Prometric Monitoring Issues Related To Swine Flu

Prometric, whose testing centers ABPANC uses for delivering the CPAN® and CAPA® certification examiantions, is monitoring both the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control websites for current updates and accurate information regarding Swine Flu.

The following information comes from Elizabeth Flesher, Prometric's Client Services Manager, Professional Services:

"At this time, Prometric has made the decision not to proactively close any of its test centers and will continue to conduct its business as usual. We are monitoring the situation location by location. Working with our “on the ground” staff and the local governments in impacted areas, we make decisions that would be in the best interest of our employees, clients and their candidates. We will use this same model in the current situation to decide whether it is appropriate to close any given test site.

If a site is closed, whether by Prometric, by a third party center owner, or at the suggestion of local government in an impacted area, Prometric will communicate that to ABPANC and Professional Examination Service, and our contact center teams will proactively reach out to your candidates to reschedule their examinations. In addition, Prometric posts updated information about site closures for candidates on our website at the following link: http://www.prometric.com/ImportantNews.htm This page can be reached from the home page of our website as well.

Although the Centers for Disease Control have communicated that the wearing of masks is only minimally effective in virus prevention, wearing them does seem to be providing peace of mind to some people. We have therefore decided to allow candidates to wear medical face masks during their examinations if they choose. Please note that Prometric reserves the right to require every candidate wearing a mask to temporarily remove it for inspection prior to being allowed in the testing room.

Candidates will also be required to remove it to have their photograph taken. Only then will they be allowed in the test room. Prometric will not provide masks to candidates who request them.

We have instructed our test center administrators to test any and all candidates who appear for an examination as it is inappropriate for them to attempt to make judgments about the health of candidates. If a candidate feels they are well enough to test, they will be permitted to test without question. On our website, we will advise candidates to reschedule their examinations if they are ill. As an added precautionary measure, we have also instructed TCAs to increase the frequency at which they clean and disinfect workstations. We will be making an increased supply of disinfectant hand wipes and other sanitizing materials available to test centers to help facilitate a sterile environment and reduce any germ transmission.

Help us to assure your safety and the safety of other candidates during this current bout of influenza by rescheduling your examination if you are ill or experiencing flu-like symptoms. Remember, that if you have had the flu, you may be contagious for a period of up to seven days after your fever or symptoms have resolved. All candidates are reminded to observe universal precautions while at a test center such as hand washing, covering your nose and mouth, if coughing or sneezing, and placing any used tissues in appropriate containers."