Program List

Clinical Excellence in Critical Care

Course Description

This two-day program is presented on an intermediate to advanced level and is designed for nurses caring for the critically ill patient. Evidence-based practice protocols are discussed, as well as the importance of outcome measurements to determine quality in patient care. Each day will conclude with case studies to encourage critical thinking.

Program Learning Outcomes

This program prepares the learner to:

• Gain the confidence to recognize and treat patients experiencing acute coronary syndromes and cardiogenic shock.
• Develop a better understanding of the roles pharmacologic and mechanical circulatory support in the management of patients with systolic and diastolic heart dysfunction.
• Describe the common etiologies, presentation and treatment modalities for the patient with acute adrenal insufficiency.
• Differentiate between the presentation and treatment of ARDS from other acute respiratory failure causes.
• Understand and assess the needs of the long-term mechanical ventilated patient as well as weaning techniques and procedures.
• Describe the rationales for and ways to implement therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest.

Agenda

Sign-in begins at 7:30 am. Each day includes a one-hour lunch (on your own), as well as a morning and afternoon break of 15 minutes each. The order of lectures presented and break times may vary according to speaker preference.

Day 1, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

• Measuring and Controlling Tissue Oxygenation
  Determinants of Adequate Oxygenation | Measuring Oxygenation

• New Monitoring Modes
  Hemodynamic Monitoring | Labs | Electrocardiographic

• Transfusions Practices and Problems
  Indications | Types | Acute Hemolytic Reactions | TRALI

• Therapeutic Hypothermia
  Physiological Response | Indications for Induced Hypothermia | Outcomes

• Stroke Management
  Etiologies | Assessment | Standard and Up-and-Coming Therapies | Outcome Measurements

• Acute Adrenal Insufficiency
  Primary vs. Secondary | Clinical Manifestations | Evaluation of Adrenal Function | Associations with Sepsis, Trauma

• Case Studies

Day 2, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

• Acute Coronary Syndromes
  New Guidelines | STEMI vs. NonSTEMI | Invasive and Non-Invasive Diagnostics

• Acute Heart Failure
  Definition | Etiologies | Current Treatment Strategies

• Management Strategies for DVT, PE
  Statistics | Virchow’s Triad—Who’s at Risk | Current Treatment Strategies | Preventative Measures

• The Ventilated Patient
  Invasive vs. Non-Invasive Ventilation | Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia | Ventilator Induced Lung Injury | Bundles | ARDS Net

• Pharmacology: What’s New
  Cardiac Medications | ACE Inhibitors, ARBs | Anticoagulants

• Pain Control for the Critically Ill
  Analgesia and Sedation | Monitoring Techniques | The Agitated Patient

• Putting it All Together with Case Studies