VSPN TECH326-0321: Mechanical Ventilation: An In-Depth Guide

The real time sessions for this course will be presented via Zoom webinar platform.

Presenters: Guillaume Hoareau, DVM, PhD, DACVECC, DECVECC and Scarlette Donovan, BA, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia, Diagnostic Imaging, Emergency & Critical Care)
Course Open: March 2, 2021-April 9, 2021
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Tuesdays, March 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2021; 9:00-10:30pm ET (USA)    World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 6
RACE Category: 6 hours Medical

Enrollment is closed.

Course Information:
This course is designed to explore the principles of providing long-term mechanical ventilation in the critical care setting. The participant will gain a solid foundation in this invasive treatment modality through an in-depth discussion of respiratory physiology, indications for and initiating ventilation, use of the mechanical ventilator, and nursing care for ventilated patients. This course is best suited for staff members with a ventilator in their practice or those with an interest in mechanical ventilation in critically ill dogs and cats.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to:
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of respiratory physiology.
  • Outline the criteria for initiating mechanical ventilation.
  • Understand the common modes and settings of a critical care ventilator.
  • Illustrate the setup and maintenance of a patient on the mechanical ventilator.
  • Provide gold-standard nursing care to critical patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.
Level and Prerequisites: This advanced VSPN CE course will be open for enrollment to veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists actively interested in emergency stabilization of unstable patients, intensive care for patients under respiratory support, anesthesia of critically ill animals, and teamwork.

RACE Accreditation: This program has been approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval. (20-806014)

Course Agenda:

Week 1 (Real Time Session March 9): Essentials of Respiration and Indication for Mechanical Ventilation
This session will introduce the basis of respiratory physiology that will help understand the indication and management of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. This will be a practical approach to better understand oxygenation and ventilation. This will also help later discussion around arterial blood gas analysis.

Week 2 (Real Time Session March 16): Instituting Mechanical Ventilation
This session will provide an overview of instituting mechanical ventilation in a critical care setting. It will discuss anesthetic protocols to facilitate ventilation as well as ventilator setup. The importance of organization and teamwork when initiating ventilation is also explored.

Week 3 (Real Time Session March 23): Patient Management and Troubleshooting
After patients have been placed on mechanical ventilation there is a host of parameters to monitor. Those patients can rapidly deteriorate, cautious monitoring is important to recognize problems early and intervene appropriately. We will review important aspects of patient and ventilator management.

Week 4 (Real Time Session March 30): Nursing Care of the Mechanically Ventilated Patient
Patients undergoing mechanical ventilation require intensive nursing care to support their needs. An attentive caregiver can quickly recognize indicators of improvement or decline and minimize or even prevent many patient complications. This session will provide an in-depth discussion about the elements of gold-standard nursing care for critically ill patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.

Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course. To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.
Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course.

Enrollment is closed.

Tuition: $126 ($113 early bird special if enrolled by February 16, 2021)
Prices are listed in US dollars.

* Students currently enrolled in an AVMA accredited or CVMA 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 on March 9, 2021 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached.

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

To Enroll:
  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. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext.792 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.

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 office 800-846-0028 ext. 792 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

*For more information on VSPN's upcoming CE courses, check the VSPN Course Catalog.

Lisa Kernaghan, LVT, RVT, CVT, VTS (ECC)
VSPN CE Coordinator

VSPN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 792
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357