Subject: Emergency & Critical Care

Week 1

Triage assessment of the trauma patient and stabilisation of the emergency patient

Carrying out an effective triage assessment and the RVN’s role

Major body system assessment

Approach to dysfunction of the cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological systems

Practical considerations for managing the emergency patient stabilisation

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

Will be able to correctly identify a patient with dysfunction of a major body system

Confidently triage and assess an emergency patient

Recognise the approach to dysfunction of different major body systems and stabilisation techniques utilised for emergency patients

Appreciate specific nursing considerations for the emergency presentation

 

Week 2

Urethral obstruction

Identification of the patient with urethral obstruction

Stabilisation techniques

Evidence-based discussion on emergency management, fluid types and analgesia options.

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

Will have taken part in case based discussions

Be able to identify the patient’s condition and the pathophysiology alongside potential complicating factors such as co-morbidities

Understand how to correct fluid deficits and identifying the difference between hypovolemia and dehydration

Participate in acid-base and electrolyte discussions, including how to address hypo and hyperkalemia

Appreciate the specific nursing considerations for patients with urethral obstruction

 

Week 3

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Presentation and initial emergency management

Acid base balance and electrolyte abnormalities

Pathophysiology of diabetic ketoacidosis and complicating factors

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

Will have taken part in case based discussions

Be able to identify the patient’s condition and the pathophysiology alongside potential complicating factors such as co-morbidities

Understand how to correct fluid deficits and identifying the difference between hypovolemia and dehydration

Participate in acid-base and electrolyte discussions, including how to address hypo and hyperkalemia

Appreciate the specific nursing considerations for patients with DKA

 

Week 4

The acute abdomen – surgical cases

Pre-anaesthesia stabilisation and assessment

Analgesia choices in the critically ill patient

Peri-operative and recovery periods

Nursing specific concerns post operatively

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

Will be able to develop a pre-anesthetic plan and discuss suitable stabilisation as well as attribute an ASA score

Be able to complete with confidence a surgical checklist and identify areas of concern

Understand analgesia choices, the options we have including CRIS, local and regional techniques

Engage in cased based presentations, including abdominal foreign bodies and gastric dilatation and volvulus

 

Week 5

The acute abdomen – non-surgical cases

Analgesia and pain scoring

Non-surgical versus surgical patients

SIRS and DIC

Nutritional support

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

Understand pain scoring and the importance of using validated methods

Understand analgesia choices, the options we have including CRIS, local and regional techniques

How to decide if a patient is surgical or non-surgical, especially in the case of traumatic haemoabdomen

Understand the pathophysiology behind systemic inflammatory response syndromes and disseminated intravascular coagulation and how to identify the early indications of development of these syndromes

 

Week 6

Acute gastrointestinal disease

Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis including
parvovirus

Fluid therapy

Antibiosis

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

Identify appropriate approaches to fluid replacement including discussion of the use of crystalloids and colloids in the patient with AHDS.

Appreciate the importance of nutrition in the patient with acute gastro-intestinal disease and how we can provide that

Potential complications that may occur, including sepsis

Rational use of antibiotics using evidence bases

 

The course will be fully tutored by Kath Howie and will consist of 15 hours of CPD given in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case scenarios, forum discussions and quizzes.

 

Click here for further details

Week 1

Recumbency nursing

Common causes for recumbency

Nursing the recumbent patient

Common complications associated with recumbency

Learning outcomes:

After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

List some of the common causes for recumbency and how these conditions may be treated

Discuss the nursing considerations for the recumbent patient and how these can be implemented to help support the patient during their recovery whilst hospitalised

Describe the common complications associated with recumbency and how these can be prevent whilst the patient is hospitalised

 

Week 2

Sepsis

What is SIRS / sepsis?

How to recognise sepsis in dogs

How to recognise sepsis in cats

Sepsis bundles

Recent sepsis research in human medicine

Learning outcomes:

After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Know the definitions of SIRS / sepsis and the difference between them

List the patient observations used to help us be able to recognise sepsis in the dog

List the patient observations used to help us be able to recognise sepsis in the cat

Understand what a sepsis bundle is, and when they can be used in practice

Understand the recent research into sepsis in human medicine and how this impacts us in veterinary practice

 

Week 3

Nutrition in the hospitalised patient

Why is nutrition important

Who needs nutrition

When should nutrition be started

Creating a nutrition plan

Assisted feeding options

Learning outcomes:

After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand why nutrition is important for the recovery of hospitalised patients

Identify patients in needs of nutrition

Discuss when is the appropriate time to start nutrition in their hospitalised patient

Describe how to create a feeding plan including patient assessment, calculation of RER and implementation of the nutritional plan

List the common assisted feeding techniques and understand the indications and contraindications of each

 

Week 4

Acid Base/Electrolytes

What is acid / base?

What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes – Sodium

Electrolytes – Potassium
Electrolytes – Calcium

Glucose

Learning outcomes:

After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Explain acid / base status

Understand which electrolytes we can measure in veterinary practice and why

Identify when a patient may become hypo or hypernatraemic, and describe the treatments that may benefit them

Identify when a patient may become hypo or hyperkalaemic, and describe the treatments that may benefit them

Identify why a patient may be hypo or hypercalcaemic, and describe the treatments that may benefit them

Identify why a patient may be hypo or hyper glycaemic, and describe the treatments that may benefit them

 

Week 5

Infection Control

How to create an infection control plan for the clinic:

Assigning an infection control champion

Identify and develop protocols

Make an assessment

Staff education and training plan

Surveillance and compliance

Learning outcomes:

After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Identify an infection control champion in practice and understand their role in the infection control plan

Discuss the common infection control protocols required in practice to minimise the spread of pathogens

Understand how to make an assessment of the protocols already in place and identify their strengths and weaknesses

Explain the importance of staff education and training when implementing infection control protocols

List the common surveillance techniques to ensure compliance to the infection control plan

 

Week 6

End of Life Care / Clinical Governance

Euthanasia

Palliative care

Mental health awareness

Clinical governance in practice

Learning outcomes:

After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand the reasons vets and clients consider euthanasia, and learn ways to ensure the experience can be made as peaceful and calm as possible in practice for all involved

Understand the reasons that clients may choose to consider palliative care, and how we can help ensure the patients are comfortable within our role as veterinary nurses

Understand the impact euthanasia and the death of a pet can affect both the family of the patient and the veterinary staff involved

Understand the mental health implications of veterinary medicine on the team, and ways in which we can help our team and ourselves to cope

Describe what clinical governance is, what is discussed and why it may be beneficial to the practice to start holding these meetings in your practice

 

The course will be fully tutored by Elle Haskey and Katie Gray, and will consist of 15 hours of CPD given in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case studies, forum discussions and quizzes.

Click here for further details

Week 1

Recumbency nursing

Common causes for recumbency

Nursing the recumbent patient

Common complications associated with recumbency

Learning outcomes:

After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

List some of the common causes for recumbency and how these conditions may be treated

Discuss the nursing considerations for the recumbent patient and how these can be implemented to help support the patient during their recovery whilst hospitalised

Describe the common complications associated with recumbency and how these can be prevent whilst the patient is hospitalised

 

Week 2

Sepsis

What is SIRS / sepsis?

How to recognise sepsis in dogs

How to recognise sepsis in cats

Sepsis bundles

Recent sepsis research in human medicine

Learning outcomes:

After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Know the definitions of SIRS / sepsis and the difference between them

List the patient observations used to help us be able to recognise sepsis in the dog

List the patient observations used to help us be able to recognise sepsis in the cat

Understand what a sepsis bundle is, and when they can be used in practice

Understand the recent research into sepsis in human medicine and how this impacts us in veterinary practice

 

Week 3

Nutrition in the hospitalised patient

Why is nutrition important

Who needs nutrition

When should nutrition be started

Creating a nutrition plan

Assisted feeding options

Learning outcomes:

After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand why nutrition is important for the recovery of hospitalised patients

Identify patients in needs of nutrition

Discuss when is the appropriate time to start nutrition in their hospitalised patient

Describe how to create a feeding plan including patient assessment, calculation of RER and implementation of the nutritional plan

List the common assisted feeding techniques and understand the indications and contraindications of each

 

Week 4

Acid Base/Electrolytes

What is acid / base?

What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes – Sodium

Electrolytes – Potassium
Electrolytes – Calcium

Glucose

Learning outcomes:

After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Explain acid / base status

Understand which electrolytes we can measure in veterinary practice and why

Identify when a patient may become hypo or hypernatraemic, and describe the treatments that may benefit them

Identify when a patient may become hypo or hyperkalaemic, and describe the treatments that may benefit them

Identify why a patient may be hypo or hypercalcaemic, and describe the treatments that may benefit them

Identify why a patient may be hypo or hyper glycaemic, and describe the treatments that may benefit them

 

Week 5

Infection Control

How to create an infection control plan for the clinic:

Assigning an infection control champion

Identify and develop protocols

Make an assessment

Staff education and training plan

Surveillance and compliance

Learning outcomes:

After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Identify an infection control champion in practice and understand their role in the infection control plan

Discuss the common infection control protocols required in practice to minimise the spread of pathogens

Understand how to make an assessment of the protocols already in place and identify their strengths and weaknesses

Explain the importance of staff education and training when implementing infection control protocols

List the common surveillance techniques to ensure compliance to the infection control plan

 

Week 6

End of Life Care / Clinical Governance

Euthanasia

Palliative care

Mental health awareness

Clinical governance in practice

Learning outcomes:

After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Understand the reasons vets and clients consider euthanasia, and learn ways to ensure the experience can be made as peaceful and calm as possible in practice for all involved

Understand the reasons that clients may choose to consider palliative care, and how we can help ensure the patients are comfortable within our role as veterinary nurses

Understand the impact euthanasia and the death of a pet can affect both the family of the patient and the veterinary staff involved

Understand the mental health implications of veterinary medicine on the team, and ways in which we can help our team and ourselves to cope

Describe what clinical governance is, what is discussed and why it may be beneficial to the practice to start holding these meetings in your practice

 

The course will be fully tutored by Elle Haskey and Katie Gray, and will consist of 15 hours of CPD given in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case studies, forum discussions and quizzes.

Click here for further details

Week 1

Overview of the bleeding patient

What is coagulation

What is anaemia

What impacts coagulation ability in our patients

Learning outcomes:

After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe the physiology of coagulation

Understand regenerative and non-regenerative anaemia

Explain what might impact a patient to be able to coagulate normally (these will then
be expanded upon in weeks 3 and 4)

 

Week 2

Blood transfusions

When to transfuse a patient

Different blood products available

Blood typing

Blood donations

Administration of blood products

Learning outcomes:
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe how we identify patients in need of a blood transfusion

List the different blood products available on the veterinary market and which is the most suitable for the patient

Explain the process of blood typing and why this is necessary in cats and dogs

Describe how a blood donation is collected in a canine and feline donor – including donor selection, the donation procedure and processing of blood products

Discuss how to administer a blood transfusion and the common signs associated with a transfusion reaction

 

Week 3

Primary Coagulation Disorders

Platelet disorders (IMTP/DIC)

Diagnosis of primary coagulation disorders

Thrombosis

Management of these patients

Learning outcomes:
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe the physiology behind the most common primary platelet disorders seen in veterinary patients

Describe how diagnosis of coagulation disorders can be made in practice

Explain thrombosis and why this might occur in veterinary patients

Understand the different treatments available to patients with each of these disorders

Describe how to best nurse these patients whilst they are being cared for in the
hospital

 

Week 4

Secondary Coagulation Disorders

Congenital coagulation disorders

Acquired coagulation disorders

Treatment of coagulation disorders

Nursing considerations

Plasma transfusions

Learning outcomes:
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

List some of the congenital coagulation disorders and understand the physiology of each

List some of the common acquired coagulation disorders and understand the
physiology of each

Describe the treatment options for these conditions

Discuss the common nursing considerations and interventions which can be implemented in the nursing care of these hospitalised patients

Describe when and how to administer a fresh frozen plasma to support a patient with a coagulopathy

 

The course will be fully tutored by Elle Haskey and Katie Gray, and will consist of 10 hours of CPD given in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case studies, forum discussions and quizzes.

 

Click here for further details

Week 1

Overview of the bleeding patient

What is coagulation

What is anaemia

What impacts coagulation ability in our patients

Learning outcomes:

After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe the physiology of coagulation

Understand regenerative and non-regenerative anaemia

Explain what might impact a patient to be able to coagulate normally (these will then
be expanded upon in weeks 3 and 4)

 

Week 2

Blood transfusions

When to transfuse a patient

Different blood products available

Blood typing

Blood donations

Administration of blood products

Learning outcomes:
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe how we identify patients in need of a blood transfusion

List the different blood products available on the veterinary market and which is the most suitable for the patient

Explain the process of blood typing and why this is necessary in cats and dogs

Describe how a blood donation is collected in a canine and feline donor – including donor selection, the donation procedure and processing of blood products

Discuss how to administer a blood transfusion and the common signs associated with a transfusion reaction

 

Week 3

Primary Coagulation Disorders

Platelet disorders (IMTP/DIC)

Diagnosis of primary coagulation disorders

Thrombosis

Management of these patients

Learning outcomes:
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

Describe the physiology behind the most common primary platelet disorders seen in veterinary patients

Describe how diagnosis of coagulation disorders can be made in practice

Explain thrombosis and why this might occur in veterinary patients

Understand the different treatments available to patients with each of these disorders

Describe how to best nurse these patients whilst they are being cared for in the
hospital

 

Week 4

Secondary Coagulation Disorders

Congenital coagulation disorders

Acquired coagulation disorders

Treatment of coagulation disorders

Nursing considerations

Plasma transfusions

Learning outcomes:
After completion of this week, participants should be able to:

List some of the congenital coagulation disorders and understand the physiology of each

List some of the common acquired coagulation disorders and understand the
physiology of each

Describe the treatment options for these conditions

Discuss the common nursing considerations and interventions which can be implemented in the nursing care of these hospitalised patients

Describe when and how to administer a fresh frozen plasma to support a patient with a coagulopathy

 

The course will be fully tutored by Elle Haskey and Katie Gray, and will consist of 10 hours of CPD given in various formats, including tutorials, tasks, case studies, forum discussions and quizzes.

 

Click here for further details