much as $3.5 billion is spent annually on treatment of these adverse events. This has become not only a quality issue but a financial issue as well, raising concern in the healthcare community and regulatory organizations. This educational activity will review common drug-drug and drug-food interactions, phases of pharmacokinetics, and interventions to improve patient safety and outcomes.
Biological warfare remains a concern in the U.S., which suffered anthrax attacks in 2001.
This module explores the ramifications of bioterrorism and gives an overview of smallpox and botulism, including history, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
Discusses the threat of mercury poisoning in humans in the U.S. and around the world, including signs and symptoms and prevention strategies.
Molds reside with yeasts, mushrooms, and mildews in the fungi kingdom, one of five fundamental kingdoms of living organisms. The other kingdoms are Monera (bacteria), Protista (protozoa), Plantae (plants), and (Animalia) animals. Fungi are ubiquitous and abundant in nature. They make up 25% of the Earth’s biomass (the total mass of living matter) and play a crucial role in the ecosystem by decomposing dead organic matter into its constituent chemicals so that nutrients, such as nitrogen and carbon, can be recycled back into the environment. Estimates of the number of fungal species in the world range from 250,000 to 1.5 million. However, fewer than 100 of these species are known to cause human or animal diseases. Healthcare providers of various disciplines need to know the truth so they can educate their patients. This course provides healthcare providers with up-to-date information on the health effects of exposures to mold in the indoor environment.
About half of American adults age 30 years and older have some degree of periodontal disease, an infection and inflammation of the gums or gingival tissues, bones, and other tissues that surround and support the teeth. The chronic infection and resulting inflammation impose a significant burden to both oral and systemic health. During the past decade, evidence has been mounting to suggest that periodontal disease may contribute to the birth of premature and low-birthweight babies, worsen glycemic control in people with diabetes, and be an factor in cardiovascular and respiratory disease. It also has been linked to certain cancers such as kidney and pancreatic malignancies. Healthcare professionals in various settings who address patients' activities of daily living are well-positioned to improve the oral health — and thus the systemic health — of their patients. This course explains about periodontal disease, risks, and recommendations for proper care.
This course provides healthcare professionals with practical guidelines to assess and manage the care of patients with tinnitus.
Nurses who generally administer blood products must follow facility policy to ensure that they give the correct blood product to the correct patient.
Meniere’s disease affects about 73 of 100,000 Americans. Meniere’s disease is hard to diagnose with certainty; treatment is symptomatic and not always effective. Meniere’s can produce a wide range of symptoms, including vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, aural fullness, and visual difficulties. Despite these challenges, an astute healthcare provider’s prompt recognition, appropriate treatment, and patient education can make a difference in a patient’s hearing, balance, and quality of life. This module describes Meniere’s disease, its symptoms, and its treatments.
Nurses have an obligation to keep abreast of current issues related to the regulation of the practice of nursing not only in their respective states but also across the nation, especially when their nursing practice crosses state borders. Because the practice of nursing is a right granted by a state to protect those who need nursing care, nurses have a duty to patients to practice in a safe, competent, and responsible manner. This requires nurse licensees to practice in conformity with their state statutes and regulations. This course outlines information about nurse practice acts and how they affect nursing practice.
This module informs healthcare professionals of the risks of social networks, which break down the walls separating our personal and professional lives.
Many healthcare professionals view liver function tests as one of the most difficult sets of laboratory tests to interpret. A complex organ, the liver manufactures, stores, alters, and excretes many substances involved in metabolism. The entire body is affected by disease or malfunction of the liver. Clinicians must be informed about these tests, the implications related to patients’ health, and the clinical considerations for care.
This course will help clinicians understand the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of ototoxicity in patients.