Goal

This course is designed for WIC personnel and other health care providers participating in hematological data collection and assessment. The goals of the course are to:

• Increase awareness of related state policy and additional references.
• Reinforce appropriate hematological data collection technique.
• Enhance ability to critically think about hematological data assessment.

Intended Audience

The examples provided in this course and some topics are specific to WIC, but much of the course is applicable to all health professionals who complete hematological assessments. The course will provide basic information for hemoglobin testing as well as critical thinking application of data assessment.

Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals Identified:

Domain 1: Analytical/Assessment Skills

• 1A5. Selects valid and reliable data
• 1A6. Selects comparable data (e.g., data being age-adjusted to the same year, data variables across datasets having similar definitions)
• 1A9. Describes public health applications of quantitative and qualitative data

Domain 2: Policy Development/Program Planning Skills

• 2A7. Describes implications of policies, programs, and services

Length

The length of time for participants to take this course is estimated to be 2 hours.

• Intro and pre-test: 20 min
• Section 1: 20 min
• Section 2: 20 min
• Section 3: 20 min
• Section 4: 20 min
• Post-test and Evaluation: 20 min

Course Content

There are four sections in this course:

Section 1: State Policy – Collection Schedule
Section 2: Collection Technique/Universal Precautions
Section 3: Hemoglobin Reference Ranges and Related Health Conditions
Section 4: Critical Thinking Application of Hematological Data Collection and Assessment

There are review questions at the end of each section. These review questions will provide you with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills presented in these sections. There is also a "Glossary" page that will help you with some of significant phrases. There is a post-test at the end of the course.

For a full description of requirements for receiving a Certificate of Completion, please go to the Certificate of Completion page.

CEU Information

This course no longer provides continuing education by the Iowa Board of Nursing and the Commission on Dietetic Registration

Acknowledgement

The following organizations collaborated on the development of this course: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service; Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH)- Iowa WIC Program; University of Iowa College of Public Health, Institute for Public Health Practice (IPHP); and Upper Midwest Public Health Training Center (UMPHTC).