This EPICCNZ programme (Elearning Programme Induction in Critical Care New Zealand) is available for any staff working in adult critical care. It introduces you to the principles of critical care and equips you with knowledge needed in the first few months of your new role.
Audience
All
Time allocation
Varies between each module, check the module pages for times
There is much to learn about critical care and before we get into the clinical detail, this module helps you understand more about this speciality.
Audience
Any health professional new to critical care or needing a refresher
Time allocation
1 hour
A systematic assessment is undertaken at the start of the shift. It includes a safety check of key equipment around the bed space together with a head-to-toe patient assessment. By conducting this comprehensive baseline assessment, ideally within the first hour after handover, changes in the patient’s condition can be identified promptly.
Audience
Any health professional new to critical care or needing a refresher
Time allocation
1 hour
One of the challenges of working in critical care is learning to balance the many complex needs of critically unwell patients. Meeting the fundamental care needs of the patient and the patient’s whānau while working in a technological environment is a key skill.
Audience
Any health professional new to critical care or needing a refresher
Time allocation
1 hour
Medications are used to support organ and body system functions and to deliver targeted critical care interventions e.g. antibiotics. Commonly used types of medications include sedation, analgesia, neuromuscular blockers, vasoactive agents and insulin.
Audience
Any health professional new to critical care or needing a refresher
Time allocation
1 hour
Many patients in critical care will require respiratory support. This module covers respiratory physiology and clinical knowledge that is core to critical care.
Audience
Any health professional new to critical care or needing a refresher
Time allocation
2 hours
Critically ill patients often have haemodynamic compromise. Cardiovascular management incorporates assessment, monitoring and interventions. Medications are often used to support cardiac function, and are therefore a key focus for this module.
Audience
Any health professional new to critical care or needing a refresher
Time allocation
2 hours
Caring for a patient with a neurological problem can be demanding. Neurological changes can occur rapidly and be life-threatening. Care and management requires meticulous observation and a high level of skill to support patients and whānau.
Audience
Any health professional new to critical care or needing a refresher
Time allocation
1 hour
Renal disease is common in critical care. Given the central function of kidneys in maintaining homeostasis, renal injury impacts on key physiological functions. As outlined in this module, close monitoring and specific interventions are important in renal disease, with prevention of renal injury being paramount. This module also focusses on gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. Patients in critical care commonly have GI dysfunction, they also may be admitted post GI surgery or complications related to GI cancer or other diseases such as pancreatitis, liver failure, DKA, or GI infections.
Audience
Any health professional new to critical care or needing a refresher
Time allocation
1 hour
This module provides information about specific patient populations who may need critical care. Each sections focuses on one particular patient group including care of the patient with sepsis, trauma and burns patients, paediatric patients, long term patients, cardiothoracic patients and obstetric patients.
Audience
Any health professional new to critical care or needing a refresher
Time allocation
1 hour