WSA Spring Conference

Save the Date for the Spring Conference!!

We are pleased to announce our guest speaker, A.U. Bankaitis, for our Spring Conference on April 19, 2008 (location to be determined). Dr. Bankaitis will discuss cerumen management and infection control.

Did you know that according to WAC 246-828-510, one of the required thirty hours of the continuing education requirement must be on the topic of infection control? For more details, refer to http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=246-828-510
Completion of the Spring Conference will meet this Washington State licensure requirement!

Cerumen Management Course Summary:
Audiologists provide a variety of services that require the patients ear to be relatively free of cerumen as significant amounts will interfere with diagnostic, rehabilitative, and/or hearing aid dispensing procedures. As such, cerumen removal has become a more important practice management issue as it is a critical component to the overall hearing health care management process. This course is designed to address core issues related to cerumen management including a review of ear canal anatomy and physiology, the pathophysiology of cerumen, instrumentation, equipment considerations, and cerumen removal techniques. This course will integrate a 25 minute video illustrating proper cerumen removal techniques, exposing participants to observational experience in cerumen removal. Basic information regarding billing, informed consent, and state licensure will also be discussed.

Planned Learning Outcomes:
Participants will be able to identify 3 specific techniques available for removing cerumen, including removal strategies associated with each technique
Participants will be able to identify 2 specific instruments and/or pieces of equipment associated with each cerumen removal technique
Participants will be able identify3 potential contraindications for cerumen removal

Infection Control Course Objectives:
The objectives of this course involve a thorough review of the following:
Influence of HIV on infection control
Application of infection control in the clinical environment
Recommended guidelines for implementing an infection control plan

Planned Learning Outcomes:
Participants will be able to identify 3 reasons why infection control is necessary in the audiology clinic
Participants will be able to list 3 specific procedures for which infection control protocols must be implemented
Participants will be able to generate a step-by-step infection control protocol based on individual and interactive group activities implemented during the course

Schedule:

8:30-9:00- Breakfast/Vendor booths

9:00-10:30-Cerumen Management (AU Bankaitis)

10:30-11:00-Break/Vendor booths

11:00-12:30-Cerumen Management (AU Bankaitis)

12:30-1:00-Lunch

1-2:00-Infection Control (AU Bankaitis)

2-2:30-AAA updates (Thomas Littman, Ph.D.)
American Academy of Audiology Board Member

2:30-3:30 Vendor presentations

3:30 End of conference

We hope to see you all there! Watch for your registration brochure early in 2008. Be sure your address is up-to-date!