Courses

Fundamentals of Care for HCAs and Nursing Associates working in Critical Care

OVERVIEW

This 2 day course is aimed for Healthcare Assistants and Nursing Associates who work, or have the ambition to work, in a critical care environment. It will equip them with essential theoretical knowledge to enhance their patient contact skills and give them the confidence to contribute to integrated high quality care for the critically ill patients within their scope of practice.

Who should attend:  Healthcare Assistants, Nursing Assistants, Trainee Nursing Associates and Nursing Associates working/intending to work in Critical Care areas - ITU, CCU, HDU, Theatre Recovery etc.

CONTENT

Day 1:

What is critical care?

Indications for admission to Critical Care

Overview of the Anatomy and Physiology of the Critically Ill patient

Patient monitoring:

• Recording of observations;
• Interpretation of observations;
• Accurate recording of fluid balance.

A-E initial assessment

Basic interpretation of Electrocardiograms

Basic blood-gas interpretation

Chest auscultation

Urinalysis interpretation

Day 2:

Oxygen Therapy and Humidification

Temperature Control interventions

Neurological observations and monitoring

Mental state, Rest and Sleep interventions

Pain observations and monitoring

Pain control and Comfort measures – nonpharmacological

Principles of Pharmacology - Key Critical Care medications.

Skin assessment and Pressure damage prevention;

Mouth Care, Eye Care and Personal Care;

Nutritional and Hydration needs and interventions;

Physiological and emotional wellbeing

Case studies

AIMS AND OUTCOMES

At the end of this course attendees will be able to:

• Have a sound understanding of what critical care is.
• Identify and understand how critical illness affects key anatomy and physiology aspects.
• Take and monitor vital signs of the critically ill patient.
• Understand how and why to perform observations of vital signs, frequency, and subsequent actions.
• Do basic interpretation of blood gases, 3 lead / 5 lead ECGs, perform chest auscultation and urinalysis interpretation, to promote prompt escalation to the registered nurse if abnormal signs or outside set parameters are found.
• Contribute and/or assist providing care to the critically ill patient in a safe and confident manner while working alongside registered nurses in a supporting capacity.
• Understand pharmacokinetics and pharmaco-dynamics of key critical care medications.
• Recognise the deteriorating patient and immediately escalate to a registered healthcare professional while taking appropriate action.

ATTENDED BY

• Healthcare Assistants
• Nursing Associates
• Allied Health Professionals