Taking ECC Nursing to the Next Level
A four week online tutored CPD course with Kath Howie
Week 1
Monitoring Modalities
There are many advanced monitoring tools and nursing interventions that can be used in our patients, however, a key part of this is deciding when it is appropriate to employ them. We will discuss and compare different monitoring tools that we have available, including:
- Blood pressure monitoring – invasive versus non-invasive
- Central venous pressure
- ECG
- Blood gases – venous versus arterial
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Determine which patients would benefit from more intensive monitoring
- Understand how to conduct each kind of monitoring and explain the information we can obtain
- Understand the difference between arterial blood pressure monitoring and central venous pressure
- Understand the complications of using the more invasive monitoring tools
Week 2
Tubes and Drains
Various tubes and drains are commonly used in critically ill ICU patients, and it is vital we understand how to manage these safely and effectively. We will look at a variety of different tubes and drains including Jackson Pratt drains and active grenades, thoracic tubes, tracheostomy tubes and pericardiocentesis catheters among others.
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Understand the different drains and their functions
- Safely manage and nurse patients with various types of tubes
- Understand the complications that may occur with various interventions
- Confidently troubleshoot drain management
Week 3
Cardiovascular Support
Sometimes fluids just aren’t enough! There are a variety of issues we can encounter with our critically ill patients and cardiovascular support and monitoring becomes an important aspect of the RVN’s role. We will look at the different causes of cardiovascular instability and how we can address those including the use of vasopressors and inotropes.
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Understand the methods of monitoring that can assist with determining both low and high-volume states
- Identify cases where the use of vasopressors and inotropes are indicated
- Explain the different conditions that lead to changes in cardiovascular function
- Understand the ECG assessment and recognise the main life threatening abnormalities
Week 4
Constant Rate Infusions
Constant rate infusions are commonly used in the ICU, and it is really useful for RVN’s to be able to calculate these dosages. Whilst the maths can sometimes seem baffling, if you understand the basics, it is a very useful skill. CRIs are very beneficial for many of our patients and are attainable in any practice with an infusion pump.
Learning objectives:
By the end of this week, delegates should be able to:
- Calculate ANY CRI from scratch!
- Understand the benefits and issues associated with use of CRIs
- Understand multimodal analgesia options for critically ill patients
Taking ECC Nursing to the Next Level
Course progress
Online CPD for Vet Nurses
Excel CPD specialises in providing online CPD for veterinary nurses and technicians all over the globe. Our courses are also fully approved by AVNAT for our nursing colleagues in Australia and New Zealand.