TECH177-0110 : Fundamentals of Small Animal Anesthesia Module 1

INSTRUCTOR:
Darci Palmer, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia) and Brenda Feller, CVT, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia)

DATES:
January 6-February 12, 2010
Real Time Sessions: Tuesday evenings, January 12, 19, 26, and February 2, 2010; 9:00pm-10:30pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is module 1 of a 2 module course designed to provide the foundation principles of canine and feline anesthesia. The series will present a systematic approach to anesthesia case management starting with the basic essentials in module 1 and ending with anesthetic complications in module 2. Participants will be exposed to a multitude of case scenarios that will help them manage anesthesia more efficiently. At the end of the series the participant will be prepared to collaborate with their veterinarian on the development of an anesthesia protocol that is tailored to meet the specific needs of the patient.

Darci Palmer has been working specifically in anesthesia since 2001. The majority of her experience comes from working in a university setting where her primary duties were to assist in the instruction of 4th year veterinary students during their anesthesia rotation. Brenda Feller, as a student at Michigan State University developed an interest in anesthesia. After graduation she worked in a general practice for a few years before moving on to the Anesthesia Department at the University of Illinois Veterinary College. Here she honed her skills and anesthesia became a passion. She has furthered her interest at a specialty practice where her main focus has been anesthesia and pain management.

All members of the veterinary support staff may join the course and its discussions; however, this course is focused towards the technician who routinely deals with anesthesia case management. Veterinarians are highly encouraged to enroll with their veterinary technicians to work as a team in anesthesia. Module 1 is a required prerequisite for Module 2 to help insure a complete understanding of the basic principles of anesthesia before learning how to develop an anesthesia protocol. These modules are approved CE for those applicants applying for their VTS (Anesthesia).

Upon completion of this course participants will be able to discuss and interpret

• the anesthesia machine, its parts, and understand its function.
• the ventilator, its parts and function, including proper set up.
• the importance of protecting the airway during general anesthesia.
• proper intubation and extubation techniques and their complications.
• equipment used in monitoring anesthesia, the settings and interpretation of the readings.
• the importance of gathering information necessary to formulate an anesthesia protocol.
• pre-operative considerations such as fluid therapy, IV catheterization, and fasting.
• intra-operative considerations and the ability to be prepared.
• special patient specific considerations.

TEXTBOOKS: There are no required texts for this course; however, the instructors will include a recommend list of texts in the course area library.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1: Anesthesia Machine and Ventilators
Content: In the initial week we will concentrate on the parts of the anesthesia machine including an in depth discussion about function and proper use, selecting the appropriate breathing system, setting up and pressure checking the machine. We will also cover the parts and function of a ventilator as well as specific terminology associated with ventilators and ventilation.

Week 2: Airway Management
Content: We will cover in depth discussion on the types, parts and function of endotracheal tubes; advantages of utilizing an endotracheal tube; selecting the proper endotracheal tube; steps for intubation and proper cuff inflation; extubation and complications that can arise; alternative techniques for intubation; complications from intubation; and cleaning and storage of endotracheal tubes.

Week 3: Monitoring and the Anesthesia Record
Content: The importance of monitoring a patient under anesthesia and the purpose of an anesthesia record are essential for proper patient care. We will include discussion on the types of monitoring equipment available to assess the central nervous system, cardiovascular and respiratory systems as well as miscellaneous parameters and how to interpret what the numbers are saying. Finally, we will cover the limitations of monitoring equipment and the assessment of post-operative pain.

Week 4: Pre-operative Period
Content: In this last week we will take an in depth look at what information should be gathered about the patient in order to formulate an anesthesia protocol and how to determine ASA status. Pre-operative considerations such as fluid therapy, IV catheterization, and fasting will be reviewed. Intra-operative considerations and patient specific considerations that relate to specific breeds or age of the patient will complete this week.

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: 6

TUITION:
$120 ($108 early bird special if registered before December 23, 2009).
*Enroll in both Modules before January 12, 2010 and receive a 15% discount off the regular course 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: Enrollment will be closed when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first real time session

**The Participant's Resource Center includes all you need to know about online CE with VIN and VSPN.

TO REGISTER:

1. Each person must individually be a registered member of VSPN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free.
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.
5. VIN Member veterinarians ARE ELIGIBLE to take this course, we are requesting RACE accreditation for both veterinarians and veterinary technicians. **Please access the course enrollment through www.vspn.org/CE.

Note: "This course has been submitted for approval of 6 continuing education credits in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Call VSPN CE at 1-800-700-4636 for further information." (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by 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 VSPN or 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 withdraw retroactively.
Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).

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

Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator

VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org); ext 193
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197
Darci Palmer (Darci@vspn.org); ext 179
Debbie Bess (DBess@vspn.org); ext 178
Nanette Walker Smith (Nanette@vspn.org); ext 187

[ CE MAIN | COURSE CATALOG | RACE/GETTING CREDITS | ONLINE CE HOW TO | SUGGEST A COURSE | VIN MAIN ]

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