TECH182-0112: Feeding Tubes-Complications and Maintenance

INSTRUCTOR(S): Ann Wortinger, BIS, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM)

COURSE OPEN: January 4-February 4, 2012

REAL TIME SESSIONS (RTS): Wednesdays, January 11, 18 and 25, 2012; 8:00-9:30pm ET (USA)
*please note the session times
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter
Practice Sessions: In order to prepare you for a successful experience in your CE course, we request you attend a practice session prior to the first Real Time Session. Times and dates will be listed in your course confirmation email. Expect to spend up to 1 hour at one of the 2-4 practice sessions held prior to the first Real Time Session.

* The instructor for this course will be using audio which will require you to have a headset or speakers to listen. If you have any concerns regarding your computer's audio capabilities, please be sure to attend a Practice Session.

Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate course is geared toward veterinary technicians, especially those working with critical care patients. Participants should already have a strong grasp of basic nutrition and disease processes.
VSPN CE Course. This course is RACE approved for for veterarians and veterinary technicians.

Course Description:
You have finally gotten a feeding tube in that anorexic patient. What challenges are yet in store for you? This course will cover typical management issues as well as common complications of feeding tubes. Participants will learn how to treat and more importantly how to avoid many of these issues encountered in feeding tube use. This course will also utilize an interactive session to work through actual cases, set up feeding plans and address common complications.

This course will consist of three (3) ninety (90) minute Real Time Sessions, supplemental library materials, interactive message board discussions, a mandatory end-of-course test, and may include online multiple choice quizzes (after each Real Time Session). Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to be considered for a course certificate of completion.
** The lecture portion of this course will be an audio presentation. Please be prepared to listen.

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to

• calculate the caloric needs of the patient utilizing a feeding tube and set up a feeding schedule.
• detect common complications associated with feeding tube use and develop nursing plans to ensure appropriate correction.
• develop home care protocols and counsel clients in care of patients with feeding tubes.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.

Required Texbook(s): There are no required textbooks for this course.

About the Instructor: Ann Wortinger is a published author and has specialty certification in both Emergency Critical Care and Small Animal Internal Medicine. Her experience in general, emergency and specialty practices, as well as an educator at Sanford-Brown College's Veterinary Technology Program, serving as the Program Chairperson, provides solid experience in understanding and instituting nutritional support for patients. She has trained other technicians in nutritional support in a number of venues over the years as well as managed over 400 animals with feeding tubes.

Course Outline:
Week 1 (Real Time Session January 11): Introduction to Feeding Tube Management and Complications
Content: In this session we will cover indications for feeding tube use, the most common types of tubes used, indication for tube usage, mechanical and gastrointestinal complications, and drug/nutrient interactions. Library materials will include a feeding tube calculation handout, food log, and drug/ nutrient interaction handouts to assist in setting up a patient's calculation the amount to be fed and feeding schedule.

Week 2 (Real Time Session January 18): Metabolic and Infectious Complications and Tube Management
Content: This session will continue with complications by looking at metabolic and infectious complication and include hospital management of a feeding tube animals and post-discharge complications.

Week 3 (Real Time Session January 25): Case Studies
Content: The third Real Time Session will be an interactive session (including audio) involving setting up a feeding protocol, instituting the feeding protocol, and management of common complications. Several case scenarios will be presented in this session.

CE HOURS: 4.5

Tuition: $90 ($81 early bird if registered by December 22, 2011).
*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).
** To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first Real Time Session unless otherwise noted. If the first Real Time Session is on a weekend, course will close on the Friday before the first Real Time Session.

**For more on how online CE works see the Participant Resource Center

1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
2. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
3. Each person is individually responsible for his/her own registration. To ensure that all information received is secure and correct, please do not enroll for a course on behalf of another individual.
4. For further assistance call 1-800-700-INFO (4636) or email (VIN CE) CEonVIN@vin.com or (VSPN CE) VSPNCE@vspn.org). Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.

Note: "This course has been approved for 4.5 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: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN/VSPN office 1-800-700-INFO (4636) to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.
**Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN/VSPN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).

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** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out https://www.vin.com/CE/VSPN/VSPN_M02231.htm

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

VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881 or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01452226154
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
Jennifer Withrow (Jennifer@vspn.org); ext 159
Nanette Walker Smith (Nanette@vspn.org); ext 187

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