NAPNAP 2012: Highlights from the 33rd Annual Conference on Pediatric Health Care

Today starts the four-day event, 33rd Annual Conference on Pediatric Health Care happening in San Antonio, TX. Celebrating Pediatric Nurse Practitioner's Week, this conference is focusing on providing health care professionals, industry representatives, and pediatric nurse practitioners with the latest updates in pediatric health care and the opportunity to earn more that 21 educational credits.

Conference objectives:

• Break through new frontiers in the emerging science of health care for children.
• Advocate for current issues and priorities related to children's health care and professional practice.
• Exchange innovative ideas and experiences with professional colleagues from a variety of pediatric health care settings.
• Identify current evidence-based approaches for the diagnosis and management of multiple pediatric health care issues.
• Strengthen clinical and technical skills in a variety of practice settings.

Sessions worth attending:

Thursday, March 29

Pediatric Immunization Update

10:15AM-11:15AM

William Atkinson, MD, MPH

Immunization recommendations continue to change. Back by popular demand, Dr. Atkinson, from the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will advise practitioners about pertinent issues in pediatric and adolescent immunizations. Current controversies, the recommended schedule, clarification of the guidelines and an update of newly licensed vaccines will be highlighted. Individual concerns will be addressed with a question and answer session.

Click here for speaker handout

Friday, March 30

Evaluation and Management of Children and Adolescents with Seizures and Epilepsy

1:15PM-3:30PM

Juanita C. Dale, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC

Objectives for this session are to:

• "Delineate appropriate diagnostic studies for the evaluation of febrile seizures and new onset seizures based on evidence based practice guidelines."
• "Discuss appropriate anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) and potential side effects that should be considered when prescribing AEDs."
• "Describe impact of seizures and epilepsy on the child and adolescent's school performance and psychosocial functioning."

Click here for speaker handout

The Surgical Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Optimizing Practice

1:15PM-2:15PM

Debbie Thompson, MS, RN, CNS, PNP-BC

Objectives for this session are to:

• "Discuss characteristics of ASD on their influence on a child's ability to cope in the medical or surgical environment"
• "Evaluate opportunities to individualize medical routines, examinations and procedures for autistic children and teens based on their coping strategies and response to stressors"

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Saturday, March 31

Hepatitis A: Where Are We Now?

10:45AM-11:45AM

Fernando A. Guerra, MD, MPH

Objectives for this session include:

• Providing "a reintroduction to Hepatitis A"
• Reviewing clinical features
• Considering "source of infection and risk factors"
• Preventing "infection, and measures to limit spread"
• Vaccination recommendations
• Case studies and accomplishments

Click here for speaker handout

Other helpful information

All 2012 presentation handouts available for one year at the conclusion of the meeting

Full registration brochure