Acute Care Update for Enrolled Nurses
10.50
CPD
Hours
10.50
RCNA
Points
Event Type:
Duration:
Relevant To:
Seminar
Two Days
Enrolled Nurses (ENs)
General Description
This seminar will assist Enrolled Nurses (ENs) in their early recognition and care of people who develop an unexpected, acute health problem that requires rapid intervention so as to minimise the risk of further deterioration and possible cardiac or respiratory arrest. With increasing awareness of the importance of the early identification of deteriorating patients/ clients and the development of Rapid Response Teams in health care agencies it is essential that all staff increase their clinical assessment skills.
This clinical program is suitable for all ENs - including those who work in acute care settings, aged care, disability services or community health.
If you have identified a professional need to improve your understanding of acute care nursing as part of your planned learning activities, then this program will offer you an opportunity to gain continuing professional development (CPD) hours related to this topic.
Need for Program
This seminar will assist Enrolled Nurses (ENs) in their early recognition and care of people who develop an unexpected, acute health problem that requires rapid intervention so as to minimise the risk of further deterioration and possible cardiac or respiratory arrest.
Aims and Objectives
With an increase in the awareness of the importance of the early identification of deteriorating patients/clients and the development of Rapid Response Teams in health care agencies it is essential that all staff increase their clinical assessment skills. This clinical program is suitable for all ENs - including those who work in acute care settings, aged care, disability services or community health.
On completion of this two day seminar the participants should be able to :
- Demonstrate increased confidence in their assessment of acutely unwell
clients/patients.
- Increase their abilities in the appropriate short term management of emergencies such as airway obstruction, respiratory distress, chest pain, haemorrhage and unexpected collapse.
- Confidently discuss current Australian Resuscitation Council Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation/Basic Life Support guidelines.
- Outline the professional responsibilities of Enrolled Nurses in clinical assessment and management of the unwell client/patient.
8.30am - Registration and Refreshments
9.00am - Setting the Scene for Meeting Learning Needs
This session will provide an informative framework, including:
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Completion of needs analysis and pre-test.
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Review of the role and scope of practice of Enrolled Nurses.
10:00am - Clinical Nursing Assessment Skills
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Rapid response systems in Australian health care organisations.
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A fresh look at approaches to achieving holistic clinical assessments.
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Identifying “at risk” individuals – key indicators of deterioration.
10.30am - Morning Tea and Coffee
11:00am - Changing Respiratory Parameters - Part 1
A - Identifying and Dealing with Airway Problems
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Causes of common airway problems – choking, obstruction by relaxed tongue (unconsciousness) or from swelling (oedema).
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Clinical signs of airway obstruction.
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Management interventions for re-establishing a clear airway.
12.30pm - Lunch Break and Time to Network
1:30am - Changing Respiratory Parameters - Part 2
B - Breathing and Oxygenation Problems
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Causes of common breathing and oxygenation problems - chest infections, pulmonary oedema, chest trauma, bronchospasm and chronic lung disease.
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Recognising hypoxia and respiratory difficult or distress.
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Management interventions for re-establishing breathing and optimum oxygenation.
3.00pm - Afternoon Tea and Coffee
3.30pm - Practical Aspects of Respiratory Interventions
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The use of pulse oximeters – potential pitfalls & problems.
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Review of oxygen therapy – when and how much?
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Assisted ventilation – mouth to mask or bag and mask.
4.15pm - Close of Day One
Start of Day Two
9.00am - Changing Cardiovascular Parameters
A - Cardiac and Circulation Problems
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Common causes – identification and discussion.
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Assessing cardiac function – clinical signs of impaired circulation.
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Additional assessment - using the 12 lead ECG/Monitoring.
10:00am - Changing Cardiovascular Parameters
B - The Person with Chest Pain
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Review of the possible causes of chest pain.
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Assessment findings and differential diagnosis.
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Management of chest pain which is due to acute myocardial infarction (MI).
10.30am - Morning Tea and Coffee
11:00am - Changing Cardiovascular Parameters
C - Shock and Haemorrhage
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Causes and specific assessment findings.
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Managing shock and controlling haemorrhage.
12.30pm - Lunch Break and Time to Network
1:30pm - Changing Cardiovascular Parameters
D - What to do when a Patient Collapses
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Possible causes, e.g. fainting, cardiac arrest, cerebral vascular accident.
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Assessment activities and findings.
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Management interventions and practical nursing strategies.
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Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines for basic life support (BLS).
3.00pm - Afternoon Tea and Coffee
3.30pm - Applying the Knowledge in Clinical Situations
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This interactive session will present relevant practice scenarios of health emergency situations for analysis and comment.
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Review of the EN role, your learning needs analysis and post-test.
4.15pm - Close of Program and Evaluations
Heather Schubert OAMHeather has extensive experience and qualifications in acute care nursing and education including management roles in ICU and CCU. She teaches Basic and Advanced Life Support and has an interest in assisting all nurses – regardless of their training level - to develop enhanced clinical assessment skills and to take a more active role in the management of emergencies. Heather was a founding member of the S.A. Branch of the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (previously CACCN), is a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia and is on the SA committee of the Australian Resuscitation Council. She has her own business as a Consultant Nurse Educator, is a Clinical Associate of the Adelaide University and has taught aspects of emergency and acute care extensively in metropolitan and rural communities throughout South Australia. She was awarded an Order of Australia in 2009 for her services to critical care nursing and education in SA.
