Full Course Description

A Day in the Life of a Nurse: What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Be Prepared for Anything

Nursing is so complex! And we need to be ready to adapt to any situation…such as floating to another unit, treating overflow patients that are not usually on our unit, responding to a totally unexpected patient situation and more! We still need to provide safe, quality care to all and transfer our nursing skills to different settings at any time! This conference will walk you through case-based presentations of a real-life day with scenarios of “what could possibly go wrong” when your day started perfectly! These case presentations will identify the evidence-based background needed for competent clinical practice, current up-to-date knowledge of the diagnoses, equipment, medications, and procedures.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Outline comprehensive patient management plans for the special patient population discussed
  2. Apply the criteria for the diagnosis of EKG changes associated with pathophysiology
  3. Review up-to-date therapeutic recommendations for patients with CVA
  4. Discuss management treatment and troubleshooting of LVAD’s and Vests
  5. Identify the most appropriate vasoactive agent for the clinical situation
  6. Analyze management strategies specific to unstable pediatric patient
  7. Describe evidence-based protocols for common obstetric emergencies
  8. Discuss current and emerging trends in acute and critical care
  9. Review basic ventilator settings used in critical care
  10. Describe initial interventions to stabilize the hemodynamically unstable patient
  11. Identify early symptoms in patient assessment that indicate the patient is deteriorating
  12. Stay safe when a patient becomes agitated or even violent

Outline

Starting your Shift

  • Unexpected bleeding disorders: Mallory Weiss Tear
  • 40 y/o trauma patient received 36 units of PRC, 20 units of platelets, 12 units
    • FFP, 6 liters LR and develops ARDS post-operatively
      • ECMO for ARDS
  • Let’s talk stroke: Get my drift?
  • Heart failure and pulmonary edema
  • DI or SIADH

You Want Me to Float Where?

  • Ventilator management basics
  • Postpartum emergencies: I don’t do OB!
  • Geriatric trauma patients: When golden years meet the golden hour
  • 2nd degree AV block in elderly patient presenting with dizziness for 1 week. Offending agents: β-Blockers and calcium channel blockers (Rx CE – 0.5 hour)
  • MI Imposters

Out of My Comfort Zone

  • VADs, Vests: Fashionable but I Know Nothing About Them
  • REBOA: Non-trauma, Hemorrhagic Shock Patient with Retroperitoneal Hemorrhage, Renal Perforation and Splenic Laceration
  • He, she, her, him, they: Transgender care and communication
  • Gunshot victims; chaos from the streets
    • When healthcare staff become victims; violent patients
  • Pediatric RRT: I don’t do peds!
  • Critical care drugs and drips

Target Audience

  • Nurses: Medical-surgical units, ED, Critical Care areas, Urgent Care Clinics.
  • Respiratory Therapists
  • Advanced Practice Providers.

Copyright : 11/15/2023

Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices: Latest Research, Treatments & Conundrums

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia and the leading cardiac cause of stroke and often we see these unstable patients in a critical care setting. Various treatments for atrial fibrillation include anticoagulation, rate control medication, rhythm control medication, cardioversion, ablation, and other interventional cardiac procedures. This session describes the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of atrial fibrillation and highlights the new treatment directions. Several devices for stabilizing cardiac rhythms will be discussed as well as an overview of the patient who presents with ICD shock.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Summarize arrythmia management options for atrial fibrillation.
  2. Discuss nursing interventions for atrial fibrillation.
  3. Review emerging/new device technology.
  4. Learn about care of the patient who presents with ICD shock.

Outline

  • Management of atrial fibrillation
    • Rhythm control vs rate control
    • Stroke prevention (DOAC, warfarin & left atrial appendage closure device)
    • Risk for tachyarrhythmia induced heart failure
    • Pharmacological treatment
    • Non-pharmacological treatment
    • Trials
    • Guidelines
    • Patient education
  • Convergent procedure overview
    • CV surgery part
    • Electrophysiology part
  • Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices
    • Implantable cardiac monitors
    • Cardiac resynchronization therapy
    • Shocks
      • Emergency department presentation
      • Phantom
      • Appropriate vs inappropriate
    • MRI conditional vs nonconditional
    • Infections
    • End of life care/deactivation
    • Patient education

Target Audience

  • Nurses
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Clinical Nurse Specialists
  • Physician Assistants

Copyright : 11/08/2022

Sepsis in Pregnancy

Pregnancy-related sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency infection that can take place during pregnancy, childbirth, post-abortion, miscarriage, or the postpartum period. It is the second leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the US. Fast recognition and treatment of sepsis is key, which means you need to know the signs and symptoms of sepsis in pregnancy, as well as how to screen for sepsis early and initiate treatment. You will learn the unique physiology during and following pregnancy and the challenges healthcare providers face when identifying and managing pregnancy-related sepsis.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Evaluate the national and global issue of mortality and morbidity surrounding sepsis in pregnancy.
  2. Determine the risk factors for sepsis in pregnancy.
  3. Integrate understanding of physiologic changes during pregnancy as they relate to sepsis.
  4. Analyze key challenges related to identification and treatment of sepsis in pregnancy.
  5. Apply screening and management guidelines for sepsis in pregnancy into practice.

Outline

National and global issue of mortality and morbidity surrounding sepsis in pregnancy

  • Leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality
Risk factors for sepsis in pregnancy
  • Common sources of infection
  • Preterm labor and preterm delivery
  • Fetal infection
Physiologic changes during pregnancy as they relate to sepsis
  • Immunological adaptations of pregnancy
  • Cardiovascular adaptations of pregnancy
  • Impact on the maternal response to infection
Key challenges related to identification and treatment of sepsis in pregnancy
  • Antibiotic resistance patterns
AVOG and SMFM guidelines
  • Screening
  • Management guidelines for sepsis in pregnancy

Target Audience

  • Nurses
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Physicians
  • Physician Assistants
  • Midwives
  • Doulas

Copyright : 03/10/2023

Nursing Documentation Pitfalls: Legal Risks in the Critical Care Setting

"If you didn’t chart it, you didn’t do it" may sound over-rated, but in a court of law, this can make or break the case! This session will reveal strategies to help make your documentation court ready. You will learn the most common documentation errors that can change the course of a lawsuit, how to accurately reflect the care that you provided, and of course what should not be documented. Regardless of your critical care role, this session will help to ensure that your documentation holds up in court!

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Analyze common sources of lawsuits for healthcare professionals.
  2. Evaluate the most significant pitfalls in nursing documentation.
  3. Implement strategies to perform legally defensible documentation.
  4. Practice how to document high-risk patient situations.

Outline

  • Current Lawsuit Trends
    • Specialties at higher risk for litigation
    • Top sources of nursing malpractice/negligence
  • Common Pitfalls of Documentation
    • Vagueness
    • Omissions
    • Words to use/avoid
    • Late entries
    • Inconsistency
  • How to document high-risk situations and conversations
    • Patient refusal
    • MD/Provider notification
    • Discharge education
  • Electronic Documentation: Dos and Don’ts
    • Proper use of flowsheets
    • When to add narrative notes
    • Proper timing of entries

Target Audience

  • Nurses
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Clinical Nurse Specialists
  • Physician Assistants

Copyright : 11/09/2022

Diabetic Emergencies: Treatment and Management Protocols for Hypoglycemia, DKA & HHNS

According to the CDC, 10% of our US population has Diabetes Mellitus, representing 34 million Americans. Nurses frequently encounter patients with diabetes as a comorbidity. In addition to knowing about diabetes in general, nurses need to recognize, and know how to treat diabetic emergencies. This session will outline the causes, clinical manifestations, diagnostic tests, treatments, and nursing actions for three diabetic emergencies including hypoglycemia, DKA and HHNS.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Differentiate the three diabetic emergencies as hypoglycemia, DKA and HHNS.
  2. Discuss the presenting signs and symptoms, etiology, and labs for the three diabetic emergencies.
  3. Explain the treatment and management protocol for each diabetic emergency.
  4. List patient education topics for prevention of three diabetic emergencies.

Outline

Pathophysiology and Classifications of Diabetes

  • Type 1
  • Type 2
  • Gestational
  • Other
Hypoglycemia
  • Identify signs, symptoms, and labs
  • Treatment protocols for hypoglycemia: “Rule of 15”
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
  • Identify signs and symptoms and labs
  • Treatment protocols and management for DKA
Hyperglycemic, Hyperosmolar, Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS)
  • Identify signs and symptoms and labs
  • Treatment protocols and management for HHNS

Target Audience

  • Nurses
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Clinical Nurse Specialists
  • Physician Assistants

Copyright : 06/23/2023

Acute GI Bleeding: Detect Causes & Management Best Practices

The evaluation and treatment of GI bleeding is constantly evolving. There are a host of new therapeutic modalities. But equally important are the best times to apply these modalities. Please join Dr. Peter Buch for a practical, case based presentation which will provide you with the latest approach to treat GI bleeding.

Program Information

Outline

Esophageal Ulcer Risk Factors

  • Mallory Weiss tear vs Boerhaave’s syndrome
Risk factors for Peptic Ulcer Disease and PPI Prophylaxis

When to consider NG tubes
  • Alternatives: Erythromycin IV
Endoscopic evaluation of UGI bleeding
  • Timing of the procedure
    • Safety of INR and platelet count
  • Which patients can be safely discharged home from the ER
  • Visible vessels and interventions
Esophageal Varices
  • Best treatment practices
Proton Pump Inhibitor
  • Side effects
Hemoccult
  • False positives and negatives
Fecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT)
  • What is measured
  • False positives and negatives
    • When NOT to use
Multitarget Stool DNA Test (Cologuard)
  • What is measured
  • False positives and negatives
    • When NOT to use
Evaluation of Small Bowel
  • Enteroscope
  • Capsule study
  • MRI of small intestine
Colonoscopy
  • Best timing
    • Capsule study
    • MRI or CT scan limitations
What is Interval Colorectal Cancer?
  • How to avoid it
Colon Cancer
  • Older patient and younger patient risk
Ulcerative Colitis
  • Sources of exacerbations
Diverticular Bleeding
  • What percentage stop spontaneously?
  • Treatment for those who do not subside
Resuming Meds After a BI Bleed
  • How to weigh pros and cons of timing
  • ASA
  • Anticoagulants

Objectives

  1. Identify the risk factors that lead to UGI bleeding.
  2. Recognize the best timing for interventions in UGI and LGI bleeding.
  3. Describe the “best” testing for massive GI bleeding.
  4. Recognize the safe use of anti-platelet and anticoagulation meds post GI bleed.

Target Audience

  • Nurses
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Clinical Nurse Specialists
  • Physician Assistants

Copyright : 06/22/2023

Increased Intracranial Pressure: Diagnosing & Management Tips and Tricks

Neurologic deterioration in a patient can occur rapidly and have devastating consequences. Accordingly, early identification of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) along with swift initiation of lifesaving interventions is critical. The purpose of this session is to provide a framework for identifying the sometimes subtle early signs of increased ICP and understanding the interventions that must follow to prevent herniation and patient death. This will be achieved by providing easy-to-understand intra cranial dynamics, reviewing the patients at highest risk for developing increased ICP and discussing the evidence-based interventions for prevention and treatment of increased ICP.

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Distinguish the main components of the cranial vault.
  2. Analyze the Monro-Kellie hypothesis, compliance and compensation.
  3. Evaluate the neuroscience patient populations at highest risk of increased intracranial pressure.
  4. Differentiate between early and late physiologic signs of increased ICP.
  5. Analyze at least 3 interventions to manage increased ICP.

Outline

  • Quick Neuro Anatomy and Assessment
    • Cerebral cortex, cerebellum and brainstem
    • “A Walk Around the Brain” - LOC, motor, speech, cranial nerves, unconscious patient
  • Cranial Vault
    • Components
    • Monro-Kellie hypothesis/Doctrine
    • Cerebral blood flow
    • Intracranial compliance
  • Intra-Cranial Dynamics
    • Compliance
    • Compensation
  • Increased ICP
    • Pathophysiology
    • High risk patient populations
    • Clinical presentation
    • Diagnostic tests
    • Herniation
  • Management of Increased ICP
    • Osmotic therapy
    • Managing metabolic demand
    • Hyperventilation
    • Promoting venous outflow
    • Extra ventricular drainage
    • BP management
    • Decompressive hemicraniectomy

Target Audience

  • Nurses
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Clinical Nurse Specialists
  • Physician Assistants

Copyright : 11/09/2022