Online Bioterrorism Training Course to Train Clinical Laboratories How to Respond to Public Health Threat.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

Topical News: War On Terrorism 

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 23, 2003

Acadient Develops First of Its Kind Interactive Program for the

Association of Public Health Laboratories 

The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) introduced the first online, bioterrorism education program for clinical laboratory professionals today at a meeting of the World Health Organization.

Boston-based Acadient, in collaboration with APHL and the Massachusetts State Laboratory Institute, developed this critical tool to strengthen preparedness and response to the terrorist threat.

Acadient, a leading developer and distributor of online education, was chosen to create an e-learning program that would supplement laboratory-based training of microbiologists and other health professionals who are responsible for surveillance, detection and early warning of a bioterrorism attack.

APHL represents governmental laboratories in the United States and across the world that work to protect public health and safety. The association is a respected source of expertise in laboratory practice and policy.

The newly developed course will be field tested in Massachusetts during the next two months. This tool will provide an efficient means to strengthen the ability of the public health and clinical laboratory systems to identify biologic threats by timely detection of suspicious test results in hospital and clinical laboratories. This is the first line of an early warning system for recognition of an outbreak or bioterrorism event.

"It's an honor to work with The State Laboratory Institute and be at the forefront of bioterrorism education," said Greg Titus, president, Acadient. "This course can be used as a prototype for other local, state and worldwide healthcare organizations that need to prepare laboratory professionals to respond to agents of bioterrorism. E-learning is an ideal way to learn, especially for busy professionals, as it can be done anytime and anywhere a student has access to the Internet."

"We see a need for more efficient delivery of training to supplement intensive, and time consuming wet lab training. Laboratory professionals in clinical settings must be prepared to handle a bioterrorist event. Acadient's e-learning program will allow us to train laboratory professionals rapidly and at a comparatively low cost," said Scott Becker, Executive Director of APHL.

Titled the "Agents of Bioterrorism," the interactive program is designed for microbiologists, medical technologists, doctors, nurses and academics.

The Internet-based course focuses on testing for the agents that cause four bacterial diseases considered of highest concern for bioterrorism: Bacillus anthracis (anthrax), Francisella tularensis (tularemia), Yersenia pestis (plague), and Brucella species (brucellosis). Coursework includes case studies and follow-up questions that help students learn how to recognize test results that may indicate bioterrorism-related illnesses, and how to perform presumptive testing and notify public health authorities. In addition, students learn how to safely handle, package and ship cultures to health agencies.

The course work takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. Upon completion, students receive a certificate and continuing education credit. By developing this template for online training, it demonstrates the practical application of Acadient's technology platform.

Massachusetts is one of the first states to create this type of programming, as state and local governments across the country are preparing for bioterrorism threats.

Currently, the United States Congress has funded major programs to strengthen the country's infrastructure to be prepared for and respond to bioterrorism. This is a broad-based federal effort with involvement of CDC, NIH, FDA, EPA, and DOE as well as the newly formed Department of Homeland Security. Significant funding for innovative projects is being awarded by federal agencies to state and local governments, academic institutions and private companies to develop better systems and tools that support efforts to protect the public from terrorism.

About Acadient

Based in Boston, Acadient is a leading developer and distributor of multimedia, interactive education for financial services and other industries. The company develops, hosts, and manages e-learning courseware, Web casts, and private-label online universities for industry organizations worldwide. The company's team of technology and instructional design experts provide customized courseware for personalized e-learning solutions. Acadient partners with premier industry and academic organizations including the National Investment Company Service Association (NICSA), Pearson Education, The National Underwriter Company and Boston University. Visit www.Acadient.com for more information.