Curriculum Information

This module will develop on the student's anaesthetic and post-anaesthetic knowledge and how it applies to the role of critical care.
Theoretical Topics to Include:
The critically ill patient.
Continuing care from the perioperative to critical care environments.
Planning, management and evaluation of care for scheduled and non-scheduled service-users.
Clinical assessment and investigations undertaken within critical care practice
Management of Major incidents within practice
Evidence in pain (acute and chronic) and nausea management within critical care and high dependency settings.
Development of the ODP role within critical care practice
Managing patients undergoing end-of-life care and organ donation
Principles of advanced resuscitation in adults, neonates and children.

Recognition and treatment of common in-hospital clinical emergencies

Development of Clinical Skills to Include:
Communication with patients and families within critical care and high dependency settings.
Taking and interpreting clinical investigations and monitoring within the critical care setting.
Support of physiological systems within the critical care settings:
• airway and respiratory management including ventilation
• support of the cardiovascular system
• understanding of common abnormal blood physiology, including blood gas analysis
• maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance, including renal replacement therapy
• assessment and management of service-users’ tissue viability, VTE and antibiotic prophylaxis.

Administration and monitoring of medications within the critical care and high dependency settings.
Caring for patients after death, last offices and cultural considerations
Leadership in critical and emergency scenarios
Professional and Legal topics to include:
Legal and ethical issues arising within the care of the critically ill patient.
Documentation and record keeping within critical care and high dependency settings.
Infection control policy and procedures within critical care and high dependency settings.
National and local guidelines for resuscitation and safe transfer of critically ill service-users.