Kath Howie
VTS (ECC), RVN
Principal Nurse Manager, Vets Now
CPD with this Speaker
may
Course Details
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
Course Details
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
We will also explore when these monitoring tools may be beneficial compared with when their use might be contraindicated.
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants 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
After completion of this week, participants 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
After completion of this week, participants 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
After completion of this week, participants 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
The course will be fully tutored by Kath Howie and will consist of 10 hours of CPD and will be provided in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case scenarios, forum discussions and quizzes. This course is tutored for 4 weeks, followed by a two week extension of untutored ‘catch up’ time, before the course officially ends.
All delegates will then have unlimited lifetime access to the learning material for future reference
Time
May 20 (Monday) - June 14 (Friday)
Location
Online
Speaker
Kath HowieVTS (ECC), RVN Principal Nurse Manager, Vets Now
june
Course Details
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
Course Details
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
We will also explore when these monitoring tools may be beneficial compared with when their use might be contraindicated.
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants 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
After completion of this week, participants 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
After completion of this week, participants 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
After completion of this week, participants 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
The course will be fully tutored by Kath Howie and will consist of 10 hours of CPD and will be provided in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case scenarios, forum discussions and quizzes. This course is tutored for 4 weeks, followed by a two week extension of untutored ‘catch up’ time, before the course officially ends.
All delegates will then have unlimited lifetime access to the learning material for future reference
Time
May 20 (Monday) - June 14 (Friday)
Location
Online
Speaker
Kath HowieVTS (ECC), RVN Principal Nurse Manager, Vets Now
july
Course Details
Week 1 Transfusion Medicine This week we will look at indications for packed red cell and whole blood transfusions, in both cats and dogs, in the acute
Course Details
Week 1
Transfusion Medicine
This week we will look at indications for packed red cell and whole blood transfusions, in both cats and dogs, in the acute emergency setting. The nurse’s role is vital in this field, including preparing the recipient, blood typing, cross matching and monitoring the recipient. We will cover common reasons for transfusion and patient specific nursing concerns, as well as indications for auto transfusion and xenotransfusion. Common coagulopathies will also be discussed, along with indications for the use of plasma products in small animal patients.
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Select the correct blood product for the individual patient
Understand the monitoring these patients require and patient specific concerns
Explain the different transfusion reactions that can occur and how they are avoided and treated
List the indications for auto transfusion and xenotransfusion
Describe the main coagulopathies we encounter and the treatment options available
Week 2
Acute Kidney Injury
Acute kidney injury is a relatively common presentation in emergency and critical care, however, it can occur for a variety of reasons. This week will look at the conditions that lead to acute kidney injury and how we reach that diagnosis. We will look at treatment options including reviews of the evidence bases in terms of patients that are anuric. The nursing role in these patients is multi- faceted and it is vital we can monitor and nurse these patients effectively.
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Understand the different reasons that AKI develops, including post-surgery, toxin related and obstruction of the urinary tract
Understand the monitoring and nursing requirements of these patients including fluid therapy, acid-base status and how we recognize when they are deteriorating
Explain how we manage anuric patients including evidence reviews of methods to force diuresis
Understand the basics of peritoneal and haemodialysis for these patients and the indications
Week 3
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
DKA is a complex disorder that can be life threatening for our patients, and the nursing team play a large role in the management and recovery of these patients. There are multiple considerations in nursing a patient with DKA that go well beyond administering insulin. We will review common reasons for a patient to develop this endocrine disorder as well as acid- base and electrolyte abnormalities we may see.
These patients need intensive monitoring including repeated blood work so we will discuss how to minimize the impact of this on their welfare. There will also be discussion on the different approaches to administration of insulin and ongoing management of these cases when they are discharged home.
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Recognise the concurrent conditions that may lead to difficulty stabilizing the DKA patient
Understand how we reach the diagnosis and the treatment priorities for these patients
Understand the different approaches to insulin administration as well as the pros and cons of each method
Explain how to prioritise appropriate monitoring for these patients
Week 4
Acute Pancreatitis
The pancreatitis patient is a common presentation to any practice. It is an inflammatory condition that can be classed from mild to severe. We will focus on the nursing care and assessment of the patients requiring hospitalisation for management. Whilst we often consider these patients as just needing a couple of days of supportive care, there are some serious complications that can occur and contribute to mortality.
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Understand common aetiologies in dogs and cats
Review pain management options including drug types and routes of administration
Discuss nutritional support options
Identify complications including development of SIRS
Week 5
Acute Respiratory Distress
These patients present many challenges to us in practice and need some special consideration in terms of monitoring and nursing care. We will look at recognition of the patient in respiratory distress, the potential causes, and our priorities for treatment. We will review the monitoring tools that may be beneficial and our approach to stabilising these patients.
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Prioritise stabilisation techniques based on patient presentation
Determine which method of oxygen supplementation is most appropriate for specific patients
Appreciate the management of patients in brachycephalic crisis
Understand the different approaches to diagnostics and monitoring for these very fragile patients
Week 6
Addisonian Crisis
Known as the “great pretender”, Addison’s disease leads to a potentially life-threatening situation when the patient goes into crisis. Whilst electrolyte abnormalities are present in a typical Addisonian we can see no electrolyte changes in atypical cases. The patient with an Addison’s crisis has multiple abnormalities which we need to monitor and correct. Consideration of management options for these patients as well as resolving the crisis will all be discussed.
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Understand the aetiology, common clinical signs, and effects of this complex disorder
Identify and differentiate a patient that has Addison’s disease, with a patient in an Addisonian crisis
Understand the nursing considerations for these patients in the hospital environment, and appreciate the impact stress hormones have
Identify priorities for treatment and ongoing management
This course will be fully tutored by Kath Howie and will consist of 15 hours of CPD given in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case studies, forum discussions and quizzes. This course is tutored for 6 weeks, followed by a two week extension of untutored ‘catch up’ time, before the course officially ends.
All delegates will then have unlimited lifetime access to the learning material for future reference
Time
July 29 (Monday) - September 6 (Friday)
Location
Online
Speaker
Kath HowieVTS (ECC), RVN Principal Nurse Manager, Vets Now
august
Course Details
Week 1 Transfusion Medicine This week we will look at indications for packed red cell and whole blood transfusions, in both cats and dogs, in the acute
Course Details
Week 1
Transfusion Medicine
This week we will look at indications for packed red cell and whole blood transfusions, in both cats and dogs, in the acute emergency setting. The nurse’s role is vital in this field, including preparing the recipient, blood typing, cross matching and monitoring the recipient. We will cover common reasons for transfusion and patient specific nursing concerns, as well as indications for auto transfusion and xenotransfusion. Common coagulopathies will also be discussed, along with indications for the use of plasma products in small animal patients.
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Select the correct blood product for the individual patient
Understand the monitoring these patients require and patient specific concerns
Explain the different transfusion reactions that can occur and how they are avoided and treated
List the indications for auto transfusion and xenotransfusion
Describe the main coagulopathies we encounter and the treatment options available
Week 2
Acute Kidney Injury
Acute kidney injury is a relatively common presentation in emergency and critical care, however, it can occur for a variety of reasons. This week will look at the conditions that lead to acute kidney injury and how we reach that diagnosis. We will look at treatment options including reviews of the evidence bases in terms of patients that are anuric. The nursing role in these patients is multi- faceted and it is vital we can monitor and nurse these patients effectively.
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Understand the different reasons that AKI develops, including post-surgery, toxin related and obstruction of the urinary tract
Understand the monitoring and nursing requirements of these patients including fluid therapy, acid-base status and how we recognize when they are deteriorating
Explain how we manage anuric patients including evidence reviews of methods to force diuresis
Understand the basics of peritoneal and haemodialysis for these patients and the indications
Week 3
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
DKA is a complex disorder that can be life threatening for our patients, and the nursing team play a large role in the management and recovery of these patients. There are multiple considerations in nursing a patient with DKA that go well beyond administering insulin. We will review common reasons for a patient to develop this endocrine disorder as well as acid- base and electrolyte abnormalities we may see.
These patients need intensive monitoring including repeated blood work so we will discuss how to minimize the impact of this on their welfare. There will also be discussion on the different approaches to administration of insulin and ongoing management of these cases when they are discharged home.
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Recognise the concurrent conditions that may lead to difficulty stabilizing the DKA patient
Understand how we reach the diagnosis and the treatment priorities for these patients
Understand the different approaches to insulin administration as well as the pros and cons of each method
Explain how to prioritise appropriate monitoring for these patients
Week 4
Acute Pancreatitis
The pancreatitis patient is a common presentation to any practice. It is an inflammatory condition that can be classed from mild to severe. We will focus on the nursing care and assessment of the patients requiring hospitalisation for management. Whilst we often consider these patients as just needing a couple of days of supportive care, there are some serious complications that can occur and contribute to mortality.
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Understand common aetiologies in dogs and cats
Review pain management options including drug types and routes of administration
Discuss nutritional support options
Identify complications including development of SIRS
Week 5
Acute Respiratory Distress
These patients present many challenges to us in practice and need some special consideration in terms of monitoring and nursing care. We will look at recognition of the patient in respiratory distress, the potential causes, and our priorities for treatment. We will review the monitoring tools that may be beneficial and our approach to stabilising these patients.
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Prioritise stabilisation techniques based on patient presentation
Determine which method of oxygen supplementation is most appropriate for specific patients
Appreciate the management of patients in brachycephalic crisis
Understand the different approaches to diagnostics and monitoring for these very fragile patients
Week 6
Addisonian Crisis
Known as the “great pretender”, Addison’s disease leads to a potentially life-threatening situation when the patient goes into crisis. Whilst electrolyte abnormalities are present in a typical Addisonian we can see no electrolyte changes in atypical cases. The patient with an Addison’s crisis has multiple abnormalities which we need to monitor and correct. Consideration of management options for these patients as well as resolving the crisis will all be discussed.
Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:
Understand the aetiology, common clinical signs, and effects of this complex disorder
Identify and differentiate a patient that has Addison’s disease, with a patient in an Addisonian crisis
Understand the nursing considerations for these patients in the hospital environment, and appreciate the impact stress hormones have
Identify priorities for treatment and ongoing management
This course will be fully tutored by Kath Howie and will consist of 15 hours of CPD given in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case studies, forum discussions and quizzes. This course is tutored for 6 weeks, followed by a two week extension of untutored ‘catch up’ time, before the course officially ends.
All delegates will then have unlimited lifetime access to the learning material for future reference
Time
July 29 (Monday) - September 6 (Friday)
Location
Online
Speaker
Kath HowieVTS (ECC), RVN Principal Nurse Manager, Vets Now