NEWS > EVENTS ARCHIVE
Grand Rounds in Colorado
Cori Ofstead presented at the Penrose St. Francis Health Services Grand Rounds in Colorado on September 10, 2009. Her topic was "How Can Health Care Workers Contribute to Public Health Initiatives? A Focus on Influenza Prevention (Seasonal and Pandemic)".
Ofstead & Associates mentioned in Healthcare Purchasing News
Findings from the CLEANR study performed by Ofstead & Associates were mentioned in the August 2009 edition of Healthcare Purchasing News. The article, entitled “Endoscope Processing Errors More Widespread” talks about the lack of adherence to reprocessing guidelines.
To read the entire article, please visit: http://content.yudu.com/A1cakk/0909-HPN/resources/32.htm
2009 National Influenza Vaccine Summit Meeting, June 29-July 1
Cori Ofstead presented at the 2009 National Influenza Vaccine Summit meeting in Dallas, Texas. She presented two different presentations entitled, “Persons Working in Healthcare Setting and Influenza Immunization: What’s Happening Nationally” and “How do Nurses make Decisions about Influenza?” on Tuesday, June 30.
For more information about the conference, and to learn more about influenza, please visit: http://www.preventinfluenza.org/
To view the entire agenda, please visit: http://www.preventinfluenza.org/summits/2009/Summit_2009_agenda.pdf
2009 SGNA Conference, May 15-20
Cori Ofstead and Alycea Snyder recently presented at the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA) in St. Louis, Missouri. Their presentation entitled “Automated Endoscope Reprocessing Methods: Real World Effectiveness and Efficiency” recounted findings from a national, multi-site study performed by Ofstead & Associates.
To learn more about the SGNA conference, please visit: http://www.sgna.org/
Cori Ofstead Cited in 2008 ACIP Guideline
We are pleased to announce that an article by Cori Ofstead, MSPH (Principal Investigator) and her co-investigators at the Mayo Clinic was cited in the Center for Disease Control’s 2008 Prevention and Control of Influenza, Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). On page 24 of the Guideline, the authors cited the study by Ofstead et al. (2008) after a statement about beliefs that health care workers reported for declining vaccination (e.g. doubts about influenza risk, the need for vaccination, vaccine effectiveness concerns, side effects, and not liking injections).
If you would like to read the full Guideline, it is available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5707.pdf or at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr57e717a1.htm
Consortium on Law and Values in Health,
Environment & The Life Sciences
On March 6, 2009, Research Assistants Kayla Dean and Megan Schlossmacher attended the “What’s Next in Law, Health & The Life Sciences? Debating Openness, Access & Accountability” conference at the University of Minnesota.
For more information, please visit: http://www.lifesci.consortium.umn.edu/conferences/2009_whatsnext
Hand Hygiene Presentation
Recently, a group of elementary school students attended a pro-bono hand hygiene presentation given by Cori Ofstead and Research Associate Alycea Snyder, where they learned about how germs are spread and the importance hand washing.
Diabetes Care
Harry Wetzler and Cori Ofstead, along with their co-authors at the International Diabetes Center have written a manuscript about diabetes care that was published in the December issue of Population Health Management. The citation and link to the journal is listed below:
Mazze RS, Powers MA, Wetzler HP, Ofstead CL. Partners in Advancing Care and Education Solutions Study: Impact on Processes and Outcomes of Diabetes Care. Population Health Management. December 2008;11(6): 297-305.
A link to the journal, Population Health Management can be found here: http://www.liebertonline.com/loi/pop
2008 Annual APHA Conference
Cori will be in San Diego, CA at the end of October to attend the 2008 Annual APHA Conference.
APIC Calls for Mandatory Influenza Vaccination
for Health Care Workers
The Association of Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) released a statement requiring all health care workers to get vaccinated against influenza. The position statement paper can be found on APIC's website, or by this direct link
UMR's Lunch-n-Learn
Cori Ofstead was invited to participate in the University of Minnesota, Rochester's new Lunch-n-Learn series on April 16, 2008.
Health Educator Conference
Cori Ofstead also presented at the Health Educator Conference in Rochester, MN. On Thursday, April 17, 2008, Ms. Ofstead gave a presentation entitled, "Why don't patients take their medications as prescribed? Medical decision-making and practical barriers to adherence."
Mayo Clinic's Influenza Prevention Survey
Cori Ofstead and her co-authors at the Mayo Clinic have written two manuscripts about the results of their influenza prevention survey. Citations and links for these publications are listed below:
Ofstead CL, Tucker SJ, Beebe TJ, Poland GA. Influenza Vaccination Among Registered Nurses: Information Receipt, Knowledge, and Decision-Making at an Institution with a Multifaceted Educational Program. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. February 2008;29(2):99-106.
Poland GA, Ofstead CL, Tucker SJ, Beebe TJ. Receptivity to Mandatory Influenza Vaccination Policies for Healthcare Workers Among Registered Nurses Working on Inpatient Units. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. February 2008;29(2):170-173.
A commentary entitled "Improving Rates of Influenza Vaccination Among Healthcare Workers: Educate; Motivate; Mandate?" by Thomas R. Talbot, MD, MPH; and two other influenza articles are also featured in the February 2008 issue.
A link to the journal, Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, can be found here: http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/toc/iche/current
To request reprints, please contact Cheri Hart at the Mayo Clinic. She can be reached by e-mail at Hart.Cheryl@mayo.edu.
In addition, a brief article about influenza vaccination by Cori Ofstead and Gregory A. Poland, MD will be published in the January edition of Minnesota Physician.
Ofstead CL, Poland GA. Influenza vaccination and health care workers. Minnesota Physician. January 2008;21(10):38-42.
Insulin Management
Cori Ofstead and Harry Wetzler are also co-authors on a manuscript that has been accepted for publication by the journal Insulin. The principal investigator is Dr. Lisa Fish, an endocrinologist at Park Nicollet's International Diabetes Center.
A link to the issue in the journal, Insulin, can be found here: http://insulinjournal.com/Journal/Volume-3-Issue-2.asp
Fish LH, Wetzler HP, Davidson JL, Ofstead CL, Johnson ML. Advanced Insulin Management Program Reduces A1C Levels and Regimen-Related Distress Without Weight Gain in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Insulin. April 2008;3(2): 59-66.
Cori Ofstead Presented at MCAI
On March 7, 2008, Cori Ofstead gave a presentation at the 17th Annual Minnesota Coalition for Adult Immunization (MCAI) conference. The focus of this year's conference was "Issues and Strategies in Adult Vaccine Preventable Diseases." Ms. Ofstead participated in a panel about the Vaccination of Health Care Workers, and her presentation focused on the results of the Influenza Prevention Survey at Mayo Clinic.
To view the brochure, please visit the following link:
http://www.stratishealth.org/clientuploads/pdfs/ET_MCAI2008brochure_021808.pdf
Got Your Shots?
On October 11, 2007, Ms. Ofstead presented at the 2007 immunization conference organized by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Ms. Ofstead delivered a presentation about influenza vaccination among healthcare workers.
The two-day conference, entitled "Got Your Shots?" brought together public and private partners to explore issues related to vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization. To view Ms. Ofstead's slides, please visit the MDH website.
Minnesota Health Care Roundtable
Minnesota Physician Publishing (MPP) presented the 27th session of the Minnesota Health Care Roundtable on Thursday, June 28, 2007. The theme of this session is "Universal Health Insurance: Incentives or Mandates?"
Please visit the MPP website for more details.
BHCAG Employer Leadership Summit
On June 21, 2007, the Buyers Health Care Action Group (BHCAG) hosted its inaugural Employer Leadership Summit: Healthy Living and Healthy Working - Employers Helping Employees to Better Health.
For more information, visit the BHCAG website.
Cori Ofstead presented at American Lung Association Conference
In April 2007, Ms. Ofstead delivered a presentation about practical barriers to medication adherence, and led a session about customizing treatment plans and adherence solutions based on patient characteristics.
The all-day conference, entitled Piecing the Adherence Puzzle Together, focused on issues that impact treatment and outcomes for chronic conditions.
Recent Ofstead Publication:
Fighting The Flu Can Boost Your Bottom Line
Ofstead & Associates core staff Cori Ofstead, Caralyn Champa, and April Haven wrote an article that was published in a special supplement to the October 9, 2006 print edition of the Birmingham Business Journal. The article contains important information about the impact of influenza vaccination on workforce productivity and labor costs. Click here to open the PDF article in a new window.
Recent Appointment
Cori Ofstead appointed to HPM Bootcamp faculty
Ofstead & Associates CEO Cori Ofstead, MSPH has been appointed to the adjunct faculty of HPM (Health & Productivity Management) Bootcamp. According to their website, HPM Bootcamp will be conducting a nationwide series of continuing education courses for clinicians, policymakers, and HR professionals.
Meeting of the Prospective Medicine Group in Dallas, TX
Shown (from left to right): Harry Wetzler, Geoff Alexander, Gerry Hyner, Ed Framer, Ron Blankenbaker, Cori Ofstead.
Society of Prospective Medicine Conference (2000)
Society of Prospective Medicine Board Members Cori Ofstead and Geoff Alexander met with former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop at the Society's 36th Annual Conference held September 23-26, 2000 in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Koop advocates the formation of a new graduate program of "public health & prospective medicine". In addition, he proposes that a new Cabinet position be established for a "Secretary of Health", focused entirely on health, wellness, and medical issues facing the U.S. population.