This is a 24-32 hour course for professional staff caring for high acuity medical-surgical or critical care patients. Two eight-hour assessment days are suggested for all participants. Content in these two days includes: cardiac, pulmonary, chest tube, neurological, gastro-intestinal, renal, psychoemotional, and pain assessment; interpretation of laboratory findings, and emergent airway management.
These two class days can be followed by a clinical day with the participant scheduled on his/her home unit. A Staff Development Instructor, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or Learning Institute staff member supports the participant; in-depth patient assessments are done to reinforce class content.
An additional one or two days of content is offered: one cardiac focused, one pulmonary focused. The cardiac day will include information about coronary syndromes, interventional cardiology, care of the OHS patient, care of the patient with pacers and ICD's, and peripheral vascular disease. The pulmonary day will include content related to BIPAP, CPAP, modes of ventilation, care of the ventilated patient, airways, and suctioning. Hands on ventilator experience will be included.
* Experienced nurses can challenge the course through examination.