Start Program

Completion time: approximately 1 hour

This program is designed for members of the health workforce who are involved in the delivery of intramuscular benzathine benzylpenicillin injections. More information is available in the 2020 Australian guideline for prevention, diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, 3rd edition. On completion of this program, participants will be able to

• define the cause of acute rheumatic fever.
• define rheumatic heart disease.
• define secondary prophylaxis.
• identify the risk of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in the Australian context.
• outline basic rheumatic heart disease pathophysiology.
• identify evidence-based methods to prevent acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
• describe the concept of days at risk
• describe best practice delivery of intramuscular benzathine benzylpenicillin for secondary prophylaxis.
• identify strategies available to manage pain and distress for the person receiving injections.

Professional development recognition is available from:

Australian College of Nursing (1 CPD hour)
Australian College of Midwives (0.75 CPD hour)
ACRRM (1 CPD hour)

Please note: Images and videos have been shared with permission for educational use. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this eLearning program may contain images or voices of people who have died.