Post Anaesthetic Acute Care

You'll be involved in the assessment, current evidence-based care planning, implementation and evaluation of care for a wide range of patients. You'll develop specialist knowledge and skills for use in these areas by identifying altered physiology following surgical intervention and clinical emergencies. You'll also assess levels of consciousness and pain, and identify and respond to clinical emergencies and post-anaesthetic complications.

Our module provides relevant theoretical input to help you achieve a thorough understanding of the management of the post-anaesthetic patient. You are expected to act as an advocate for patients within the area, to ensure a patient orientated approach to the delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS Plan and other relevant national and local guidelines.

Why study this course
You'll focus strongly on understanding the rationale behind post-operative and acute patient care management, and on evaluating and developing clinical practice. You'll develop your innovation, research and creativity to improve your own service delivery and be able to contribute to the emerging body of underpinning evidence in professional practice.

You'll learn to act as advocate for patients in your clinical area, to ensure a patient-orientated approach to the delivery of care and to meet standards within the NHS Plan and other relevant national and local guidelines.

As part of your course you'll gain specialist vocational qualification including Immediate Life Support (ILS). This professional qualification is accredited by the Resuscitation Council (UK).

Outline content

• Patient assessment (A to E approach)
• Altered anatomy and physiology
• Arterial blood gas analysis
• Intermediate life support (ILS)
• Shock
• Basic cardiac rhythm recognition
• Pain and pain scoring
• Discharge criteria and managing patient transfers
• Airway management
• Fluid and electrolyte balance
• Pharmacology and drug administration
• Homeostasis
• Communication
• Multi-professional team working
• Preparation for qualification and continuing professional development

You’ll be assessed in two ways: a 2000 word written assignment on an NHS constitution service improvement proposal and completion of clinical competencies in practice.