Care of the Acutely Ill Adult

To apply you must be a registered health care practitioner working in an environment where you encounter patients with acute physiological deterioration.

The course is offered at Level 3 (Degree) and Masters level.

Course content includes:

• Respiratory deterioration; assessment and management:
  • Applied physiology, pathophysiology,
  • Chest X-ray interpretation and Arterial blood gas analysis
  • Oxygen therapy & Nebulizer therapy
  • Non-invasive respiratory support, Tracheostomy, tracheal suction and other airway maintenance strategies.
• Cardiovascular deterioration; assessment and management:
  • Applied cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology
  • Monitoring cardiac and vascular pressures
  • Cardiovascular drugs & fluid therapy.
• Communication:
  • Track and trigger systems and Communication tools
  • Breaking bad news.
• Host response to Infection:
  • Host response
  • Inflammation
  • Sepsis.
• Detecting neurological deterioration:
  • Neurological/ cognitive assessment
  • Acute confusional states & acute severe headache.

The above content is mapped against the Department of Health (2009) 'Competencies for recognising and responding to acutely ill patients in hospital (Recogniser and Primary Responder)'.

Delivery:

Study time includes 48 hours contact time (online seminars, lectures and online contact time with a module team member). There will be recommended, but not essential, practical learning experiences (e.g. a visit to the operating theatre).

The module is structured into two large and two smaller themes:

• Respiratory
• Cardiovascular
• Communication
• Host response to infection.

Core material in relation to these topics is provided online and organised according to theme. There is an inherent progression within respiratory and cardiovascular themes which starts at physiology and ends at management. You are free to study at your own pace and to "surf" beyond core topics but relevance to your own practice is encouraged.

Please note: Priority will be given to applications received through our funded educational contracts. Places on this module will be limited for applications received outside of this funding. Please check with your employer as a funded contract place may still be available to support your learning.