Overview

This module aims to attract practitioners working within critical care who wish to enhance evidence based knowledge and analytical skills in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care that critical care patients (level 2 & 3 ) and families receive. It acknowledges the dynamic and critical situation of the patient and the practitioners role within this context whilst seeking to develop individual expertise. The individuality and diversity of practitioners and specialised units is recognised by a varied and broad curricula which is designed to develop a competent practitioner with transferable critical care skills.

This module forms part of the Graduate Certificate (Critical Care), where the achievement of the outcomes are further complimented by the simultaneous undertaking of the Clinical Practice module, where the practitioner has
the opportunity to complete all of the given outcomes in their own clinical setting, guided by a focused and specific clinical competency framework. The final module within the Graduate Certificate (Critical Care) is the Evidence Based Practice module, which facilitates the application of theory to the practitioners own practice area.

This module is a core module for the BSc (Hons) Clinical Practice (Critical Care) pathway
This module may be undertaken as a stand alone/elective module within the Bsc (Hons) award for another pathway. It can also be studied at Level 7. 

Module aims

The aim of the Critical Care pathway is to enhance evidence based knowledge and analytical skills in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care that Critical care patients and families receive – considering both acute and chronic conditions within the context of contemporary healthcare policy. It acknowledges the dynamic and critical situation of the patient and the practitioner’s role within this context whilst seeking to develop individual expertise and acknowledging that critical care services are proactive and dynamic.

The individuality and diversity of practitioners and specialised units is recognised by a varied and broad curricula which is designed to develop a competent practitioner with transferable critical care skills, that focuses on patients’ needs, saving lives, recognising acutely ill patients, initiating early treatment, supporting patients through critical illness or where appropriate enable a dignified death.

Entry requirements

Normally hold a Professional registration with an appropriate body and with a minimum of 12 months current clinical experience in Critical Care

Module content

• Evidence based practice including the use of care bundles
• Respiratory physiology and pathophysiology including blood gas analysis
• Causes of respiratory failure
• Respiratory management including - Invasive and non-invasive ventilation (modes & weaning), BiPAP, CPAP, oxygen therapy and administration. The use of artificial airways and adjuncts.
• Cardiac physiology and pathophysiology including coagulation, ECG interpretation, shock
• Cardiac disease processes and cardiac emergencies/ arrhythmias
• Haemodynamic monitoring techniques/skills to include arterial, central venous pressure, cardiac output measurement from a range of devices such Pulmonary artery flotation catheters, oesophageal doppler, and mixed methods of cardiac output measurement.
• Therapeutic management of a patient undergoing cardiac intervention & surgery including TEG, blood products, blood conservation strategies, cellsavers, pacing, IABP,ventricular assisted devices.
• Management of shock - including sepsis, cardiogenic,, neurogenic, anaphylactic, hypovolaemic.
• Pathophysiology and management of renal and liver disorders - including renal failure(acute and chronic)
• Fluid management
• Management of renal failure including renal replacement therapies and its related modes of treatments.
• Pathophysiology of the gastro-intestinal tract, disorders and nutrition
• Hepatic physiology and disorders
• Immunology and Endocrinology physiology including diabetic emergencies
• Neurology physiology and disorders - including temperature regulation, and cerebral vascular disorders
• Monitoring and observational assessment inclusive of neurological assessment/ observations
• Infection prevention issues including sepsis/SIRS management, care bundle and survive sepsis campaign
• Assessment and monitoring of all systems
• Preparation for and post operative management
• Management of acute situations/emergencies including Advanced Life support skills
• Management of multi-organ failure
• Trauma management including burns, near drowning, blast injury, spinal injury
• Assessment of health & diagnostic reasoning
• Diagnostic investigations - management & interpretation
• Pharmacology including inotropes, vasopressors, sedation, analgesia, cardiac therapy
• Psychological care of the critically ill - including sensory deprivation, overload, sleep disorder and delirium
• Interprofessional working to include communication with patients, families and multidisciplinary team
• Reflective practice, professional & contemporary issues in critical care
• Political, legal, ethical, sociological and moral dilemmas for the critical care nurse
• Relatives/ significant others influences/ needs for the nurse
• End of life care/issues- including brain stem death, & organ donation

Teaching and assessment

The principal learning and teaching methods used in the module may include:

• Lectures, seminars and workshops: The core of each module delivery mode is a series of face to face tutor-led or group-led seminars or workshops.
• Web-based learning using the Keele Learning Environment (KLE), Blackboard.
• Group work and peer support. All modules use focused group work and class discussions within face to face tutor time.
• Directed independent study. Most of the study hours for each module comprise independent learning by expecting participants to add depth and breadth to their knowledge of topics, to practice skills and to reflect on critical incidents and their practice.