Subject: Emergency & Critical Care

Week 1

Approach to the Cesarean Patient

Brief overview of parturition

Complications of parturition

Cesarean section

Learning outcomes

Explain complications that might occur in parturition

Explain the reasons for intervening in these cases in order to perform a C section

Understand nursing of the caesarean patient

 

Week 2

The GDV Patient

Physiology of GDV

Diagnosis

Stabilisation of the GDV

Anaesthesia considerations

Post-operative nursing

Learning outcomes

Understand the physiology of a GDV and list some of the common risk factors associated with this condition

Describe how a GDV is diagnosed and which tests can help us to identify this condition in the emergency patient

List the common stabilisation techniques in the emergency patient including management of shock and commonly used gastric decompression techniques

Discuss anaesthesia considerations and how to make the patient a safe candidate for surgery

Describe the nursing considerations for the post-operative GDV case and the factors which need to be included in the care plan of the hospitalised patient

 

Week 3

Nursing the Septic Abdomen

What is SIRS/Sepsis

Recognising sepsis

The use of diagnostic tools in the veterinary practice to help recognise a septic abdomen

Nursing management of a septic abdomen

Learning outcomes

Describe SIRS and Sepsis and the difference between them

Understand how to recognise sepsis in veterinary patients

List the different tests we have available in practice that can be used to help identify a septic abdomen

Explain how patients with a septic abdomen can best be nursed in practice, pre-, peri and post operatively

 

Week 4

Haemoabdomen

Physiology of haemoabdomen

Diagnosis

Stabilisation of the haemoabdomen

Anaesthesia considerations

Post-operative nursing

Learning outcomes

Understand the physiology of a the haemoabdomen and list some of the common causes associated with this condition

Describe how a haemoabdomen is diagnosed and which tests can help us to identify this condition in the emergency patient

List the common stabilisation techniques in the emergency patient including management of shock

Discuss anaesthesia considerations and how to make the patient a safe candidate for surgery

Describe the nursing considerations for the post-operative haemoabdomen case and the factors which need to be included in the care plan of the hospitalised patient

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

This six week course is most suitable for experienced nurses, those working in referral centres, or those seeking CPD on more advanced anaesthesia techniques, including spirometry, blood gas analysis, invasive blood pressure, mechanical ventilation and ECG interpretation.

 

Week 1

Preparation and Monitoring of Critical Cases

Preparedness

Considerations

Invasive blood pressure monitoring

Blood gas analysis

Spirometry

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

List generalised considerations for preparing to anaesthetise emergency cases

How to setup and use invasive blood pressure monitoring and how this relates to oscillometric and doppler techniques

Interpret a basic blood gas analysis and outline how this abnormality may have occurred

Explain what spirometry is and how it differs from capnography

 

Week 2

Abdominal Surgical Emergencies

Haemoabdomen

Gastric dilatation and volvulus

Acute abdomen

Epidural anaesthesia

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

Understand the physiological disturbances caused by gastric dilatation and volvulus

Understand the physiological disturbances caused by haemoabdomen

Understand the physiological disturbances caused by the acute abdomen

Participants should be able to suggest considerations for these surgeries and list possible complications that may arise during anaesthesia

Participants should be able to list the total and relative contraindications for epidural anaesthesia

 

Week 3

Thoracic Surgical Emergencies

Pyothorax

Penetrating injuries

Diaphragmatic rupture

Mechanical ventilation

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

Understand the physiological disturbances caused by pyothorax

Understand the physiological disturbances caused by a penetrating injury

Understand the physiological disturbances caused by diaphragmatic rupture

Participants should be able to suggest considerations for these surgeries and list possible complications that may arise during anaesthesia

Participants should also feel able to safely choose ventilator settings for use during non-emergency surgery

 

Week 4

Caesareans

Physiology

ASA categorisation

Anaesthesia Protocols

Anaesthesia Infusions

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

Understand the physiological considerations for caesarean section

Assign and justify the choice of an ASA category to the caesarean section patient

Suggest a safe protocol for caesarean section, with variation based on differing drug availability depending on clinical setting

Understand the basis of total intravenous anaesthesia infusions

 

Week 5

What’s happening? What should I do?

Hypoxia

Hypocapnia

Hypotension

ECG Abnormalities

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

Participants should be able to list possible causes of, and suggest treatments for hypoxia and hypocapnia

Participants should be able to list possible causes of hypotension and discuss the physiology of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options for this.

Participants should be able to interpret the most common ECG abnormalities seen and understand how these rhythms will affect the patient, and have an understanding of possible treatment options

 

Week 6

CRASH!

Recover CPR guidelines

Crash box

Basic life support

Advanced life support

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

List the vital components of a crash box

Perform safe and effective chest compressions in a variety of patient sizes and conformations.Understand how to monitor the effectiveness of CPR in the clinical setting

Interpret the most common ECG rhythms seen during CPR

Know what drug treatment options are available during CPR

 

The course will be fully tutored by William McFadzean 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

This six week course is most suitable for experienced nurses, those working in referral centres, or those seeking CPD on more advanced anaesthesia techniques, including spirometry, blood gas analysis, invasive blood pressure, mechanical ventilation and ECG interpretation.

 

Week 1

Preparation and Monitoring of Critical Cases

Preparedness

Considerations

Invasive blood pressure monitoring

Blood gas analysis

Spirometry

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

List generalised considerations for preparing to anaesthetise emergency cases

How to setup and use invasive blood pressure monitoring and how this relates to oscillometric and doppler techniques

Interpret a basic blood gas analysis and outline how this abnormality may have occurred

Explain what spirometry is and how it differs from capnography

 

Week 2

Abdominal Surgical Emergencies

Haemoabdomen

Gastric dilatation and volvulus

Acute abdomen

Epidural anaesthesia

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

Understand the physiological disturbances caused by gastric dilatation and volvulus

Understand the physiological disturbances caused by haemoabdomen

Understand the physiological disturbances caused by the acute abdomen

Participants should be able to suggest considerations for these surgeries and list possible complications that may arise during anaesthesia

Participants should be able to list the total and relative contraindications for epidural anaesthesia

 

Week 3

Thoracic Surgical Emergencies

Pyothorax

Penetrating injuries

Diaphragmatic rupture

Mechanical ventilation

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

Understand the physiological disturbances caused by pyothorax

Understand the physiological disturbances caused by a penetrating injury

Understand the physiological disturbances caused by diaphragmatic rupture

Participants should be able to suggest considerations for these surgeries and list possible complications that may arise during anaesthesia

Participants should also feel able to safely choose ventilator settings for use during non-emergency surgery

 

Week 4

Caesareans

Physiology

ASA categorisation

Anaesthesia Protocols

Anaesthesia Infusions

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

Understand the physiological considerations for caesarean section

Assign and justify the choice of an ASA category to the caesarean section patient

Suggest a safe protocol for caesarean section, with variation based on differing drug availability depending on clinical setting

Understand the basis of total intravenous anaesthesia infusions

 

Week 5

What’s happening? What should I do?

Hypoxia

Hypocapnia

Hypotension

ECG Abnormalities

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

Participants should be able to list possible causes of, and suggest treatments for hypoxia and hypocapnia

Participants should be able to list possible causes of hypotension and discuss the physiology of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options for this.

Participants should be able to interpret the most common ECG abnormalities seen and understand how these rhythms will affect the patient, and have an understanding of possible treatment options

 

Week 6

CRASH!

Recover CPR guidelines

Crash box

Basic life support

Advanced life support

Learning objectives
After completion of this week, participants:

List the vital components of a crash box

Perform safe and effective chest compressions in a variety of patient sizes and conformations.Understand how to monitor the effectiveness of CPR in the clinical setting

Interpret the most common ECG rhythms seen during CPR

Know what drug treatment options are available during CPR

 

The course will be fully tutored by William McFadzean 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

Patient assessment and triage

The concept of triage

Preparedness

Primary survey

Secondary Survey

Emergency history

Learning objectives

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

Understand the triage process and how it can be utilised to prioritise emergency care

Describe how to make their team and environment prepared for when the emergency patient arrives

List how to carry out a primary survey during the initial assessment of the patient

Explain how to carry out a secondary survey assessment in order to list their concerns with the patient

Discuss how to communicate with the client including telephone advice, informed consent and emergency history.

 

Week 2

Shock

Classify shock

Emergency database

Blood pressure

Oxygen therapy

The use of multiparameter monitors

Learning objectives

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

Identify a patient with shock and classify which type of shock they have

Explain which parameters may be tested during an emergency database and how these can help to identify shock in the emergency room

Understand the physiology of perfusion and ways in which blood pressure can be monitored in the emergency patient

List the different ways that oxygen therapy can be delivered to the emergency patient

Understand the uses and limitations of multiparameter monitors and their role in monitoring perfusion trends

 

Week 3

Fluid Therapy

Patient assessment

Identifying a fluid deficit or change in volume

What fluids are available

Managing a change in content

Identifying a change in fluid distribution

Learning objectives

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

Explain how to assess the patient’s fluid status using clinical exam and blood work

Discuss how to create a fluid plan to treat a fluid deficit such as hypovolaemia or dehydration

List what fluid options are available and which fluid might be preferred in which situation

Understand how fluid selection or the fluid plan can be altered to account for an electrolyte abnormality

Describe how to manage the patient with fluid overload or peripheral oedema

 

Week 4

Neurological Emergencies 

Neurological assessment

Coma scoring

Raised intracranial pressure

Seizures

Learning objectives

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

Describe how to perform a neurological assessment of an emergency patient

Describe how to perform a coma score and understand how these may be used in neurological patients

Understand methods of identifying raised intracranial pressure and the physiology behind this

Recognise a seizuring patient and understand their management, from initial presentation and stabilisation of mild seizures through to the management of a patient in status epilepticus

 

Week 5

Approach to the trauma patient 

Assessment of wounds

Wound management

Management of fractures

Other injuries associated with trauma

Analgesia

Learning objectives

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

Identify different wounds based on the patient history and appearance of the wound

Understand the principles of wound management and common techniques used to flush and debride wounds

Describe how to identify and manage fractures in the trauma patient

List other common injuries associated with trauma and how these should be managed

Implement an analgesia plan for the trauma patient based on pain assessment

 

Week 6

Common toxicities

Common toxins seen in emergency practice

Renal toxins

Hepatotoxins

Anticoagulants

Neurotoxins

Learning objectives

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

Describe the different ways toxins can enter the body

List the most common renal toxins and understand the treatment of these patients

List the most common hepatotoxins and understand the different treatments for each of these

Understand the physiological effects of anticoagulant ingestion and the treatment of these patients

Identify the most common neurotoxins seen in practice and understand the treatment of these patients

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

Patient assessment and triage

The concept of triage

Preparedness

Primary survey

Secondary Survey

Emergency history

Learning objectives

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

Understand the triage process and how it can be utilised to prioritise emergency care

Describe how to make their team and environment prepared for when the emergency patient arrives

List how to carry out a primary survey during the initial assessment of the patient

Explain how to carry out a secondary survey assessment in order to list their concerns with the patient

Discuss how to communicate with the client including telephone advice, informed consent and emergency history.

 

Week 2

Shock

Classify shock

Emergency database

Blood pressure

Oxygen therapy

The use of multiparameter monitors

Learning objectives

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

Identify a patient with shock and classify which type of shock they have

Explain which parameters may be tested during an emergency database and how these can help to identify shock in the emergency room

Understand the physiology of perfusion and ways in which blood pressure can be monitored in the emergency patient

List the different ways that oxygen therapy can be delivered to the emergency patient

Understand the uses and limitations of multiparameter monitors and their role in monitoring perfusion trends

 

Week 3

Fluid Therapy

Patient assessment

Identifying a fluid deficit or change in volume

What fluids are available

Managing a change in content

Identifying a change in fluid distribution

Learning objectives

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

Explain how to assess the patient’s fluid status using clinical exam and blood work

Discuss how to create a fluid plan to treat a fluid deficit such as hypovolaemia or dehydration

List what fluid options are available and which fluid might be preferred in which situation

Understand how fluid selection or the fluid plan can be altered to account for an electrolyte abnormality

Describe how to manage the patient with fluid overload or peripheral oedema

 

Week 4

Neurological Emergencies 

Neurological assessment

Coma scoring

Raised intracranial pressure

Seizures

Learning objectives

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

Describe how to perform a neurological assessment of an emergency patient

Describe how to perform a coma score and understand how these may be used in neurological patients

Understand methods of identifying raised intracranial pressure and the physiology behind this

Recognise a seizuring patient and understand their management, from initial presentation and stabilisation of mild seizures through to the management of a patient in status epilepticus

 

Week 5

Approach to the trauma patient 

Assessment of wounds

Wound management

Management of fractures

Other injuries associated with trauma

Analgesia

Learning objectives

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

Identify different wounds based on the patient history and appearance of the wound

Understand the principles of wound management and common techniques used to flush and debride wounds

Describe how to identify and manage fractures in the trauma patient

List other common injuries associated with trauma and how these should be managed

Implement an analgesia plan for the trauma patient based on pain assessment

 

Week 6

Common toxicities

Common toxins seen in emergency practice

Renal toxins

Hepatotoxins

Anticoagulants

Neurotoxins

Learning objectives

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

Describe the different ways toxins can enter the body

List the most common renal toxins and understand the treatment of these patients

List the most common hepatotoxins and understand the different treatments for each of these

Understand the physiological effects of anticoagulant ingestion and the treatment of these patients

Identify the most common neurotoxins seen in practice and understand the treatment of these patients

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