Invisible Enemies

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Course Objectives
  1. Identify high-risk pathogens relevant to U.S. phlebotomy and hospital settings.
  2. Explain transmission modes and diagnostic testing for each.
  3. Apply infection control practices and safety protocols.
  4. Analyze case scenarios to reinforce proper phlebotomy responses to infectious risk.

Course Content
Course Creator: Nichelle Volker RMA
Total CE Hours: 1 Credit Hour 
Pace Course #: 586-2415-25

Key Terms:
  • Antibody test
  • Antigen test
  • Biosafety Levels
  • Culture & Sensitivity
  • Multidrug-Resistent Organisms
  • Nosocomial Infections
  • Pathogen
  • PCR
  • PEP
  • Standard Precautions
  • Vector

Outline:
  • Introduction
    • Why Pathogen Awareness Matters in US Healthcare
      • HAI/Nosocomial Infections
      •  Early detection and containment
    •  Types of Pathogens 
      • Viruses
      •  Bacteria
      •  Fungi
      •  Parasites
    •  HAI 
      • Common sources of infection
      •  Phlebotomy relevance
      •  Biosafety Levels and Lab Precautions
  • Viruses of Concerns
    • HIV
      • What, where, symptoms, and spread
      •  Testing methods
      •  Disease progression
      •  Why it makes the list
    •  Viral Hepatitis
      • What, where, symptoms, and spread
      •  Testing methods- HBV
      •  Testing methods- HCV
      •  Why they make the list
      •  Needlestick exposure scenario (slide 32)
  • Dangerous Bacterial Pathogens
    • Mycobacterium Tuberculosis 
      • What, where, symptoms, and spread
      • Risk
      • Testing methods
      • Why it makes the list
    • Clostridium Botulinum
      • What, where, symptoms, and spread
      • Testing methods
      • Why it makes the list
    • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus 
      • What, where, symptoms, and spread
      • Hospital vs Community Strains
      • Treatment challenges
      • Testing methods
      • Why it makes the list
    • Escherichia coli 
    • What, where, symptoms, and spread
    •  Risk
    •  Testing methods
    •  Why it makes the list
    •  Contamination Risk scenario (slide 55)
  • Fungal Pathogens
    • Candida Auris
      • What, where, symptoms, and spread 
      • Testing methods
      •  Why it makes the list
    • Aspergillus fumigatus 
      • What, where, symptoms, and spread
      •  Testing methods
      •  Why it makes the list 
      • Phlebotomist and Aspergillus Exposure Scenario (slide 68)
  • Dangerous Parasitic Pathogens
    • Toxoplasma gondii
      • What, where, symptoms, and spread
      •  Testing methods
      •  Why it makes the list
    • Giardia Lamblia
      • What, where, symptoms, and spread
      •  Testing methods
      •  Why it makes the list
      •  Indirect exposure risk scenario (slide 81)
  • Recap/Review/Conclusion

 
References: 
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  30.  (n.d.). The evolutionary history of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). National Library of Medicine. Retrieved July 23, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC124322
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