Immune Deficiency Foundation Launches Free Accredited Course for Nurses About Primary Immunodeficiency and Immunoglobulin Therapy

TOWSON, Md., Sept. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) announced today the availability of a free accredited online continuing education (CE) course for  nurses. The goal of this CE course is to increase the knowledge of nurses by providing an educational update on primary immunodeficiency disease and immunoglobulin therapy.

The IDF is the national patient organization dedicated to improving the diagnosis, treatment and quality of life of persons with primary immunodeficiency diseases through advocacy, education and research.

The five-credit CE course offered by IDF consists of four presentations which will provide a full understanding of immunoglobulin (IG) therapy, primary immunodeficiencies and the difference between subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy (SCIG) and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG), focusing on the nurse's role with these therapies.

"We are delighted to present this continuing education course," said Marcia Boyle, President and Founder of IDF. "It is an initiative of our IDF Nurse Advisory Committee that was established to improve the quality of healthcare and education provided by nurses for patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases. This course fits perfectly with the committee's mission.  It is a unique opportunity for nursing professionals to gain greater expertise in immunoglobulin therapy, which is so important for our patients."

Presentation

Nurses can enjoy the convenience of online education while learning from four distinguished health care professionals:

• Jordan Orange, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
  Presentation: Overview of IG Therapy and Disease States in which it is Utilized
• Mark Ballow, MD, SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo
  Presentation: Primary Immunodeficiencies, Combined T-cell and/or B-cell Immune Defects
• Kristin Epland, MSN, FNP-C, Midwest Immunology Clinic, Plymouth, MN
  Presentation: Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIG)
• M. Elizabeth Younger, CRNP, PhD, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
  Presentation: Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin Therapy (SCIG)

Sponsored by an unrestricted educational grant from CSL Behring, this free online course will help any nurse who is involved with administration and management of immunoglobulin therapy or primary immunodeficiency diseases where immunoglobulin is used.

"Each nurse will walk away from this course with a greater knowledge of primary immunodeficiency and their role treating patients," said Boyle, who founded IDF 30 years ago.  "IDF wants to improve health outcomes and increase optimal treatment for our patients.  We believe this course will help accomplish this."  

Registration

To register for the course, interested nurses can go directly to the course site at : http://primaryimmune.org/healthcare-professionals/continuing-education-course-for-nurses.  In the login prompt, you will be able to register on the site, and then move on to take the course.

About IDF

The Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) was founded in 1980.

On behalf of those with primary immunodeficiency diseases, IDF provides educational programs and materials that offer medical information, guidance about health insurance issues, important life management and patient care resources, and support for patients and family members.  IDF supports advocacy to promote healthcare legislation and policies that positively affect the primary immunodeficiency community, and research and medical programs that improve diagnosis and treatment. More information is available at www.primaryimmune.org.

SOURCE Immune Deficiency Foundation