Learning outcomes include:
- Understand the function of the upper and lower respiratory tract.
- Understand normal breathing processes and the impact of respiratory disease.
- Understand the rationale behind the insertion of a tracheostomy tube.
- Knowledge of the different types of tracheostomy tubes and how these can be inserted.
- Understand the principles behind and demonstrate safe techniques of caring for a patient with a tracheostomy tube.
- Recognise the difference between ventilation and respiration.
- Identify reasons why individuals may be ventilated.
- Identify the different types of mechanical ventilation (invasive and NIV).
- Identify the different modes of ventilation.
- Awareness of
- Understand the principles behind and demonstrate safe techniques of caring for a patient who requires ventilatory support.
- Understand the legal and professional issues.
Course content includes
- Anatomy & physiology of the respiratory system.
- Different types of tracheostomy and the major characteristics of each: cuffed, uncuffed and fenestrated.
- Care of a patient with a tracheostomy: cuff pressures, stoma care, humidification, nebulisers, suctioning, changing tapes, speaking, eating and drinking, changing a tracheostomy tube, mouth care, inner tubes.
- What to do if the tube blocks, becomes displaced or falls out.Types of tracheostomy and management.
- Overview of assisting a person who requires assistance to cough.
- Different types of oxygen therapy.
- What is non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and invasive ventilation.
- Reasons for NIV / invasive ventilation.
- Types of NIV (BiPAP / CPAP).
- Types of invasive ventilation.
- Pressure support / volume control.
- Care of a patient (pressure care / mouth care / eye care / stoma care) and equipment.
- Awareness of ‘red flags’ and recognising emergency situations.
- Infection control.
- Communication issues.
- Recording requirements.
- Regulations and policies.