TECH136-0107 : ECG - Electrocardiography Module 1 - Basic Interpretation

INSTRUCTOR:
Dianne Hudson, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia)

DATES:
January 4 - February 2, 2007
Real Time Sessions: Tuesday evenings, January 9, 16, and 23; 9:00pm-10:30pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This is module 1 of a two part course designed to provide a basic knowledge of electrocardiograph (ECG) interpretation. Participants completing both modules of this course will be exposed to the basic elements of ECG interpretation (Lead II) including a review of the conduction system of the heart, the ECG/EKG waveform, normal rhythms and cardiac arrhythmias.

Module 1 consists of three (3) real time interactive sessions of ninety (90) minutes each covering discussion of situations; homework reinforcing the handouts and real time sessions; interactive message boards to discuss the real time sessions and homework; and an online final exam. In addition, multiple choice homework quizzes will be given online each week; the goal of the homework is to test the participant's knowledge of the material covered discussed in each session and presented in the handouts.

All members of the veterinary support staff may join the course and its discussions; however, this course is focused toward veterinary technicians and veterinary technician students. Module 1 and Module 2 should both be taken to insure a complete basic understanding of ECG interpretation in the anesthesia, emergency and critical care patient.

Upon completion of TECH136-0107 participants will be able to understand and discuss

• the components of the ECG waveform and its origin.
• how to perform an ECG on anesthesia and/or emergency patients
• the problems which can cause artifacts on the ECG recording.
• a normal ECG recording including rhythm, rate, and waveforms.

Overall Goal: Describe and understand the components of the ECG waveform and its origin.

TEXTBOOKS: There are no required texts for this course; however, the instructor recommends the following:

• Tilley, L. P. & Burtnick, N. L. (1999). ECG for the Small Animal Practitioner. Teton NewsMedia. This text can be purchased from the VIN Store: https://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=82190&c=19524

COURSE OUTLINE:
Week 1: Circulation and the Conduction System
Content: We will start this module with coverage of the anatomy of the heart, movement of blood, and the conduction system including the properties of the cardiac muscle. We will also begin discussion of the electrocardiogram (ECG) and its significance in veterinary medicine.

Week 2: Recording ECG
Content: This week we cover ECG lead placement, patient handling, and how to minimize artifacts. We'll look at ECG paper and standardization (What do all those boxes mean?) and learn how to calculate the heart rate as well as amplitude significance on the wave forms.

Week 3: What's normal for our canine and feline patients?
Content: We will start applying what we have learned about the ECG by looking at normal ECG recordings (especially heart rates and waveforms) for canine and feline patients and begin to compare them to abnormal recordings. Specifically, we will review normal sinus rhythms and normal variations such as sinus arrhythmia and sinus tachycardia.

LIBRARY MATERIALS:
Library materials will be made available prior to the topic week so participants will have plenty of time to prepare for the real time sessions and discussion.

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSIONS:
Message board discussions regarding the topic presented will begin on the day the course opens and continue for one week following the last real time session. These discussions will be held in the VSPN CE course area.

CE HOURS: 4.5

TUITION:
$83 ($75 early bird special if registered before December 21, 2006)
* Enroll in both ECG Moduless before January 9, 2007 and receive a 15% discount off the regular tuition price
* Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status). You must include the following information in the comments section of the CE enrollment form in order to be eligible for this discount: your program director's name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.

** NOTE: Registration will be closed when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first real time session.

** Minimal computer requirements for participating in VSPN and VPSNCE

** Click on "How To's of Online CE" and "Polices & Procedures" for more on how our online CE works

TO REGISTER:

1. Each enrollee must individually be a registered member of VSPN or VIN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free; VIN membership includes VSPN membership.
2. To enroll in any VSPN CE course click on the ENROLL NOW link below the course title on the right side of the page at www.vspn.org/CE
3. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. This is our major form of communication with participants. It is highly recommended that course participants use their own, personal emails rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
4. VIN Member veterinarians SHOULD NOT register for their staff. Please have the staff member register through VSPN. Please email VSPNCE@vspn.org if you have questions.

Note: "This program was submitted (but not yet approved) to the AAVSB's RACE program for continuing education. Please contact the AAVSB's RACE program at race@aavsb.org should you have any comments/suggestions regarding this program's validity or relevance to the veterinary profession." (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition their board.)

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COURSE WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY: Withdrawal prior to the listed start date of a course entitles the registrant to a complete refund or a credit toward a future VIN CE course, whichever is preferred. Withdrawal within 1 week after the listed start date (i.e. including no more than one real-time session) entitles the registrant to a credit toward any future VIN CE course. (Does not apply to courses with only one real-time session.) After the first real-time session, a registrant may withdraw due to special circumstances and receive prorated credit towards a future VIN course. These requests will be handled on an individual basis. The amount of the prorated credit will be determined based on 65% of the time remaining in the course at the time of withdrawal. It is not possible to withdrawal retroactively. Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO.

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Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator
VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-700-4636 ext 187

Ginger Sanders
VSPN CE Services
(Ginger@vspn.org)
1-800-700-4636 ext 183

*** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out www.vspn.org/CE

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