Critical Care Nursing

This podcast will provide the participant with an overview of clinical ethics principles, how to apply those principles and information important in caring for a patient at end of life. We will discuss a clinical ethics model that assists in gathering information so that clinicians can help patients and their family to make fully informed decisions regarding treatment.

To watch the lecture, and learn more about the speaker, please visit https://www.continulus.com

Vasoactive medications, including inotropes and vasopressors, are used in the treatment of various shock states. Understanding the hemodynamic impact of shock on cardiac output, preload and afterload is important to identify the role of vasoactive medications. Through adrenergic and non-adrenergic mechanisms, inotropes increase myocardial contractility while vasopressors cause vasoconstriction of vascular smooth muscle. Studies evaluating vasopressors in shock have identified norepinephrine as a first-line therapy, especially in patients with septic shock. Vasoactive medication selection should be driven by the patient's presentation to achieve the desired hemodynamic effects while minimizing adverse effects.

To watch the lecture, and learn more about the speaker, please visit https://www.continulus.com

The presentation focuses on critical care nurse competence. Competence as a concept is defined in general and in critical care nursing specifically. The importance of examining competence from both patients’ and nurses’ perspectives is highlighted. Some examples of competency standards and frameworks, and their utilisation in clinical practice are presented. The role of experiential learning and future trends in competence development are discussed.

To watch the lecture, and learn more about the speaker, please visit https://www.continulus.com

Sepsis impacts over 1.7 million Americans each year resulting in over 270,000 deaths (a death every 2 minutes). According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study, as many as 87% of sepsis cases begin outside of the hospital, so early identification and treatment in the post-acute setting is key to reducing morbidity and mortality in this population. Healthcare personnel in skilled nursing facilities play a significant role in early identification and treatment of sepsis. This presentation will overview sepsis, its pathophysiology, signs and symptoms and treatment within the context of skilled nursing and long term care (LTC). It will outline an early identification and treatment process for sepsis and how to incorporate it into usual work processes including communication strategies to providers that focus on action. Strategies for patient and family education will also be reviewed.

To watch the lecture, and learn more about the speaker, please visit https://www.continulus.com

Critically ill patients experience poor quality sleep including frequent awakenings and little restorative sleep. This talk outlines the specific characteristics of sleep during critical illness. Practical strategies and interventions to ameliorate the effect of the environment and ICU treatments are suggested.

As preceptors integrate neuroleadership principles of Dr. David Rock’s SCARF framework, intentional storytelling, and crisis resource management concepts into communication with students and fellow co-workers, learning culture is enhanced. As preceptors engage in this style of communication and support, they can improve retention and recruitment, promote psychological safety with students and fellow staff, and create an environment people want to work in. Practical examples for how to do this are provided to guide preceptor development. This ultimately translates into better working environments for staff and patients and families benefit in their outcomes and experience.

This presentation will briefly highlight some of the problems with the current ICU environment, and the impact this has on patients and staff. Some potential future design and technological improvements that are likely to be available in the near future for ICU staff to help improve patient care and support staff in delivering best care will be briefly discussed.

This lecture describes the problem of Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS), and how early rehabilitation in the ICU can begin to address this. Part 2 of this talk will focus on how to create a culture of rehabilitation in our ICUs, and real examples of translating the theory into practice will be presented to encourage interactive discussion.

This lecture will provide an overview of the physiological adaptions of pregnancy pertinent to critical care management. Our understanding of COVID-19 in pregnancy and the effects on the mother and baby will be summarised. Key elements of the care of pregnant women in ICU, including mechanical ventilation, prone positioning, assessment of fetal wellbeing and medical treatment will be discussed.

This lecture will provide an overview of the physiological adaptions of pregnancy pertinent to critical care management. Our understanding of COVID-19 in pregnancy and the effects on the mother and baby will be summarised. Key elements of the care of pregnant women in ICU, including mechanical ventilation, prone positioning, assessment of fetal wellbeing and medical treatment will be discussed.